A FOOTBALL club volunteer who “rarely missed a game” has died, aged 79.

Dave Garwood was a huge part of Maldon and Tiptree FC and volunteered countless hours of his time to support the club.

When Tiptree United joined with Maldon Town in 2010, Dave came with the Tiptree team and continued volunteering.

He donated his time for more than15 years for both football clubs in a myriad of tasks, including operating turnstiles, greeting opposition in the boardroom, tidying the stadium and producing match reports.

Dave was born in Coggeshall and had lived most of his life in Tiptree, working as a production manager.

He was dedicated to the football club and even played for Tiptree United during the 1960s.

Maldon and Tiptree FC vice chairman Roger Stapleton said: “Dave’s passing is an extremely sad one for everyone involved at the club.

“He has been a huge supporter for a number of years and was always on hand to help out, wherever required.

“He will be missed by us all and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

His wife Sue, son James, daughter Debbie and grandson William have said how much they will miss him. 

Richard Buckby, media and communications manager at Maldon and Tiptree FC, said: “He’s done it all for the football club. The club will for ever be in debt to him for everything he’s done.

“He was a great guy, always there for a chat and it was a great part of his life - he’d rarely missed a game.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met a person that has a bad word to say about Dave.

“He never did anyone any wrong and in September he was right as rain so it’s all a bit of a shock.

“He’s had a big impact on the people here and he’s built up some close friends. There was another Dave as well, so they were known as the Daves together.

“He’s put in a lot of hours and effort into the club.

“His energy was infectious. He never shied away from doing anything and always put his hand up to do things and he always did anything he could for people.”