The founder of the Kent Youth League and the county FA president has died.

Colin Boswell passed away on Saturday morning following a short battle with cancer.

Mr Boswell, a former Football League official, started the Kent Youth League with just eight clubs in 1981. He was the chief exec of the league until 2013.

He lived in Gillingham and was secretary of the Medway Messenger Sunday Football League for four decades and president of the Rochester & District Football League.

In 2009 he was nominated as the new president of the Kent County Football Association, succeeding Norman Chatfield. He had been a KCFA member since 1966.

“It’s an honour and great privilege to accept this role,” he said at the time.

Mr Boswell was also secretary of the Medway Towns Sports Council, a role he retired from in 2003 after 29 years. It was the same year that he stepped down as secretary of the Medway Messenger Sunday Football League after 40 years’ service.

He will perhaps be best known for founding the Kent Youth League and when he stepped down as chief exec in 2013, replacement Ken Brooke said: “It takes courage to make brave decisions, it takes courage to want to embrace the changing world of communications, to embrace modern technology, and it takes great skill and patience to build a team that helps you achieve those ambitions. Colin has ticked all those boxes and more.”

Vice chairman of the Southern Counties East League John Moules, who was recently ill with Covid-19, said: “Really sad news Colin was a great servant to Kent football at all levels of the game. My thoughts are with the family at this sad time.”

Kent County League chairman Gavin Hoare commented: "Colin was a football giant in the county - a personal friend - and my mentor."

Chairman of Chatham Town Kevin Hake was among those to offer a tribute, saying: “Will never forget all the great advice you gave me over the years mate.

“A true legend of Kent football and I will miss our regular chats in the boardroom. My thoughts and prayers are with Sheila and the family at this difficult time x RIP Colin”

Sheppey chairman Matt Smith said: "Too many times the word legend is used, but today the Kent football family has lost a TRUE KENT FOOTBALL LEGEND!

"I cannot thank Colin enough for all he did for both the senior and the junior clubs, mine and my clubs thoughts and prayers are with Sheila and the family RIP Colin."

Lordswood Football Club tweeted: "We are all very sad to hear of the passing of Colin Boswell. He was a good friend to Lordswood and did so much to help us as a club and football in Kent. Our thoughts are with his wife and family."

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