TRIBUTES have been paid to a councillor and well-known personalty in Kent soccer circles who has died after collapsing in London.

Doud Gillard, 71, represented the village of Charing on Ashford council for almost 15 years.

When he was not engaged on council business Mr Gillard was fanatical about football and was a high ranking member of several footballing bodies.

A former qualified referee, he was vice-president of the Ashford and Weald Kent Referees’ Association, vice president of the Kent County Football Association and chairman of Southern Football Association.

He died at St Thomas’ hospital in London, his family at his side. He had been to an FA meeting in London when he was taken ill on the return train journey.

Mr Gillard was a former chairman of Ashford Football Club and instrumental in the club’s move from their ground at Essella Road to the Homelands stadium around 15 years ago.

Gerry Clarkson, of the Conservative association in Charing, said: “Doug will leave a huge hole in the local political scene. He was one of those people who was always there in a quiet sort of way. A genuinely nice person, much-loved and respected.”

A little under two years ago he lost Pat, his wife of many years. They had moved to Weaver’s Way in South Ashford when she became unable to cope with the house in Charing.

They used to run the village shop at Coppings Corner where Mr Gillard would keep his finger on the pulse of the village.

Geoff Stanborough, who served with Mr Gillard in the local branch of the Referees Association and Kent Football Association and was a close friend for 40 years, said he was passionate about local football.

“He loved local football. It was his passion and he had the drive to motivate people.”

Mr Gillard and his wife had four daughters, Elizabeth, Alison, Susan and Margaret.