THE Carlton Football Club this year celebrates the 160^th anniversary of its inception.

The celebration will see the Club execute a number of activations and key moments of recognition throughout this year.

To mark this momentous occasion, the Club will induct into its coveted Hall of Fame a distinguished group of footballers from the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, who each played a pivotal role in shaping Carlton’s identity.

Founded in 1864, Carlton is one of the oldest sporting institutions, from as far back as the days of the Challenge Cup, VFA and early VFL. Indeed, the Club’s rich tapestry was woven by those who were either part of or laid the foundations for future on-field and off-field successes.

Since the Hall of Fame’s inception in 1987, only George Coulthard, considered Carlton’s first bona fide champion, has been inducted from this formative era, as a mark of respect to his lofty on-field contributions to Carlton in the 19^th century – and Hall of Famers George Bruce, Norman Clark and Charlie Hammond are just three of the 11 players who featured in each leg of Carlton’s history-making Premiership hat-trick (1906-07-08) under the watch of the legendary Secretary/Coach Jack Worrall.

Carlton Football Club CEO Brian Cook said that while the Club was always moving forward, the 160^th year provided a moment in time to fittingly acknowledge those who made their indelible mark on what the Club stands for today.

“We have a proud history that will be fittingly acknowledged in this year, our 160^th, and while the Carlton of today strives to build on that history, it’s important that those who came before are recognised with representation in the Club’s coveted Hall,” Cook said.

“In this landmark year for the Club, it’s vital that these former players, many who gave so much to Carlton at a time when the game itself was still taking shape, are so honoured.

“Some are unsung heroes, but all have contributed to The Carlton Story – a glorious story that has endured across three centuries.”

A total of 21 former players will be officially inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame over the coming months, after Jack Carney, Neil Chandler and Brendan Fevola were formally inducted in March.

The 21 inductees are representative of at least one of the following three categories:

Category 1: Challenge Cup/VFA years (1864-1896); - 10 inductees;

Category 2: “Hat-Trick Heroes” (Premiership players 1906, ’07 and ’08) – eight inductees; and

Category 3: Premiership Coaches & Captains (post-1897) – three inductees.

In addition to its honorary Hall of Fame inductees, the Club last year commissioned acclaimed filmmaker Pete Dickson to complete a documentary on the 1970 Grand Final.

With interviews from players of the day, as well as those who witnessed the Ron Barassi-coached team’s incredible comeback, the documentary will serve as a time capsule for arguably the most famous game in Carlton and League history.

The documentary will be set for release in early August.

Also that month, the Club will be officially celebrating its 160-year history against Hawthorn in Round 22. In this game, AFL team members will wear a heritage guernsey to mark the occasion – with the guernsey set to be launched in July.

By undertaking these initiatives, the Carlton Football Club aims to not only celebrate its past, but also inspire the future.