AFC TOTTON are mourning the passing of their former chairman Andy Straker.

The club announced this morning that Andy had died, aged just 51, after nearly two years' bravely battling a brain tumour.

Paying tribute to Andy, current chairman Wayne Mew said: "Andy gave his heart and soul to this football club from when he was appointed chairman in the summer of 2013 until he stood down due to his illness November 2016.

"The club would like to send their heartfelt condolences to Andy’s wife Dawn and also to his family and friends."

Team boss Louis Langdown echoed those sentiments, tweeting: "Andy will forever be connected to AFC Totton.

"In any future success, on or off the pitch, the supporters and guardians of the club will raise your name in gratitude.

"You stepped in when the Club was at its most vulnerable, full of courage and spirit to ensure we survived. A true Stag."

Andy, who had worked as a regional organiser for the trade union Unison, was first and foremost an AFC Totton fan.

He said at the time of standing down as Stags chairman: “I don’t want people thinking I’m running away. I wouldn’t be making this decision if I wasn’t ill.

"I can’t help the club going forward, so it’s no good me just sitting there with a grand title.

"Leaving Totton’s the last thing I wanted to do. They’re a great bunch, from management through to supporters, and to not be able to be part of that on a Saturday afternoon isn’t great.”