Hird joined Essendon in 1964, from Stawell, but didn't make his debut until 1966 when he came on as the 20th man in the final quarter of a game against St Kilda.
[2] During his time at the club, his father Allan Hird senior was an Essendon committeeman.
After a season with Heidelberg, Hird moved to Canberra, serving as captain-coach of Eastlake from 1969 to 1971.
[3] He settled in Canberra, where he worked in the ACT Public Service.
He remained involved in local football and from 1989 to 1991 was president of AFL Canberra.