KEVIN Sheedy is officially a Legend of the Essendon Football Club after being formally inducted into the club's Hall of Fame on Tuesday night.
Sheedy, who coached Essendon to four Premierships in his 27-years at the helm, became the club's 17th Legend.
Essendon chairman Ray Horsburgh formally inducted Sheedy saying he had an enormous impact on the club.
"Essendon places great value on its heritage and tradition and it's important we recognise the people that have made this club great," Horsburgh said.
"From Alex McCracken and Bill Cookson through to the likes of Jack Clarke and Dick Reynolds - they have all made an enormous contribution but it is arguable that none have had a greater impact than Kevin Sheedy.
"He is indeed a legend of this club and it is with great pleasure that we induct him into the Hall of Fame."
An emotional Sheedy said it had been a privilege to coach the club he supported as child.
"In the end you have to say your dreams were pretty much fulfilled to be able to coach the team you barracked for at a young age," Sheedy said.
"So I appreciate being inducted as a Legend in the Essendon Hall of Fame from my upbringing - something that my mother and father would not have perhaps realised.
"I tried my hardest and I had a lot of fun and, in the end, personally, I would love to thank the club for giving me the chance of my life."
Horsburgh went on to detail Sheedy's remarkable record as senior coach.
"Kevin joined Essendon in 1981 and went on to coach this club on 635 occasions over 27 seasons - second only to Jock McHale in terms of games coached in AFL / VFL football," he said.
"In 19 of his 27 seasons at the helm Essendon played in the finals. He coached Essendon to four Premierships and seven Grand Finals.
"Kevin coached 223 players in his time at Essendon and among them were some of the greats - from Madden, Watson and Daniher through to Hird, Lloyd, Lucas and Fletcher."
The latest honour for Sheedy comes on top of him being made the club's 40,000th member earlier this year, in recognition of his efforts to take Essendon to the people.
"In many ways Kevin's contribution to this club off-field has been even more profound and he played an enormous role in nationalising the brand," Horsburgh told the audience of about 100.
"He took this club to places others had not dreamed of and engaged with people on all levels. The support this club has today across this country is a tribute to his energy and foresight.
"On top of this we have the Anzac Day and Dreamtime at the G games - they would not be the games they are today without the creativity and energy of Kevin Sheedy."
Under club policy, coaches and administrators can be inducted the year following their completion of service. Players need to have been retired for three-years before being considered for induction.
The current 17 legends of the Essendon Football Club are: Bill Busbridge, John Coleman, Tom Fitzmaurice, Bill Hutchison, Dick Reynolds, Jack Clarke, Terry Daniher, Simon Madden, Tim Watson, Ken Fraser, Frank Reid, Albert Thurgood, Barry Davis, Bill Cookson, Alan Hird (Snr), Alex McCracken and Kevin Sheedy.
