FOOTBALL is mourning the loss of one the gentlemen of the non-league scene following the death of former Ashford Town secretary Alan Lancaster.

He had an extraordinary career with the Town creating what surely must be a record at this level of 52 years at the helm as Ashford's secretary supported by his indefatigable wife Audrey.

The end came suddenly but he had been in failing health for some time. However, right to the end he never lost that sense of humour and happy sense of life that enriched and entertained all he met.

He became the welcoming face of Ashford Town during his unbroken tenure at Essella Park and then the Homelands Stadium and he was the reason why so many clubs and match officials loved coming to Ashford.

He did an enormous amount of work behind the scenes and he never lost his love of the game greeting Town's lows with the same equanimity that he enjoyed the club's highs.

Remarkably over his 52 years as secretary no-one who knew anything about football had a bad word to say about the man and it was a measure of the love and respect he gained across the country that so many from clubs, associations, leagues and the admistrators of the game have indicated a desire to attend his funeral on Wednesday, April 6 (12.15pm).

A church service will held remembering his tremendous contribution to football and the friends he made in the game at Christ Church in Beaver Road, followed by cremation at Charing and a chance to toast his remarkable life at the Sandyacres club, Sandyhurst Lane, Ashford afterwards.

The simple statistics of his life cannot tell of the tremendous warmth and depth of affection he engendered wherever he went.

He died aged 83 having worked with an amazing 16 managers and served and supported more than 10 chairmen at the Town including current club president Ashley Batt and Southern League chairman Doug Gillard.

He was among the few across the country honoured by the Football Association with a 50-year service citation and his half century of service was marked by accolades from the KCFA, where he was a life vice president, and the referees associations, and by the Town club.

Mr Batt said: "To say that Alan will be missed is an understatement, to be remembered by so many will always be his epitaph."

"I first met Alan when I took over the sports job at Ashford 26 years ago and from my first visit to Essella Park was welcomed by him and Audrey into the family. Over the years we have become close friends and they were the reason I loved going to follow the team for so long.

"He was unstinting in his dedication to the club and always willing give a helping hand when needed. It was a measure of his integrity that in all that time and despite our close friendship he never once broke a confidence gathered in the Town's boardroom.

"He will be missed by many people and most certainly by me."