COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire says the restoration of club stalwart Ernest 'Bud' Copeland's grave is only the beginning of the Magpies' dedication to ensuring their late legends are properly honoured.

Copeland's gravesite, which is located at Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery, had deteriorated over time, with the former club secretary's descendants living interstate.

Copeland died on March 20, 1947.

McGuire said the restoration, which was unveiled on Wednesday and revealed a plaque that labelled Copeland as "one of the most loved and revered figures in the history of the Collingwood Football Club", was an important gesture.

"You can never forget the people who actually make the club what it is today," McGuire said afterwards.

"He was a dashing man, a great businessman, the heart and soul of the Collingwood Football Club.

"[We've] come to restore his grave, and just in some symbolic way let him know we've never forgotten him, and that he's a great part of the club to this day and into the future and as long as the black and white stripes are playing."

Copeland never played a game for Collingwood, and instead made his contribution to the club through his administrative work.

He was secretary between 1895 and 1923, and then vice president for a further two years. His first job at the club was to develop and restore Victoria Park into a ground suitable to host matches.

He was appointed secretary of the Victoria Park Council, established in 1898, and the ground began to flourish as a result of funds generated by admission sales and grants - all directed by him.

McGuire said the idea for the restoration came from club supporters, and the Collingwood Football Club Foundation had worked with the Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries and the Victoria Park Heritage Committee to get it off the ground.

"We've been able to do something of significance today," McGuire said.

"We're delighted and we're going to now look around and find out some of our other forbearers who have gone to God and make sure their gravesites are in similar order.

"It's a sign of respect to those people who gave so much time and effort in early parts of last century and in some cases, in the 1880s, 1890s, to make the Collingwood Football Club what it is."

The club's annual best and fairest is named after Copeland, whose nickname 'Bud' came from the rosebud he wore in his lapel each day.

Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.