Essendon fans rally round club

James Hird addresses his players at the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Saturday. Source: Herald Sun

Bomber David Meyers is tackled by Dustin Martin during their Round 2 NAB Cup match at Wangaratta. Source: Getty Images

THE club is in crisis, a second investigation is in full swing and heads might yet roll in the football department and senior administration.

But the one remarkable aspect of Essendon's drug controversy has been the reaction of its fans.

Essendon chief commercial officer Richard Burnet confirmed yesterday the club's membership had exploded since the AFL-ASADA investigation began.

No one can guarantee Bombers players will not be suspended this year, but fans have backed the club in droves.

Essendon's membership is up more than 20 per cent, compared with the same three weeks last pre-season, with 81 per cent of the new members never having had any official affiliation with the club.

The Bombers have 43,899 members, and hope to break the 2011 record of more than 51,000 paid-up fans.

Sponsors True Value Solar and Kia remain rock solid, and the money continues to trickle in for the $26 million Flight Plan fundraiser to develop the new Melbourne Airport training base.

Is this blind faith from a fan base in denial, or a spin-off from saturation coverage of Essendon's controversy?

Burnet prefers to believe it is Essendon supporters showing their true colours in a time of need.

"We are up over 20 per cent versus the same three-week period, so it's a fantastic response and it certainly shows the members are galvanised in showing their support," Burnet said.

"We are up over 3000 members compared to last year, and well on track to go above 50,000 members, which we did two years ago when Hirdy (James Hird) and Bomber (Mark Thompson) signed.

"It is not only the passionate members, but also people who have been on the periphery who understand the importance of signing up now.

"We are very comforted by the level of support our sponsors have shown us and without exception they are backing the club and standing by us."

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