Club legend Jack Jones recently celebrated his 90^th birthday with many of his closest friends from Essendon on hand to surprise him at the True Value Solar Centre.

The club held a surprise party for the three-time premiership player who reached the magical milestone on November 7.

Essendon Director Jo-Anne Albert played a significant role in organising the birthday bash for the 90-year-old who is loved by all at the Essendon Football Club. Jones ran through a specially-made 1940s replica ‘woven’ style banner, created by Essendon cheer-squad coordinators Luisa Gaetano and Glenda Wade. Dick Reynolds Committee member John Della also generously contributed printed replicas of the 1950 VFL Grand Final Record and caricature headshots.

Current player Alex Browne, who wears the same number (24) Jones wore during his playing days, was also on hand to toast the Essendon legend.

Jones said he was blown away by the love shown by his friends at the football club.

“It was a lovely surprise. It was incredibly humbling to walk in to the club and have so many wonderful people there celebrating my birthday,” Jones said.

“My wife Mary and I had a terrific afternoon and I am just so grateful to my friends at the club that they would put on a party for me.”

Jones played 175 games for Essendon between 1946 and 1954. He played in 133 consecutive games – a feat no Essendon player has ever bettered and never played in the seconds, missing senior games only through injury. He played during one of the club’s golden eras alongside club champions including Dick Reynolds, John Coleman and Bill Hutchison. He played in seven grand finals and was a member of the 1946, 1949 and 1950 premiership sides.