Essendon Football Club has appointed a new board member with Melissa Green set to join the board for the first time.

Chairman Lindsay Tanner announced the news at the club’s annual general meeting on Monday night and said Green’s experience in digital and social media will be “particularly valuable”.

Green is currently the Head of Melbourne Agency and Government at Facebook and is also a member of the Essendon Executive Club and Women’s Network coterie groups.

“As a club we want to anticipate the needs of fans, members and sponsors, and embracing the emerging world of social media will enhance this,” Tanner said.

“Melissa’s skills will also help us develop deeper partnerships with our key sponsors and greater value for our fans as we better understand the opportunity of utilising digital and social media to deliver powerful marketing solutions.”

Green said it was “like a childhood dream” to be able to join Essendon’s board.

“To think that growing up I’d sit on the outer and wasn’t even allowed to play little league and here I am now, a part of the Essendon Football Club, it’s a great privilege,” Green said.

The lifelong Bombers supporter said she is looking forward to being a part of the team as the side pushes for its 17th premiership.

“It’s just incredible to be a part of the club,” she said.

“It’s the next chapter of the Essendon comeback story, so I feel like there are some really good days ahead for the club.”

Green will join recently-elected member Sean Wellman on the board for the first time.