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Hollands & Blair Football Club have paid tribute to the Plummer family after naming the main stand in their honour.
Laurence Plummer - known to most as Plum - has fulfilled most roles at the club since first becoming a player of the team back in the early 70s.
“Apparently I never stopped running,” said the Blair stalwart, who first turned out for them as a midfield player.
Almost five decades later and he is still putting his heart and soul into the Gillingham-based club, who currently play in the Premier Division of the Southern Counties East Football League.
Blair are celebrating their 50th year in 2020 and Plummer has been there almost from the off, helping to develop what is now the town’s second biggest football club, second only to Football League side Gillingham.
“From pub team to what we are now has been quite a journey,” Plum said.
“Someone said to me the other day, ‘Plum don’t you ever switch off? You have got others there now to help.’ It is just part of me.
“Football is a passion and Hollands & Blair have become part of the family. My son is well involved and has taken over a lot of roles from me, along with Paul Piggott and Phil Knights (joint chairmen) and my grandson is playing as well. It is a family thing.
“My wife has had to put up with football for a long time.”
Vice-chairman Martin Bass, who described Plum as being the heartbeat of the club, said: “Behind Plum over all these years has been a supportive family.
“Plum’s wife Shirley has probably as much a claim to this club’s success as she sets an example to us all on how hard you need to work to get things done.
“Always by Plum’s side and always doing something towards the greater good behind the scenes...from organising children’s seasonal parties to cooking up match day food for supporters at pitch-side.”
Mr Bass also noted the support of Plum’s children Rebecca and Ryan, a player at the club and also the treasurer, and grandchildren Jack and Alfie. Ryan’s youngest, Tristan, plays for the club’s under-7s and “is looking to be a chip off the old block.”
The vice-chairman added: “With Jodi, Ryan’s wife and Amelie, their beautiful daughter making up the family group, it is our hope that the tribute of naming our main stand at Star Meadow Sports Club after the family is a small way of saying thank you Plum and thank you to your family for what you’ve all achieved in the name of Holland’s & Blair.”
Blair are away to Horley Town this Saturday but Plum won’t be there to watch. It's his and Shirley’s 45th wedding anniversary.
“Football doesn’t always come first,” he said, as they take a well-earned weekend off.
