The Essendon Association Football Club were an Australian rules football club which played in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) from 1900 until 1921. The 'Dreadnoughts', who wore black and red, played their home games at the Essendon Recreation Ground. They were also known by the name Essendon Town during their time in the league and by the abbreviated Essendon 'A'.

[edit] History

The club was formed as Essendon Town in 1900 and joined the VFA that year. Essendon already had a team which competed in the Victorian Football League but many locals protested that they were based at East Melbourne instead of Essendon. The Essendon Town Football Club came about as a result, a side which would play their home games in the district.

A winless season in 1903 meant that they took home their first wooden spoon and in 1905 the club officially changed their name to Essendon Association.

Their most successful period came between 1908 and 1914 when they competed in the finals each year and won back to back premierships in 1911 and 1912. Interestingly, these were the same two years which the VFL's Essendon were premiers. In the 1912 premiership season, Essendon Association's full-forward Dave McNamara became the first VFA footballer to kick over 100 goals in a season.

When the VFL team relocated to Essendon Recreation Ground in 1922, the Dreadnoughts were forced to merge with North Melbourne.

[edit] Honours

VFA Premierships (2)

• 1911, 1912

[edit] References

• Full Points Footy: Essendon Town/Essendon Association

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