In a year where COVID-19 has affected so many of us in the Kent football family, news was announced the week that one of the stalwarts of the game in the Medway Towns had lost a battle with this horrible disease…
Laurence Plummer, described as the heartbeat behind SCEFL side Hollands & Blair, sadly passed away on Monday after a short battle with COVID.
KSN Chief football writer Mike Green knew “Plum” for many years and pays our tribute to arguably the one of the kindest, more helpful and generous men our wonderful game has ever seen in Kent or any other part of the country…
“Both the out pouring of grief that followed the news along with the incredible stream of messages about the man himself, both from within the game and in the wider community of Twydall in Gillingham where the Plummer family call home, really is quite incredible and a testament to the man that he was.”
“He was a quiet man, but when it came to football few were his equal then, now or perhaps forever – it’s a phrase that is often used when people pay tribute to others but Plum really was one of a kind and they most definitely broke the mould with him, even though his son Ryan may disagree…”
“One memory I have of Plum that will live with me personally ironically has nothing to do with football. Back in 2002, I was lucky enough, along with two friends, to attend the Ryder Cup at the Belfry. And on the Saturday afternoon, as I was taking my place behind one of the greens – I think it was the 16th – who was sitting in a seat three rows behind me? Yes he certainly was… he loved his golf in his time, but to see him there in amongst thousands of other golf fans supporting Tony Jacklin’s side in a way summed him up – a passionate sports fan who appreciated the very best!”
“But it really was football that was his true love, and I’m glad that the final English Champions he was to see were his beloved Liverpool. But back in Gillingham, it was his beloved Hollands & Blair that took much of his time as there were at one time based in the pub where his wife Shirley worked – sometimes it was a wonder how he found the time for his football and still his day job in the City.”
“But like so many other unsung heroes of our game, he did and more and as a part of his diligence and commitment, Blair grew and grew and first became a real force in the Rochester and District League.”
“The step up to the Kent Invicta League was a natural development for the club and Plum was of course one of the leaders that took Blair forward and is where his amazing partnership with Paul Piggott began, first as Piggott became manager and then returned as Chairman of the club as the meteoric rise continued into SCEFL and with it Plum’s reputation as an administrator grew and grew as did his number of admirers until he was recognised as one of Kent’s most respected officials.”
“But all the time, and hopefully this will make sense, Plum was still Plum – he never let his amazing reputation get ahead of him and he was always there for support and guidance if and when it was needed – nothing was ever too much for him.”
“In a year that Kent football has lost so very much on and off the pitch, news of Plum’s death is quite possibly the final nail in the story of a footballing year that so many of us want to forget.”
“What with this horrible news coming seemingly so close on the heels of the news from earlier in the year of the passing of Colin Boswell, Kent football, and in particular football in Gillingham and the rest of the Medway Towns will never ever be the same.”
“Thanks for everything Plum – it really was a privilege and an honour to have known you… RIP!”
Picture supplied by Hollands & Blair Football Club.