Dartford Football Club are mourning one of their former directors, Dick Mace, who has died at the age of 83.

Mr Mace, who lived in Brent Lane, originally joined the club as a player and enjoyed a role in the first team squad in the 1954/55 season.

He moved on after just one year in the side, but returned in 1979 and would spend much of the next two decades as both a club secretary and director.

Tributes to Mr Mace were led by Dartford co-chairman Steve Irving.

He said: “He was a very knowledgeable man who put a lot of time and effort into Dartford in the early days.

“Dick gave us a lot of guidance and played a very big part in the club’s history. His wife, niece and son-in-law are still regulars at Princes Park — his family are supporters to this day.”

Mr Mace’s influence was keenly felt in helping to guide the club through the turmoil of the early 1990s, when they were forced to withdraw from the Southern League due to financial problems.

“He was a very knowledgeable man who put a lot of time and effort into Dartford in the early days." Steve Irving.

Dartford had agreed to share their Watling Street ground with Maidstone United in 1988, but the Stones went bankrupt four years later and the stadium costs proved too much for the Darts.

Mr Mace left the club in 1997 but also played a key role in setting up the Kent Youth League, which was formed in 1981.

Dartford also issued a statement on their website.

"We are sorry to have received the news of the death of former player, club secretary and director, Dick Mace," it read.

"Our condolences go out to his wife Jean, Sharon and David, his son and daughter and the rest of his family."