A football club has paid tribute to one of its stalwart members who has died after contracting coronavirus.

Club legend Jim Bubb, 68, from Herne Bay Football Club - who also suffered with Parkinson's disease - passed away this morning.

He has been described as a 'club legend and committee man' who was 'always ready to help in any way he could'.

Announcing his death via a tribute on the club's website, Peter Guise wrote: "Herne Bay Football Club are sad to report the passing of a club legend and committee man, Jim Bubb, this morning at the age of 68.

"The term ‘club legend’ is so often attributed to a player but Jim is a true club legend from behind the scenes.

"He served the football club for so many decades he became a fixture, always on hand to paint a dressing room, fix an advertising board, or just tidy the ground.

"His winters may have been filled with supporting the team but his summers were spent helping to make the ground ready for the new season."

'He served the football club for so many decades he became a fixture'

Mr Bubb had suffered failing health and was suffering from Parkinson’s disease, although fellow members said he 'never complained'.

Mr Guise added: "Poor health made him susceptible to contracting coronavirus, which he did, and he was admitted to hospital where despite battling on, as Jim always did, he passed away on the morning of 4th April, four months short of his 69th birthday."

Club chairman Stuart Fitchie said: “Everyone at the football club is deeply saddened by the news of Jim’s passing.

"I knew him for only a short time but in that time it was obvious to me how much the club meant to him and how much he meant to the club.

"Winch’s Field will not be the same without him. My thoughts and prayers, and those of everyone at the club, are with Jim’s family at this very sad time”.

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