A well-known pub landlord and champion of local sports has died following a short illness.

Jim Gray ran Whitbread and Shepherd Neame pubs in Faversham and the surrounding areas for decades, becoming a popular figure in the town.

He served stints at The Anchor, The Coal Exchange (later known as The Swan and Harlequin and now The Quay), and The Red Lion in Hernhill, and was also a keen supporter of Faversham Town FC and Creekside Boxing.

Following the 88-year-old’s death on March 2, which comes after having suffered a stroke in January, his son Stephen Gray led tributes to the “great family man”.

“He was always cheerful and always so positive,” said Stephen.

“He loved his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren – he always looked after us throughout the years.

“He’d stop and talk to people, he just had a natural ability to communicate and make friends.

“If you’ve never seen Jim in town, where have you been hiding?”

Born in East London in 1936, his family moved to Kent to take on The Coal Exchange boozer after winning cash in the football pools.

During this time, he carried out national service in post-World War II Germany, became friends with Olympic gold medallist Terry Spinks, and married his wife of 67 years, Betty, in 1956.

The duo took over the family pub in the mid-1960s when his father died.

Stephen described how they later decided to “go up in the pub world” and make the “romantic move” to The Red Lion in Hernhill, as well as running The Anchor near Faversham Creek.

After retiring from the pub industry at a young age, he temporarily moved to Maidstone to run the Whitbread Social Club but soon came back to his adopted hometown and took up a role at Shepherd Neame’s visitor centre.

For the brewery’s 300th anniversary, he was tasked with teaching the now-King Charles how to pull a pint.

In later life, he could often be seen walking his dog around the Rec or at football games.

A dad of three, Jim also had nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

News of Jim’s death prompted an outpouring of love for him on social media, with many old friends taking the time to share their memories of the late publican.

Sally Henley said: “Jim was a great guy and character.

“My earliest memory of [him] was when my dad used to take me to the Coal Exchange for pop and crisps and our paths crossed several times over the years.

“He was sunny and always stopped for a chat.”

Glenn Bell added: “Jimmy Gray was a wonderful character, a great pub landlord and simply a great guy!

“I knew him best when he ran the Jumbo Club and he became a good friend.

“It might be ‘last orders’ for Jim, but he'll never be forgotten.”

The funeral will be held at Faversham Crematorium at 2 pm on Thursday, March 20, with football colours – particularly those of West Ham – encouraged in favour of funeral garments.