Ebbsfleet United left devastated by the passing of former club secretary Peter Danzey

Ebbsfleet United say they have been left “devastated” by the passing of former club secretary Peter Danzey.

Peter passed away in hospital on Friday afternoon after a short illness. He served as club secretary from 2009 to 2021.

Fleet chairman and owner Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi and chief executive Damian Irvine released a joint statement, paying tribute to Peter’s contribution to the club. The Fleet visit Gateshead in the National League on Saturday.

“We will travel north with very heavy hearts given the news that reached us of the passing of Peter Danzey,” they said.

“Peter was a trusted colleague and friend to so many, and a huge part of the club.

“We will remember Peter at our away match and will pay tribute at our home match next Saturday 26th August with Peter’s family and friends.

“We will take some time to process the sad and sudden news and find the right and fitting words and a way to pay tribute to Peter that does justice to his legacy at Stonebridge Road.

“Our hearts and thoughts are especially with Maggie and Peter’s wonderful family at this sad time.“

The club said Peter’s “diligent service and loyalty to the Fleet was second-to-none”. He was made honorary club secretary and still continued to attend as many games as he could once he stepped down as club secretary.

Peter was schooled in Swanscombe and began work at Empire Paper Mills in 1960, managing the finishing department there before taking on a role with Aylesford Newsprint until his retirement in 2009.

As a player, Peter turned out more than 800 times for his works side at Empire Paper Mills. A no-nonsense centre-half as he liked to describe himself, he played for 18 years from 1960-78 and after hanging up his boots continued to serve as the club’s