Folkestone Invicta Football Club would like to pay tribute to long-time Radio Kent and BBC South East reporter Neil Bell who passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.

‘Belly’ as he was known to so many, would have been 62 in a couple of weeks time, and had been fighting cancer for over a year.

We send our sincere condolences to his family, former colleagues, and friends.

FIFC boss Neil Cugley added his own tribute, saying: “He was a lovely man and, for me, had the best voice for radio and TV that I’ve ever heard.

“I hadn’t think I’d heard from him for quite a while, but he was always a gentleman and always helpful and friendly when we came into contact.

Former sports journalist Mick Cork added: “Belly was one of the best.

“He seemed to have disappeared from our screens just over a year or so ago following cut backs and changes at the Beeb, but I hadn’t realised that he was ill.

“I too would like to express my condolences, especially to those close to him.”