Essendon Football Club is saddened by the death of former player Bill Pearson, who passed away yesterday, aged 88.

A member of the Bombers 1946 premiership team, Pearson will be remembered as one of Essendon’s greatest players.

Premiership teammate and schoolmate Jack Jones said Pearson was a true champion.

“He was a great player in all aspects of the game, he had all the skills and a beautiful long drop kick,” Jones said

Pearson played 51 games from 1945 to 1947 before his career was cruelly cut short by injury.

“If Bill hadn’t been forced into retirement because of a knee injury, I have no doubt we would have won far more premierships,” he said

As well as being an Essendon hero, Pearson is a member of the greyhound Hall Of Fame, for services to the greyhound industry.

There are just five living members of the 1942 and 1946 Essendon Premiership teams.

 Ted Leehane (aged 87) – 1942 Harold Lambert (88), Les Gardiner (87), George Hassell (87) and Jack Jones (86) – all 1946.

Essendon Football Club would like to extend its condolences to the Pearson family.

The funeral will be held on Friday December 10th at St Michaels Church, North Melbourne at 2pm.