Past and present Essendon players and staff have paid tribute to one of the club’s favourite personalities.

John ‘Killer’ Kilby is celebrating his 50^th year at the Bombers. 

Coach James Hird made the presentation on behalf of the club and thanked ‘Killer’ for his service and loyalty.

“We all love ‘Killer’ for the person he is,” Hird said.

“He’s been an excellent Essendon person, he carries the tradition on.

“Players come and go but someone like ‘Killer’ stays and then passes the tradition to the next person.”

Kilby started working at Essendon as a trainer in 1965. 

He was head trainer for the back-to-back flags in 1984 and 1985 and premiership ruckman Simon Madden credits Kilby with keeping him on the field.

“I had a very bad back injury and was told by the specialist I needed to take 12 months off,” Madden said.

“’Killer’ suggested I see a different specialist and I was playing within three weeks.

“He’s a very wise old man. 

Essendon’s 2000 premiership forward Scott Lucas said Kilby has played an important educational role because of the vast amount of players and coaches he had seen first hand.

“He is what a football club is all about,” Lucas said.

“He, more than anyone, has seen so many generations of players because he’s been here and involved for 50 years.

“You can learn so much from people like that because of what they’ve seen.”

Premiership player now Essendon Director, Chris Heffernan said ‘Killer’s’ role cannot be understated.

“He’s a down to earth and humble guy who always puts the club first,” he said.

“He grew up watching Coleman and then he worked with Clarke, Fraser and Epis.

“He was here through the 80’s and 2000’s, so I think it’s great he links all of those generations.”