When talking about the history and personalities of East Sydney Football Club, the name of Frank Dixon is the first to come to mind.

Over the years, many distinguished names have played for East Sydney, including Les Darcy (the champion boxer), Victor Trumper (the famous cricketer and who Trumper Park in Paddington is named after), and Sam Loxton (former Australian cricket selector, and leading Easts' goal kicker during the 1945 season).

Our club has been blessed with a number of loyal and dedicated people over the years, including some current Life Members Jack & Joy Dean, Kevin & Kay Ryan, Michael 'Raffles' Blaumschein, and Paul Constance (who came to the club in 1974, from Carlton), not to mention the contribution from the UNSW people, like Phillip Holmes, Ken Fowlie, and others.

Some of the stars of that period were Jack and Mal Dean, Alan Elliott, Don Wilson, Ron Dempsey, Max Stoutt, Roy Hayes, Fred Pemberton, Ron Baker, Kevin Little, Joe Hughes, and Alf Penno (who coached Easts to three successive flags between 1956–58).

The following list of names may also bring back a few memories; Ken Kilpatrick, Alan Gray, Fred Verco, Kevin Little, Billy Ayton, Bob Jones, Brian Ratcliffe, Terry Stone, Graham Summers, Alan Grentel, Ron Fitzpatrick, Bob and Garry Wilton, John Roberts (who played over 500 senior games for Easts including over 300 in first grade, and whose son, Brett, is a current senior player with the club), Graham Mckenzie, Bob Carter, Jack Hamilton, Keith Liddelow, Robert Schobel, Bob Hankinson, Tony Buck, Peter Onley, Michael Camilleri, Ted Sharpe, and Dennis Pangrazio.

Laurie Dunlop kicked an amazing seven goals in that Grand Final, playing from a half-forward flank, while Wally Dahler, Bill Skipper, Kevin Smith, Peter Thorpe, Paul Paitry, Keith Liddelow, and Brian Taylor played a major part in the victory.

East Sydney played Western Suburbs in five consecutive Grand Finals from 1971-1975, which were highlighted by all-in brawls at the beginning of each match.

In 1971, promising young Easts' player Mark Maclure played for NSW Under 19s, and also won the Kealey Medal (for Best & Fairest in the League Reserves).

The 1973 premiership side was laden with talent, and many went on to become Sydney AFL legends, including Paul Paitry, Cliff Matson, Kevin Pearson, Garry McAuliffe, Russell Hughes, Ian 'Champ' Allen, Bill Skipper, Wally Dahler, Bruce 'Bones' Hill, Ray Weston, Garry Towle, Alex Peden, Ron Fitzpatrick, Bob Wilton, Rod Schobel, and Keith Liddelow.

Easts were runners-up to Wests in 1974 and 1975, but in 1976 bounced back to another premiership victory under the guidance of the legendary Austin Robertson, defeating North Shore by 13 goals.

There was a glut of talent in this team, including Bob Claridge (who won the club Best & Fairest that year, and went on to win the Phelan Medal in 1979), Wayne Goss, Paul Bouchier, Ron Williams, Graham Foster, and Grant Luhrs, combining with champions Ian Allen, Bill Skipper, Russell Hughes, and Wally Dahler.

Wayne Goss came from Tasmania, and played well over 200 games for Easts, including 6 premierships, and NSW state representation on several occasions.

The First Grade team included Ted Pleming (now a sponsor of the club), Graeme Foster, Steve Byrnes, Enzo Corvino, Ian Allen, Grant Luhrs, Rob Claridge, Geoff Spaulding, Ian Geddes, Jim Richardson, Peter Ruscuklic, Laurie Axford, Phil Ingles, Brendan Higgins, Wayne Hardie, Wayne Goss, Jeff Carruthers, Danny Stakelum, James O'Callaghan and Stuart Allen.

For the 1981 season, John Todd became Club President, and Greg Harris was appointed captain coach, which proved to be very effective, with Easts going on to win successive premierships.

The 1982 season culminated in a close fought battle for Grand Final honours against Pennant Hills, with Easts emerging victors by 3 goals, with the ageing Ian Allen taking out the Best & Fairest award.

Final scores were Easts: 18.23 [131] def Balmain: 15.3 [93], with best players being Jim Richardson, Peter Stanton, Wayne Goss, Mark Phillips, Trevor Bailey, and Geoff Spaulding.

The First Grade Final score was Easts: 13.4 [82] def North Shore: 9.8 [62], with best players being Neil Ward, Danny Upfal, Phil Reid, Garth Harris, Jim Richardson, Geoff Luff, and Paul Bounader.

Greg has not only been one of the greatest Sydney AFL footballers to lace on a boot, but he also has the distinction of playing Rugby for Australian touring sides to America, Canada, the British Isles, Japan, Russia, and Europe, and in 1978 joined the Cronulla Sharks Rugby League team as a second rower in their senior team.

This successful period in Easts' history produced many great players, including Peter Ruscuklic, Neil Ward, Jim Richardson, Wayne Goss, Ian Allen, Laurie Axford, Darren Jennings, Grant Luhrs, Ian Geddes, Ian Martin, Les Mildenhall, Peter Stanton, Geoff Spaulding, Greg Harris, Geoff Luff, Mark Phillips, Danny Uphal, Phil Reid, Mike Boyce, Enzo Corvino, Trevor Bailey, and Garth Harris.

Another quality player during this period was tough cop, and NSW representative, Kenny Howe, who had previous playing experience in the Riverina and ACT.

UNSW has its own proud history, with the 'Wallies' formed in 1962, and going on to win nine First Grade premierships in the SFA, during which time it produced its own list of stars, including Cliff Matson and Stuart Cadzow (who both won University 'Blues', and both went on to play with Easts).

The club came fifth at intervarsity, which was held in Sydney, and Denis Aitken and Ian Sharpe were selected to play in an All Australian Universities side against NSW.

The vote was later determined to be unconstitutional, however the two dissenters left the meeting and agreed to take on the organisation of the club and to field two teams in 1998.

In 1968, Cliff Matson, Kevin Williams, Chris Herbert and Ron Haley represented the club in the State second grade team.

In 1973, Lyn Davis represented the club in the State Second Division team and was adjudged the best & fairest player in the series against Newcastle and South Coast.