George Massey, front left, with the Chatham Town team in 1936

by Jenni Horn

The oldest surviving player of Chatham Town FC has passed away, just weeks away from turning 100.

George Massey, who was due to celebrate his centenary in April, has died after a short illness.

Mr Massey, of Suffolk Avenue, Rainham, helped Chats mark its 130th anniversary last year. He was guest of honour at the commemorative match in October and shared his memories for a piece in the Medway Messenger at the time.

He told the club’s community officer, Mike Green, he enjoyed every minute of playing for the team.

Mr Massey, who was born in Medway in 1913 and spent all his life in the area, joined Chatham Town in 1935 when he was 22. He played right half and stayed at the club until the Second World War broke out.

Speaking last year he said: “We used to play in front of between 1,500 and 1,700. A lot of them were relations as there wasn’t any money about in those days and there was nothing else to do.

“Chatham were a marvellous club to be involved with and I enjoyed every minute of it. I won four medals while I played for Chatham and I was courting at the time and had them made into a bracelet for her.”

Mr Massey remained a huge football fan throughout his life and would always been on the side-line when his son and later his grandson were on the pitch

When his own playing days ended, Mr Massey coached at local schools including The Howard School in Rainham. With him at the helm, the team won the Medway five-a-side championship; the Kent Championships at Ashford and the South of England Championship.

The side they beat in the final included a 14-year-old Alan Curbishley who went on to play for England and manage Charlton Athletic and West Ham.

When Curbishley came to Rainham for a book signing, Mr Massey went along and spent an hour talking to him. A signed copy of Curbishley’s book was something Mr Massey treasured.

Mr Massey played his last game of football when he was 80. He had gone to watch his grandson Simon play in a dad verses kids game at Medway Boys FC.

The dads were a player short so he volunteered. Within 10 minutes of being on the pitch, he had scored.

Mr Massey was a regular customer at the Star Grill Cafe in Rainham, which he visited every day.

Last year he celebrated his 99th birthday there with all his family, including his two children, his three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

He described the low-key celebrations as “the best birthday party I have ever had”.

His son David said: “I asked him where he wanted his birthday party and he insisted we held it there.”

He added: “Everybody thought dad was wonderful. He was a true gentlemen; always saying ‘thank-you dear’ even at the end to the nurses in hospital.

“He was a character on the touch-lines and a lot of people will remember him from their football days.”

Dave Massey, with George, George Massey Jnr, Simon Massey and Tracey Crouch MP at Chats 130th celebrations

Mr Massey’s funeral will be held at St Margaret’s Church, Rainham, on Friday, March 8, at 3.30pm. All welcome.

Family flowers only. Donations can be made to the Salvation Army, though John Weir funeral directors. Call 01634 373111.

Chatham Town FC will be dedicating their next home game to Mr Massey, on Saturday, March 9. They will be inviting his family along and holding a minute’s applause before kick-off at the Maidstone Road ground.

Mike Green, from the club, said: “I met George when he was guest of honour at our 130th celebrations last year. He was a wonderful man with lots of wonderful memories of the club.

“George was centre of attention that day and he loved every minute of it. I really enjoyed spending time with him, he livened up my whole day.

I knew from his family that George hadn’t been well, but it was a tremendous shock to hear that he had passed away.

"On behalf of the whole club I would like to send his family our deepest and most sincere condolences.”