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ESSENDON chairman Paul Little has labelled Tuesday's anti-doping verdict as the "start of the return" for the Bombers after three seasons marred by the club's 2012 supplements program.
In the club's first reaction to the clearing of 34 past and present players, Little addressed the club's members in a video message, labelling the verdict "wonderful news".
He said the club now felt "the burden and the pressure has been lifted off our shoulders".
"It's a very emotional time for many of us," Little said.
"There's been a lot of effort, a lot of time and a lot of passion put into the events of the last two to three years.
"We hope it brings closure for our players and importantly their families.
"The club is pleased with today's verdict and hope it signals these matters are now behind us all.
"Today marks the start of the return for our proud club."
Little said the club would not back away from its governance failings in 2012, which resulted in a $2 million fine, expulsion from the 2013 finals series and heavy draft sanctions.
"A number of times over the past two years I have expressed the Essendon football club's sincere regret for the 2012 supplements program and the uncertainty and stress it has caused for all of our staff and players," he said.
"I reiterate those sentiments today.
"We have learned many lessons and we are also confident that the actions taken by the club will ensure our players can never be put in this position again."
Little also backed the club's "great coach", James Hird, who was banned for the 2014 season.
He said it was time for the Bombers to "make our people proud and for the Essendon faithful to again be proud to don the sash".
