A former football club chairman who was known for championing the development of the sport in Kent has died after a nine-month battle with cancer.

Tributes have been paid to William Wheeler, who died earlier this month, aged 81.

He is credited with having a huge impact at both Maidstone United and Tonbridge Angels, where he held senior positions.

The Newcastle-born former lift engineer also previously worked at the Kent Messenger, as head of sales in the former Larkfield headquarters. He leaves a wife Maureen and two sons, Carl and Jason.

Mr Wheeler, who lived in Church Street, Maidstone, for more than 20 years, was part of the management team taking the Stones from being an amateur club to semi-professional. He was at the club in the early 1970s.

Bill Williams, Maidstone United’s chief executive joined the club when Mr Wheeler was general manager and the late Jim Thompson was chairman.

He said: “It is a sad loss. He loved football and was part of the team who built the club up to be a driving force.”

Mr Wheeler as also known for saving Tonbridge Angels from folding after winning a court battle with the council over plans for the club’s old ground.

Carl and Jason, who both now live in Bearsted, said: “He was hardworking and a proud northern man who loved his football. He’s definitely left a legacy, and was very forward-thinking in terms of the non-league scene.”

Tonbridge Angels also paid tribute to Mr Wheeler in a statement on the club’s website, saying how he pressed the council to find a new venue for the club, when their old ground was turned into what is now the Sainsbury’s and the authority was unwilling to find them a new base.

The statement added: “Chairman Bill Wheeler and fellow director Frank Davis courageously took the local authority to the High Court and won. One might describe it as the biggest victory the Angels have ever had.

“We all tend to moan when the team has a disappointing afternoon on the pitch but perhaps at those moments we should remember without people like William Wheeler we might not have a club to enjoy today.”

His funeral takes place at 9.30am on Monday at 9.30am at Vinters Park Crematorium, Maidstone. Anyone who knew him is welcome.