FAMILY, friends and the Dover Athletic football community have reacted with shock after a life-long supporter died in a road accident.

Simon Kersley-Davis, 39, who lived at Brickfield Cottages in The Lane, Guston, was struck by a red Peugeot 306 as he was walking along the A258 Dover-Deal road, near the Swingate Inn, at about 8.40pm on Boxing Day.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car, a 22-year-old man from Canterbury, who was travelling towards Dover from Deal, was spoken to by police, but not arrested.

Mr Kersley-Davis, who was well known to many Dover fans by the nickname Celery, was returning from a Boxing Day match at Hastings, where his team drew 1-1, when the accident happened. Many knew him through his membership of the Jolly Boys supporters’ group.

At Saturday’s match at Crabble, against Sittingbourne, a minute’s silence was followed by two songs in his memory, I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles, a reference to his other footballing love, West Ham, followed by a rendition of the White Cliffs of Dover. Balloons were released and Whites went on to win 2-0.

Friends have packed the Dover Athletic fans’ website with tributes, with one thread running to four pages of posts.

Dover fan Phil Smith said: “Simon was one of the nicest guys I have ever met. He would do anything for anyone, always the first to get the beers in and would sort out any problems. He had time for everyone. I cannot believe he has gone.”

Long-time friend Leigh Piddlesden said: “He was a happy, jolly chap who remained loyal to Dover Athletic from the highs of the Vauxhall Conference days, to when things hit rock bottom.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S DOVER MERCURY