A former Sittingbourne FC footballer and popular pub landlord has died.

James Whyte, who starred for the Brickies as a midfielder between 1957 and 1962, passed away aged 83 on November 14.

James’s football career began in his native Glasgow at the now defunct Scottish league club, Third Lanark.

He moved south of the border following a transfer to Southend United in 1953 and his move to Kent League Sittingbourne followed four years later.

After hanging up his boots aged 32, James became a salesman for Swale Motors, progressing to manager while based at the firm’s Sittingbourne and Sheerness branches.

He stayed in the vehicle trade for more than 20 years before running The Fox pub in London Road, Teynham, from 1984 to 1990.

His son, Scott, 55, said: “Because of his long time as a car salesman, Dad was a friendly, humorous, funny sort of guy. He was easy to approach and a good people person.”

James, who lived in West Ridge, Sittingbourne, and leaves two children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, returned to Scotland to work as a starter, managing start times and tee-sheets, at the world famous St Andrews golf course, long regarded as the sport’s spiritual home.

He stayed for two happy years before returning to England to tend to the greens at Kings Hill Golf Club where he became its first honorary member. James retired in 2007 aged 78.

He passed away at the Wisdom Hospice in Rochester where he was admitted after suffering a heart attack earlier this year.

His partner of 23 years, Juna Woodhouse, 82, said: “He was a real laugh, a real character.

“He was very likeable and wherever he went people would remember him. Even in hospital, certain nurses there said they wouldn’t forget him – neither will we.

“He had a good life and that’s what I keep saying to myself. He lived his life to the full.”

• James’s funeral takes place from 10am on Friday at the Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing.