The man known to many as “Mr Chatham Town Football Club” has died.

Steve Binks passed away last Tuesday after fighting a long illness. He was 68.

Tributes have been pouring in for “Binksy” who in his 25 years with the club was youth team coach, first team manager, director of football and his final role was honorary life president.

Steve started playing football from a young age and had trials for Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic Youth.

He became involved in Chatham Town in the mid 1990s when his youngest son Paul was in the under 15s squad.

In his youth he played for Eastcourt United which shared the Maidstone Road ground and went on to teach and encourage hundreds of players.

Both Paul and his older son Kevin played for Rainham Kenilworth.

“People often say that ‘legend’ is a word too often used and it is. It should be saved for people like Steve..." manager James Collins

His late wife Pat, whom he was married to for more than 35 years, was also involved in the running of the club and accompanied him to home and away matches.

His family can only recall him missing one game in October 2011 when his twin grandchildren, Holly and Ryan Binks, were born.

He used to love watching Ryan in action for under 7s Medway United South and his nephew Tom Binks played for Chatham and Sittingbourne.

Steve worked in IT at CAV Lucas, now Delphi Diesel on Gillingham Business Park, and he managed a sports shop in Sittingbourne.

Chats' chairman Kevin Hake said his inspirational message was always “never give up to the final whistle”.

Mr Hake said of his spell as manager in 2008/2009: “He guided the club to its highest ever league position in modern times of 10th in the Ryman North league which is an amazing achievement under difficult circumstances.”

Manager James Collins paid a heartfelt tribute in the club programme.

He wrote: “People often say that ‘legend’ is a word too often used and it is. It should be saved for people like Steve because he truly will always be a club legend here.”

Friend Peter Enright, former financial director, described him as a “good motivator” and a “dedicated family man”.

His funeral is at the Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing, at 2pm on Friday, February 1.

It will be followed by a wake at the club.