HEYBRIDGE Swifts chairman Gary White said he was so glad that the club had honoured the memory of Mr Swifts, Mick Gibson, while he was still alive by the naming of a stand at the Scraley Road ground in his honour.

One of three stands at the Aspen Waite Arena was dedicated to Mick's loyal service to the club in 2017.

White said: "Too often these days, the memory of a person is honoured by such a naming after they have died.

"So it was lovely to honour Mick's contribution to the club over more than 65 years including using his hands to build walls.

"When we invited Mick down to the ground for the unveiling, he didn't have a clue what was hidden underneath the tarpaulin on the stand. It was a truly lovely moment."

If the Swifts had a Hall of Fame then Mick, 79, would be the first name inscribed as he was the constant force in transforming a carrot field into a football stadium and creating a football team that has reached the FA Cup First Round three times, hosted an FA Trophy Quarter-Final and won numerous Essex Senior League honours.

Mick was still watching the Swifts in pre-season friendlies before he was admitted to Broomfield Hospital last week.

White added: "We were deeply saddened to announce the passing on Saturday morning of Heybridge Swifts FC Life President and club legend Mick.

"Mick's contribution to the growth and development of the Swifts over the last 65 years has been massive, having been an active member of the club's committee from the age of only 14, following in the footsteps of his father Bert."

Mick was born on April 1,1942 but he was no April fool and had a cheeky sense of humour that Swifts fans adored. He had a very pragmatic attitude to the game he loved and the vast number of tributes that have been posted bear witness to that.

Mick served on the Isthmian League board for more than 20 years and his contribution to non-league football can never be underestimated.

White noted: "Mick's influence and drive and the friendships he created through the club over the years, literally building the stadium, will live long in the memory.

"Mick's name is synonymous with Heybridge Swifts and as chairman for the past five years I simply could not have had a better mentor and confidante to ensure the club is protected and guided in the right way.

"Mick was chairman himself for many years, throughout the most successful period in the club's history.

"It is now incumbent upon those of us now running the club to make sure we look after it and move on to higher achievements, always retaining the great family feel throughout it, encouraging local people to participate and socialise in this wonderful game of ours.

"We are only too pleased that we were able to recognise Mick's massive contribution to the club's fortunes by staging a testimonial for him in 2016 and naming a stand after him.

"That will remain the Mick Gibson Stand for as long as the club is in existence.

"Mick's health had deteriorated in recent months and it was sad that the lockdown prevented him from seeing the development work at the stadium and many competitive games, although he was able to attend two pre-season friendlies, but clearly Mick was not well at the time."

Mick leaves behind his wife of more than 50 years, Linda, his children Sarah and Mark, as well as a number of grandchildren, including Max Clarke who is a big Swifts fan.

White said: "I am sure Max will keep the family connection for many years to come.

"Mick also leaves behind his Heybridge Swifts family and the wider football family around the non-league scene who knew and loved him and whose lives were enriched by being in his company."