A long-serving journalist who spent three decades covering sport in Kent has died aged 77.

Mick Cork was a much-loved character on the terraces at Folkestone Invicta Football Club, his hometown club whose on-field exploits he chronicled for the Folkestone Herald newspaper.

Mr Cork retired from journalism in 2011 after a long and successful career in the local press, which began as a reporter, featured a spell in advertising and culminated in his holding the role of sports editor for weekly titles in Folkestone and Dover.

Following his retirement, Corky – as he was affectionately know by colleagues and friends alike – continued to be a popular presence at Invicta games both home and away. He also served the football club in a voluntary capacity as a press officer and as a supporters’ club committee member.

Mr Cork was married to wife Lorraine for 51 years and they have three children – Stewart, Nicola and Dan – as well as five grandchildren.

His health had declined in recent years and he suffered from dementia.

He spent the last years of his life at Saltwood Care Centre, where he was cared for until his death on Friday, December 15.

Mrs Cork recalled how his love of sport, and his time following Folkestone Invicta in both a professional and personal capacity, had brought much joy to his life.

She said: “He made some really good friends there, so many people knew him, local people. He just loved football, and obviously Folkestone were the ones because he was born and brought up here.

“He was easy going, he was always happy, especially with the family around, he always loved having the family around.”

Michael Robert Cork was born in Folkestone on December 28, 1945, and grew up in the town, where he first attended St Mary’s primary school before going on to the Harvey Grammar School.

As well as a well-known passion for sport, Mr Cork was also a music lover. He played the bass guitar in a number of local groups, including Captain Black, and once shared a bill with The Who.

He was also a schoolboy contemporary of fellow bass player and Old Harveian, Noel Redding, who went on to play in The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Following the news of Mr Cork’s death, tributes have been paid to a man remembered for his outgoing character and his lifelong passion for cricket and football, and Folkestone Invicta in particular.

Neil Cugley, who was Invicta manager for more than a quarter of a century, recalled Mr Cork as a well-liked character around the football club and the town.

“He was a good person for the club, not just doing the reports but also on the supporters’ club committee,” Mr Cugley said.

“He went to all the games, and we used to have some fun on the coach on the way home, as we did in those days. He’d have his red wine on the way home – or during the game – and he could be boisterous, but only in a nice way. I had a lot of time for Mick, a lot of time for him.”

Former Folkestone Herald editor Simon Finlay said: "Mick was a very good sports editor who just got on with the job and served the Folkestone Herald readers well.

“I remember he left a big hole when he retired from the paper in 2011 after more than 30 years.

"Unlike most sports reporters, he was a genuine fan of the club he covered, Folkestone Invicta. You'd never see him in the press box – he'd be standing on the terraces with his mates.

“Yet the reporting was straight as an arrow, tailored for his audience who trusted him to tell them how it was.

“The Invicta fans even had a song about him – not many journalists can say that.

"Apart from that, Mick was a good laugh, a kind presence in the newsroom and always very generous to the younger reporters on the paper. It was very sad to hear the news."

Arrangements for Mr Cork’s funeral are being made, and his family will communicate details in due course.