Today we turn back 20 years to see what was in the headlines about the new Adelaide Football Club.

December 5 1990: Former Brisbane Bears captain Mark Mickan joined Adelaide’s pre-season program for the first time. The Crows were still to broker a deal with the Bears but Mickan had already told the Club of his intentions.

The former West Adelaide and South Australian ruckman joined the Bears in their first year in the VFL (1987) and captained the club in its first three seasons. He played 48 games but only appeared twice at league level in 1990.

“Hopefully my experience at the Bears may come in handy, but my aim is to play and be a part of it,” Mickan, 29, told The Advertiser. “It’s a new challenge and I feel as if I have to prove myself again. But it’s refreshing being out here.”

Next year the Adelaide Football Club celebrates the 20th anniversary of its first AFL game for premiership points when it plays Hawthorn in the opening round - two decades after the Crows thumped Hawthorn by 86 points at Football Park.

For the next few months www.afc.com.au will run a regular feature highlighting the main footy news events from 20 years ago.