COOKSON, Bill

Bill Cookson was a small rover who played two games in late 1924. He had commenced with the Seconds in 1922.

However, it was as an administrator that Cookson left his mark on the Club. In 1931, he became secretary of the Second 18 before becoming Senior Secretary in 1944 for an amazing period of twenty eight years until 1972. His senior appointment was not without controversy with the threat of legal action by the deposed Secretary. He also organised and managed the team which joined Melbourne Boys League Under 17 competition and oversaw its transition into the newly-formed VFL Thirds competition in 1946.

He was made a Life member in 1949 after a 27-year association with the Club and was to go on and serve another 24 years. Previous secretaries had operated on a part-time honorary basis but in 1957 he was appointed as full-time Secretary-Manager on a five-year contract with a permanent office in the new section of the Reynolds Stand.

In a major acknowledgment of his contribution, in 1972 the Club decided to re-name the Memorial Stand as the W. H. Cookson Stand in his honour. He was inducted as inaugural Essendon Hall of Fame Legend in 1996.

His incredible career was recognised by the League when he was given the "Jack Titus Recognition of Service" in 1978.

Bill Cookson died on 19th July, 1980.