Loyal club member had '˜heart of gold'

Chris Palmer, 72, a longstanding member of the club in both a working and social capacity, died in hospital last week while awaiting a pre-arranged heart operation.

Bob Marchant, chairman of Arundel FC, said:

“He gave every spare minute of his time to the club. If I ever asked him to do anything it was never a problem, he would always do it.”

Chris, who had retired from his job at the Portsmouth Water Company, was integral to the club, working behind the bar, doing painting and decorating and working on the grounds.

“He was pretty set in his ways and could be little grumpy a times but he had a heart of gold,” Mr Marchant said.

“When someone’s taken that quickly it is horrible,” he added, saying that people coming to the club for a variety of reasons were ‘quite upset and distraught’ when they learned the news.

“I don’t think anybody can quite believe it. He had become part of the family really,” he added.

Chris, who lived in Eastergate, leaves behind a sister, as well as nieces and nephews.

Those who knew him are welcome at the funeral service on Friday, December 2 at Chichester Crematorium. Beginning at 10.15am, the service will feature big band music which Chris always enjoyed.

Six volunteers from the club will act as pallbearers at the ceremony.