Family, Essendon in plea for privacy
JAMES Hird’s wife Tania has issued a short statement in the wake of his health scare, thanking the public for its support and pleading for privacy.
Essendon have also thrown their support behind their former AFL coach, who is understood to be recovering from an overdose.
The 43-year-old Hird, a father of four, was admitted to hospital on Wednesday night and was reportedly continuing to receive care at a mental health facility yesterday.
“We wish to express our appreciation for the public support that has been given to James and our family since news of his hospitalisation became known,” Tania Hird said.
“At this time James and the Hird family are in need of privacy. We ask that this privacy be respected.
“We particularly ask this of the media contingent cur- rently gathered at our house.
“James’s health is our primary focus and concern.”
Essendon chairman Lindsay Tanner said the club would continue to support Hird and his family.
“On behalf of the entire Essendon family our thoughts are with James Hird and his family,” Tanner said.
“This is a personal and private matter and we ask the media to respect the privacy of James and his family. The club will continue to offer its support to James and the Hird family.”
Hird’s hospitalisation has revived a troubled past that Essendon had hoped to leave behind.
They have welcomed back 10 players who last season served doping suspensions stemming from the supplements scandal that unfolded during Hird’s tenure.