Ebbsfleet United say they have been left “devastated” by the passing of former club secretary Peter Danzey.

Peter passed away in hospital on Friday afternoon after a short illness. He served as club secretary from 2009 to 2021.

Fleet chairman and owner Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi and chief executive Damian Irvine released a joint statement, paying tribute to Peter’s contribution to the club. The Fleet visit Gateshead in the National League on Saturday.

“We will travel north with very heavy hearts given the news that reached us of the passing of Peter Danzey,” they said.

“Peter was a trusted colleague and friend to so many, and a huge part of the club.

“We will remember Peter at our away match and will pay tribute at our home match next Saturday 26th August with Peter’s family and friends.

“We will take some time to process the sad and sudden news and find the right and fitting words and a way to pay tribute to Peter that does justice to his legacy at Stonebridge Road.

“Our hearts and thoughts are especially with Maggie and Peter’s wonderful family at this sad time.“

The club said Peter’s “diligent service and loyalty to the Fleet was second-to-none”. He was made honorary club secretary and still continued to attend as many games as he could once he stepped down as club secretary.

Peter was schooled in Swanscombe and began work at Empire Paper Mills in 1960, managing the finishing department there before taking on a role with Aylesford Newsprint until his retirement in 2009.

As a player, Peter turned out more than 800 times for his works side at Empire Paper Mills. A no-nonsense centre-half as he liked to describe himself, he played for 18 years from 1960-78 and after hanging up his boots continued to serve as the club’s secretary until it was disbanded in 1996.

His experience in football administration led him to join the Gravesend League where he served as secretary and fixture secretary, roles he held until it folded in 2012 after 108 years, overlapping with his position as Fleet’s secretary. He also managed the Gravesend Football League side in its games against other local associations.

In 2013, Peter was honoured by the FA for his half-century of service to the game, the most prestigious award the association gives out to its administrative officials. He recovered from a breast cancer diagnosis in 2018 and made headlines in local and non-league media as he raised awareness about the rare condition in men.

Tributes have been paid to Peter across the Fleet community. Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb said: “Very sad news for all of us. I’m glad that we could achieve promotion together with you! Rest in peace Peter.”

Current Fleet striker Dominic Poleon said: “RIP Peter and condolences to Maggie and their family. He was such a lovely man and supported the boys and I to the fullest, he will he dearly missed.”

Former Ebbsfleet boss Steve Brown wrote: “My sincerest condolences to Maggie, family and friends. Peter was an absolute gent, always willing to help out in any situation, nothing was ever too much, may you rest in peace my friend.”