Former Essendon coach James Hird has been invited to a solidarity march to take place before the club’s first Victorian match of the 2016 season.

• AFL goes too far in Fasolo’s wee incident
• Essendon 34 barred from schools

The Bombers are planning a walk from Federation Square to the MCG before their Round 2 match against Melbourne, and club CEO Xavier Campbell told radio station 3AW all past players had been invited – including the former club great.

“James will be invited, James is a past player of the football club,” Campbell said.

“James did serve a significant 12-month sanction in the game.

“James has made some mistakes I think he will admit those mistakes.

“This is about our football club moving forward.”

The news comes on the back of the Bombers’ ‘Make a Stand’ video campaign, urging supporters to unite behind the club, which was launched on Wednesday.