Kent football stalwart Tony French has died.

He had been suffering from ill health in recent years after having a cancerous kidney removed.

Tony was a great servant to the game and contributed 55 years to schools’ football alone.

He was presented with a meritorious award by the FA for 50 years in 2003, and had been the North Kent Sunday League fixture secretary since 1994.

Tony’s dedication to grass roots football saw him serve on the KCFA for a number of years, and he was previously the area representative to the English Schools FA.

In June 2008, he won the North Kent Sunday League’s personality of the year accolade.

When he received the trophy at the annual meeting, he was in a wheelchair and the whole meeting stood to applaud him.