News

Hird excited about Bombers new base

Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon coach James Hird has urged all Bombers fans to support the club's Flight Plan initiative on the day construction began on the new high performance facility at Melbourne Airport.

Watch the Hird interview here on Bomber TV →

“For our members there is the Flight Plan which any little bit of money towards would really help in our players having the facilities that will get us hopefully to be the number one team again,” Hird said.

“I think the club has done a great job in raising the money so far through corporate support, from the state government, the federal government and some donors who have donated a lot of money."

To donate to the Flight Plan click here.

Hird has little doubt the Bombers new high performance centre will rival that of other clubs in the league.

"It is a very exciting time and everyone at the football club realises we are a long way off the facilities that the other 17 clubs in the AFL have,” he said.

“We used to have the best facilities 10-12 years ago but unfortunately time moves on and we don’t have now so it will be great to come out here, set up a new base.”

“Currently we are training at Victoria Park, Collingwood's old home ground and they don’t even use it as their first home ground so it is a bit ridiculous but it is great to now have a facility that we can call our own.”

Fans are welcome to contribute to the Flight Plan fundraising initiative for the new high performance facility by clicking here.

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Gotta love Hirdy. I remember how much I loved him as a player when I was a kid and sometimes I still can't believe he's the coach! It makes you proud to be an Essendon supporter! GO BOMBERS!!!!!

- Toryn Kasa (posted 1/02/2012 5:59:05 PM)

good to see jimmy and jobe on ten news we are moving 4ward from the old windy hill oval with the old stands and old wooden seats

- MARK JONES (posted 1/02/2012 6:20:36 PM)

You still give off that aura Hirdy!love it that you coach EFC club-NO MATTER WHAT.Still ever the superstar and ultimate professional.

- Mark Elze (posted 1/02/2012 6:38:55 PM)

....AND Happy birthday Hirdy for Saturday!I always remember,'cos it's my birthday too!!lol.

- Mark Elze (posted 1/02/2012 6:46:53 PM)

Well said Toryn, couldn't have said it better myself. Just the thought of Hirdy is leading our troops to our next flag, makes my day.

- Mushal Nisthar (posted 1/02/2012 7:43:27 PM)

Let's get out of Victoria Park, I squirm to think the boys are there training. I did my stint there in 1958 under Neil Mann, and my heart was with the Bombers then & always will be whatever.Flight Plan here we come, I have kicked in, have you? I will do more when I can. Go Great Bombers.

- Graeme Coad (posted 1/02/2012 9:30:02 PM)

Looking for omens? We move to East Melbourne in the 1880's and by the 1890's are the most powerful club in the country with 4 consecutive flags. Move to Windy Hill 1921 and win flags in 1923/4. Move to MCG in 1991 and win flag 1993. Move to Docklands 2000 and win flag. History shows that premierships are linked to our most bold and courageous decisions.

- Wesley Hull (posted 1/02/2012 9:33:11 PM)

This new facility will definitely improve the Essendon brand, by making us more of a highly professional modern club, and it will greatly increase our chances of sustained success. But it has to be paid for, so if you haven't made a donation yet, please do what Hirdy wants, and give what you can, when you can.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 1/02/2012 10:35:39 PM)

The sobering reality is that we have lagged behind most of our competition with regard to facilities for far too long, so the onus is on all Bomber fans to commit what they can to this magnificent, exciting project...

- Dennis Green (posted 2/02/2012 11:07:43 AM)

@ Graeme C.. you raise an interesting point, one I have thought often. Re: where a players' emotions rest if they have always supported other teams, e.g. eagles/ collingwood, how difficult is it to shift loyalty if you emotionally supported another team all your life, we have seen the heart Dyson has put into playing for Bombers (supported them his whole life)would be keen to get comments on this. Cheers Gail

- Gail Taylor (posted 2/02/2012 11:27:50 AM)

Your photographer should really give his lens a clean.

- Michael Walters (posted 2/02/2012 2:54:14 PM)

Hird is excited about our new venue. Its a pity a majority of our supporters/ members are not as excited or else we would have raised that $ 5 mil by now.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 2/02/2012 10:01:02 PM)

Gail T. I found I had no heart for Collingwood. I had been invited to train we them, but my emotional attachment was to the Bombers. My old school mate John Somerville had gone to the Bombers, and I had no real passion at Collongwood. I really do not know how the boys handle it today, when they are not playing with the team they have always felt part of. I guess the full time career footballer today has more chance of bonding with team mates and coaches, than we had, as football was very much a part time situation in that era. Cheers.

- Graeme Coad (posted 2/02/2012 10:42:10 PM)

I know we will have upgraded to new facilities,when I see a lock on the womens toilets.Then we will surely have upgraded.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 3/02/2012 8:44:40 AM)

I'm Excited. Kaz.!

- Karen Tempany (posted 3/02/2012 9:32:52 AM)

Might be a dream come come true for a kid to play for the club he has always supported, but that hasn't stopped Bomber (ex-Carlton supporter "Bomba" Thompson) or Lloydy (ex-Lion fan) from being greats of the club.

- alec shiffman (posted 3/02/2012 1:47:49 PM)

Yes bobby you should be excited... the boost you promised to the fund with that zero had your mark all over it.. Compliments to all your mates who helped,and enjoy your hot chocolate with yourself err KT... Go Bombers !!!

- Noel Shields (posted 3/02/2012 3:15:52 PM)

Come on Bombers fans. If there are 50,000 paid members we only need to put in $100 each and that's the $5,000,000 done and dusted.... Easily done, let's just get it done and get back to premiership glory

- Cameron Adam (posted 8/02/2012 12:01:01 AM)