Tributes have been paid to Sheppey's 'Mr Football' Mark Rogers.

The former secretary of the Havill Sheppey Sunday League died on July 8 after a battle with cancer. He had recently turned 60.

The born and bred Islander, who attended the Sheppey Comp and Minster College, had always loved football and when he retired from playing he formed his own teams to manage. Shortly after, he discovered he had become secretary of the Sheppey Sunday League.

His widow Lisa recalled: "He had been at a meeting at the Fox and Goose pub in Bapchild in 2006 and the secretary was stepping down. Mark went out to the toilet and when he came back they said 'congratulations, you're the new league secretary!'"

His tireless enthusiasm for promoting the "beautiful game" and meticulous organisation helped take the league to new heights as he tracked down sponsors and ensured there was always a ready supply of referees and officials on hand so games could go ahead.

In 2011 he was presented with a Respect and Fair Play Awards trophy by Prince William to celebrate the league's dedication to grassroots football.

Mark, a former delivery driver for Asda, was also a presenter at Sheppey community radio station BRFM before switching to Sittingbourne's SFM. He wasn't frightened of tackling Swale council, either, and went into battle to ensure the Island's pitches were in good condition.

One of his most recent successes was to convince Sheppey Rugby Club to donate part of its land for a football pitch.

He was a lifelong fan of West Ham and so Lisa, a Chelsea supporter, agreed to get wed at The Hammers' hallowed Boleyn Ground ground at Upton Park.

She said: "He was a loving and very well respected man i n anything he did. He would give his last £10 to help anyone. He touched everyone's hearts and treated everyone he met with love and respect. He only stood down to spend more time with his grandson, who he doted on."

Mark had been diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2017. When he began losing weight this year he was admitted to Maidstone A&E in March. While there he fell, cutting his head. Doctors treating him discovered an incurable brain tumour and gave him just three months to live.

Lisa admitted: "It was a shock to everyone. He fought this terrible disease but despite everything, it beat him."

Mark, who was born in Rushenden and lived in Sheerness, spent the last few weeks of his life at Elvy Court care home in Sittingbourne.

The day after his death, there was a minute's applause for him at Sheppey United's ground. United's chairman Matt Smith said: "He was a true footballing Sheppey man. He may be gone but he will not be forgotten."

Andy Harding said: "He genuinely made the SSL one of the best leagues in Kent. I remember him as a coach long before he took over the league. He always had a great respect for the sport and people playing within it.

"He genuinely was one of the most honest and respectful people you could ever hope to meet."

Paul Gambell said: "I am truly devastated and lost for words. He got me started at BRFM radio on the Sports Show bringing him live updates from the Gillingham games every time.

"He also got me into refereeing for the Sheppey Sunday league. I cannot speak highly enough about him. He was always there at the end of the phone for a chat. He was a top bloke."

Towards the end, Mark managed to watch Sheppey team Range Rovers clinch the Kent Cup. Lisa said: "That made him so proud."

The funeral will be at Vinters Park Crematorium, Maidstone, on Friday, August 5, at 11.45am followed by a wake at the Red Lion, Blue Town, to celebrate his life. Friends are asked to wear a claret and blue to mark his love of The Hammers.

He leaves a daughter, nurse Alex, from his first marriage, and a grandson, Thomas, aged four.