Long-serving Ebbsfleet groundsman Peter Norton has died after a short illness, aged 80.

Peter passed away last Wednesday after spending three weeks in hospital fighting a chest infection and, finally, pneumonia.

A right-half for Empire Paper Mills FC in his playing days, he found national fame off it during the lead-up to the 2008 FA Trophy final when he reached No.15 in the iTunes dance chart with his ‘Beat The Weather’ single.

Ebbsfleet vice-chairman Peter Varney said: "I visited Peter in hospital twice in the last week and could see how ill he was.

"The club has lost a true legend, a man with a tremendous work ethic and a passionate supporter of the club. Stonebridge Road will never be quite the same.

"On a personal level I will miss his humour and the chats which accompanied his delivery of the local newspapers."

Peter joined Gravesend & Northfleet as groundsman in the mid-1990s from Burroughs & Wellcome at Dartford, where he was also groundsman. He also continued to maintain EPM's bowls green at Greenhithe and was also an accomplished bowls player himself, reaching County standard.

Fleet Trust chairman Chris Pilkinton said: "I knew Pete from around the early 70s through local football and social functions at the Coronation Hall in Greenhithe.

"I was able to see Pete for the last time the day before he passed away and despite him being unconscious for most of the time and fighting for breath, he managed to raise his arm from the bed.

"I shook his hand, one eye opened in recognition and he tried to say goodbye, before falling back into an unconscious state. It was a special moment for me, one that I will always treasure along life's highway."

Ebbsfleet will hold a minute’s silence before the home match against Truro on Saturday, January 9.

His funeral will take place on Wednesday, January 20, passing Stonebridge Road at 12.30pm followed by a service at Medway Crematorium, Blue Bell Hill, at 1.30pm before returning to Stonebridge Road.

The family has requested red and white flowers only, or charity donations. Contact Frost Funeral Service, Swanscombe, on 01322 382 879.