Essendon Football Club would like to extend its deepest condolences to the Gardiner family, following the sad passing of premiership player Les Gardiner, aged 89.

A member of the 1946, 1949 and 1950 premiership teams, Gardiner was part of the Bombers post war golden era.

Teammate Jack Jones said the Essendon family had lost a great person.

'He was a champion bloke and a champion player,' Jones said

'Playing off a half back flank or in the midfield he was always one of the first bloke picked in the team. He was a beautiful drop kick and a wonderful mark'

Gardiner played 168 games between 1943 and 1952.