In 1916 the future Australian Test Captain Bill Woodfull played for the Bombers and over the years the club is proud to have produce a long list of 1^st Class and Test Players. Early history includes names such as Harry Alexander & Ken Meuleman and of course Woodfull himself.  In the 1960’s it was John Swanson (with fielding before his time), John Grant (the Duel Ryder medallist) and Keith Kirby (still today Cricket Victoria’s highest Wicket taker). Later it was John Agnew, Gary Cosier who played 18 Tests, the Australian batter and Vic Keeper Richie Robinson.  Grame Ross, Top order-batsman Peter Young and the hard nosed baggy green opener Paul Hibbert.

Then a wealth of young talent in the 80’s flooded through under Hibbert’s leadership when Jamie Siddons (Sheffied Shield’s highest run scorer) learnt the art of batting on Windy Hill, Simon O’Donnell would clear the Cookson stand, Peter McIntire spun them for the Aussies and Allan Mulally thought he was a white west Indian before returning to England and wearing the 3 lions cap.

More recently the Bomber’s crown jewel has been the big hearted red head from Broadford called Mathew Inness who ripped through the West Indies twice in a fortnight back in 2001.  Taking 6/26 both times most experts had penciled him in for a baggy green before now.  Matty has taken over 200 1^st Class wickets as we follow his progress this year in WA. 

Vickran Solanki played with the 1^st XI only a few years ago, with excellent skills displaying why he now plays a big role in England’s one-day side. 

Both representation and ‘Group’ success are what we are all measured by and with 18 team in Premier Cricket it is as tough as any competition in the land to play finals.  The 60’s were a golden era with Club Championships, finals and Premiership in all XI coming yearly.  Hibbert’s dream team came within a single victory from silverware in the 80’s and only 5 years ago a young group produced a 2ndXI Premiership and played 1^st XI finals in 3 out of 4 years to represent the club in the prestigious Grand Final at the Albert Ground. 

There has been no bigger period of development recorded in the club’s 134 year history that matches the last 3 years that has seen Essendon Cricket Club undergo an array of Capital works for the players to benefit from.
These include:
 
1. New Training wickets
2. New Secure Car Park
3. New Square Table
4. New Outfield
5. New Club Uniforms
6. 2 New Covers
7. New Club Fielding Coach
8. New Club History Area
9. our New Change Rooms
10. and of course our New Bar Area that we are all proud to call home.

Let us not forget, that throughout all this proud history and big developments pushing this club to great heights, it is the people who make a great club.  People who are proud, people who contribute and people that build the Bomber spirit.