Favourite son Glenn Archer will return to North Melbourne as a board member at the AFL club.

The ‘Shinboner of the Century’ stepped down from his role as football director on the club’s board in January, citing increased business commitments as the reason behind his decision.

He will rejoin the board next year, along with fellow new appointment and lifelong Kangaroos supporter Dr Sonja Hood.

“Glenn stepped away during a busy time because of increasing business commitments earlier this year, but we are delighted to have him back,” North Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley said.

Archer is a dual North Melbourne premiership player and one of the most revered figures in the club’s history, having played 311 games in blue and white.

He also won a Norm Smith Medal and was a three-time All-Australian.

Dr Hood was described as a “key player” in mobilising the Kangaroos’ supporter base at a time when it appeared the club looked likely to relocate to the Gold Coast.

She also helped establish North Melbourne’s not-for-profit arm, The Huddle, when she was the club’s general manager of community engagement from 2010 to 2015.

“Sonja believes in the club,” Buckley said.

“She’s supported North her whole life, has worked here, and continues to do whatever she can to help us be successful on and off the field.

“We hope all North supporters see these two additions as significant announcements as they bring a lot to the table and have been wonderful contributors to our club over a long period of time.”