Fordham’s night of nights

Following his retirement in 1969, Fordham filled various administrative roles, including chairman of recruiting, chairman of the match-committee and even serving as vice-president.

Speaking to the Riverine Herald’s Game On podcast, Fordham said the night was a fantastic event.

“It was a great night, it was held at the Olympic Room at the MCG, I think it holds 350 people, and it was packed to the rafters with mad Essendon supporters,” Fordham said.

“I had my family there, my son and my daughters, and my wife, of course, she had to be there. I also had a nephew there from Swan Hill and a friend of mine and his wife and daughter.

“It was a brilliant night and we had a lot of fun, there were a few speeches made and I think I got voted best speech of the night, I was happy about that.”

Fordham, already an Essendon Football Club life member, shared his thoughts on the AFL with the room, while also sharing a laugh with Bombers coaching great Kevin Sheedy.

“I touched on Sheedy, I gave him a serve,” Fordham said, with a laugh.

“At one stage I was the chairman of recruiting, and I named a few players that we gave him that made him such a good coach, he took that great.”

Receiving a call from former player Adam Ramanauskas to inform him of his induction into the Hall of Fame, Fordham admitted he was initially surprised, but was happy to accept the honour after reflecting on his long service to the club.

“It did come as a surprise, but then when I think back, I spent something like 23 or 24 years of my life at the Essendon Football Club,” he said.

“I played in an under-19 premiership with them in 1959, and bar a break of about 12 or 18 months, I finished up my time at Essendon in 1982.

“I suppose when you think 23 or 24 years of service to the club, in a playing capacity and an honorary capacity, they recognised that, and I was very pleased that they did recognise it, and I accepted it with open arms, I can tell you that.”