FORMER Gillingham FC chairman Charlie Cox has died at his home at Challock, near Canterbury, after suffering from chest pains.

Mr Cox, 75, was a director at the club for 26 years and held the post of chairman between 1983 and 1986.

His father, also called Charlie, was chairman of the club from 1947 to 1959.

Mr Cox leaves his partner, Mary, his sister Betty Collins, and his daughter Jane Gillett.

During his lifetime, Mr Cox had a number of business interests, mainly in the Medway Towns area. For 42 years he lived and worked at the Central Hotel on the A2 at Gillingham. He used to call it "the best pub in England".

Mr Cox's funeral will take place at the Woodlands Road Cemetery in Gillingham at a date yet to be fixed.