Tributes paid after death of the Rocks' top fundraiser of all-time

Maurice Warner, who has died of cancer aged 78, was commercial manager, secretary, programme editor and was the driving force behind money-raising schemes likes the sponsors’ draw and 100 Club.

Rocks manager Jack Pearce has led the tributes and many fans have been recalling their dealings with a man who loved foreign travel and always had a dodgy joke to tell in the boardroom.

The club have lost a number of loyal and long-serving volunteers in the past year but Pearce said: “Maurice raised more funds for the club than any other person.

“He was a very dear friend who did a wide variety of jobs at the club. All the players loved travelling with him to away games and he was a great raconteur.”

Some of Maurice’s ashes will be scattered at Nyewood Lane.

He's the latest in a line of club legends to pass away in recent times - others like Bernie Gumbrell, Tony Baker and Graham Mackintosh have also been mourned in the past year or so.

Others to pay tribute included general manager Simon Cook, who recalled the day Maurice issued precise directions as they took the kit for a Bognor game at Eastbourne Town... only for them to arrive at Eastbourne United instead.

Fan Barry Anderson paid this tribute:"Right now there's a queue at the pearly gates. Up at the front, St Peter is struggling to get a word in. Some bloke in a green-and-white scarf is telling his story. He's up to the late 1960s - or was it the early 70s? That cup match at Abingdon... the night the coach broke down.

"The stories pour forth, the jokes get (even) worse and the (by now slightly dazed) recording angels are only vaguely aware they've bought tickets for next season's sponsor's draw. THEN, when he's good and ready, he'll go in. Rest in Peace, Mo."

See many more tributes to Maurice here