The Essendon family continues to stand strong with the Club today surpassing 50,000 members in record time.

CEO, Xavier Campbell, said to have signed 50,000 members a week earlier than last year was a significant achievement.

“We are thrilled to reach 50,000 members,” Campbell said. “Our members have and always will, play a crucial role in the development of the Club. They make us stronger; they motivate us everyday to work harder and be better.

"It is really encouraging for the Club to be at record membership levels at this time of year and we are really hopeful of reaching 60,000 members once again.

We are so grateful for the incredible loyalty and unwavering support of our members. We believe that with their strength and passion to stand up, we are heading in the right direction for the future of this great Club.”

Senior Coach, John Worsfold, also extended his thanks to all those who have signed up for the 2016 season.

“We’ve crashed through 50,000 members and we are so pleased to have everyone on board for the exciting year ahead.”

Essendon Football Club is in on the home-stretch of its Dons at your Door membership campaign visiting every EFC member across the country to personally say ‘thank you!’

“The road show has let our members know they're not just another number, we really appreciate and value their support and we're pleased that we've been able to thank them personally through this initiative,” Campbell said.

Essendon will also invite its past players and call on its supporters to rally behind the Club and Make a Stand for the future at the Bombers first home game of the season against Melbourne in Round 2 at the MCG.

For those that can’t make it to the game, a social media initiative will showcase fans around the world making a stand for the Club they love.

Members and supporters are also encouraged to #DonThe Sash and #BackOurBoys on Friday 18 March at the Club’s open training session at the True Value Solar Centre at 9.45AM.