Essendon Football Club was saddened to hear of the recent passing of club stalwart and former player Alan Thaw at the age of 81. Thaw played 41 games for Essendon between 1949 and 1954. He was a member of the 1949 Premiership side where he played in a back pocket and was part of a brilliant defensive unit that kept Carlton to six goals.

But it was as a coach that Thaw made an exceptional contribution to this football club. He was reserves’ coach from 1955 to 1959. He then took over the club’s under 19 team and he coached them from 1960 until 1976. He coached the team to Premierships in 1961 and 1966. In total he spent 22 consecutive seasons in a coaching capacity at the Club.

The Essendon Football Club passes on its deepest sympathies to Alan’s family and friends.