FORMER Hawthorn captain Richie Vandenberg has been handed a key football department role with the club, who have also added ex-AFL umpire Tim Shearer to their board.

Vandenberg played 145 games in brown and gold from 1998-2007, and is best remembered for copping a six-week suspension for his part in the infamous "Line in the sand" clash against Essendon in '04. 

He was also the first skipper under Alastair Clarkson, taking the reins in 2005 when Shane Crawford stepped down, and helped turn the club's fortunes around.

The 41-year-old, who joined the board in late 2016, moves into the chairman of the football subcommittee position, once occupied by club legend Jason Dunstall during Jeff Kennett's first stint as president. 

"Richie is a very astute follower of the game and has been well trained in the challenges facing the whole football department," Kennett wrote in a letter to members. 

"He has great personal values and is a very successful businessman. So, while chair of the football subcommittee he also brings other important skills to the table." 

Ex-players Andy Gowers and Bruce Stevenson have resigned from their positions, leaving Vandenberg as the only board member to have worn the brown and gold.

The Hawks have also appointed Shearer to the board. Shearer is the Director of Development and Foundation Executive Director at Scotch College.