by Lewis Dyson

Tributes have been paid to a former Sittingbourne footballer who has passed away at the age of 84.

Charlie Ruttercorr was player manager for the Brickies in the late 1950s and early ‘60s.

He took the team to the Kent League Championship in 1959 and fifth place in the Southern League the following year.

The president of Sittingbourne Football Club, Alan Crowshawcorr, 79, was in the squad a year or so after Charlie and remembers him from his time there.

The former winger said: “I never played with him but I knew him to talk to.

“He was always a friendly fellow and you could always get on with him and have a chat and speak your mind with him.”

Club secretary John Pitts said: “We were very sorry to hear of the passing of one of our ex-managers, Charlie Rutter.

“Charlie managed the Brickies for a short but successful period. It was people like Charlie who built up the club and we are forever indebted to them.”

Born in Bromley in 1927, Rutter began his career as a footballer at Plymouth Argyle after leaving London during the Second World War.

He later transferred to Taunton Town where he was spotted by Cardiff City in 1951.

Playing as right back, he was part of the team that won promotion to Division One in the 1951- 52 season.

His performances for the club earned him a call-up to the England B team, making him one of only two people to have been selected for the country while at the Welsh club.

After a spell for Exeter City he moved to Sittingbourne before returning to Wales in the early 1960s.

He went on to run a pet shop in Cardiff for 45 years and retired in 2006.

The funeral was due be held at Llanishen Church today (Friday) at 9.45am.