Dear members and supporters

Thanks for the phone calls, letters, emails and text messages of support that have been flooding into the Club over the past months and particularly in recent days.

In addition to your strong support, another clear and consistent message is that you want these matters brought to a conclusion as soon as possible.

The Board and everyone at the Club is listening to you and we share your view.

The ongoing controversy is harmful to our players and their families, our officials, the Club, other AFL clubs and the AFL itself.

Despite the events of recent days, we believe these matters can be resolved before too long.

At yesterday's meeting of AFL Club Chairmen and Presidents, I stressed we wanted matters resolved… but also that matters need to be concluded in a fair manner with charges and penalties that reflect the Club's actual failings and the evidence.

We have made mistakes in terms of governance and people management, and we apologise for them. We also accept there will be AFL sanctions as a consequence…but the evidence does not extend to drug cheating, and we're working to ensure that the charges and ultimate penalties reflect this.

Thanks for your support of our players, our officials and the Board through these difficult times.

In addition to thanking those of us who take memberships year-in and year-out, in particular I'd like to thank and welcome our new members who’ve signed up during 2013 in record numbers .

We're all part of Essendon's large and growing family. Our family extends far and wide and together we will come through these tough times stronger, wiser and in a position to build on our 140-year history.

We will keep you updated with any developments over the coming days.

Go Bombers!

Paul Little
Chairman