Crows champion Mark Ricciuto has joined the Board of the Adelaide Football Club.

Ricciuto’s return is part of a long held succession plan, which will also see two highly valued and long-serving Board members, Peter Hurley and John Sutton, retire at the end of the year.

One of the Club’s greatest-ever players, Ricciuto played 312 games for the Crows in a decorated career spanning 15 years. A premiership player, Brownlow Medallist, eight-time All Australian and triple best-and-fairest winner, Ricciuto captained Adelaide in 142 matches between 1999-2007 and remains the Club’s longest-serving skipper. He retired at the end of the 2007 season and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Adelaide currently has seven board members, while the Chief Executive sits as a Board appointed Director. Under the Crows’ new Constitution, which allows for between seven and nine Directors, there is scope to now add another Director.

Ricciuto steps into this role immediately until the end of the year. Ricciuto will then stand for election, with the Club’s members now having the capacity to fill up to two positions on the board.

Ricciuto said he was excited about returning in an official capacity to the Club, where he achieved the ultimate personal and team success as a player.

“From the moment I retired, I wanted to stay involved with the Club,” he said.

“I have now been able to re-shape my business commitments, allowing sufficient time to give this role the energy and effort it deserves.”

Chairman Rob Chapman paid tribute to Mr Hurley and Mr Sutton, who have helped guide the Club for the past 14 seasons and are both life members.

“They have made an enormous contribution, having overseen the building of our world class training facility and historic move to a redeveloped Adelaide Oval,” Chapman said.

“Both of them have helped put the Club in the strong position it holds today.”

Mr Hurley said it was a well-planned transition.

“I first raised succession with the Chairman when I was last re-appointed to a three year term, and flagged that Mark Ricciuto would make an ideal Board member to take my place,” he said.

“I am delighted that such an outstanding person is coming onto the Board.

“I leave at the end of the year incredibly proud of everything we have achieved as a Club and having enjoyed every minute of my time here.”

Mr Sutton described his time on the Board as a privilege.

“There has been so much happen and so much progress made over the past 14 years,” he said.

“I know the Club is in great shape and a bright future awaits, but it is time for me to hand over at the end of the year.

“The Club is a collection of wonderful people and many are now lifelong friends, who will always hold a special place in my heart.”