Tributes have been paid to former non-league football player Mark Stanton who died last week.

Mr Stanton, 44, of Cheriton Road, Folkestone, lost his four year battle with motor neurone disease last Friday.

The father-of-two, known as Stanno, became a local legend after he scored two goals for Ashford Town against Fulham at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup back in November 1994.

The former footballer, who also played for Folkestone and Hythe, was renowned for his pace, and off the field for his sense of humour which prevailed despite the crippling disease which stopped him playing the sport that he loved.

His widow Fiona said: “He had the most unbelievable sense of humour. He was always joking – right to the end when things were really hard and he could hardly speak.

“His smile is what characterised him most.

"He just had a special smile for everybody. He knew how to put everybody at ease."

"He just had a special smile for everybody. He knew how to put everybody at ease."

“He never had a bad word to say about anyone and throughout the whole of the horrible illness, he never once complained or got bitter and I know that’s why our children are so happy and fun-loving.”

Former Harvey Grammar School pupil Mr Stanton played for the Nuts and Bolts for seven years, scoring 128 goals in 264 games between 1990 and 1997.

He still holds the Ashford record for the most goals scored in a match, after hitting five past Erith & Belvedere in a 6-1 away win in a Cup game in October 1994.

Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley signed him for both Hythe and Ashford after spotting his incredible pace on the pitch.

“He was one hell of a player,” he said.

“He was the quickest player I’ve ever seen.

"He scored two goals in an FA Cup replay at Fulham, Ashford eventually lost 5-3 but he’s become a legend at Ashford because of that night really.

"He tore them to shreds because of his pace.”

Friend and colleague Sharon Moore from Mission Aviation Fellowship, the charity where he had worked as a purchasing manager since 2002, described him as an exceptional man.

She said: "During his 11 years’ service to MAF his passion, enthusiasm, tenacity and most of all his humour made working alongside him a joy and privilege.

"Throughout Mark’s illness he remained strong and rooted in his Christian faith.

"He was always cheerful, courageous and enormously gracious in the face of such adversity.

"He will be greatly missed - Mark’s life has touched very many people."

An inaugural charity match in his memory will take place between Ashford and Hythe at the Reachfield's Stadium on Saturday, July 27.

For more information about motor neurone disease go to http://www.mndassociation.org