Leverstock Green F.C. is devastated to report that chairman, match secretary and bar manager Graham Smart passed away last night.
Graham had been match secretary at the club since 2003, took over the running of the bar a few years ago, and had only a few weeks ago stepped into the role of acting chairman.
Tributes to Graham came in from across the board of non-league and Hertfordshire football. Here are a selection of those tributes.
All our thoughts, love & support are with @levgreenfc today following the death of Mr Leverstock Green Graham Smart.
A great man who dedicated & gave so much to the club.
Condolences to his family, his friend & all at the club.
— Kings Langley FC (@KLFCofficial) March 23, 2019
Such devestating news.
My thoughts with Graham’s family, friends and those at Leverstock Green FC
I spoke to him earlier this season, he had such passion for local non-league football. https://t.co/lXZzH8Jr39
— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) March 23, 2019
Heartbroken. Massive shock. Graham was the heart and soul of @levgreenfc . Will be greatly missed and my thoughts are with his family and friends
— DeckchairPete (@DeckchairPete) March 23, 2019
So very sad to hear, Great clubman and a decent person, another one of non leagues great unsung behind the scenes volunteers, thoughts and condolences to the club and in particular Graham's family
— Julian Robinson (@jumaro63) March 23, 2019
So sorry to hear that . He was always a great friend of our club. Our thoughts are with you and his family
— St Margaretsbury FC (@StMargaretsbury) March 23, 2019
Deepest condolences to all the family and all @levgreenfc. A dedicated man for so many years.
Some people are irreplaceable and are the rocks who pick up the pieces of others, Graham was one of those rocks. RIP Graham 💔 https://t.co/hZfY8FQ2yP— OXHEY JETS F.C. (@1972Jets) March 23, 2019
Absolutely heartbroken to hear the terribly sad news from @levgreenfc. I loved my visits to Levi with @WGCFC and Graham was always friendly and welcoming. A huge loss to our Football community. Thoughts and prayers go to his family and the club. 💔
— Karen Fisher (@KarenFisher57) March 23, 2019
All @DunstableTownFC send their Condolences and prayers to Grahams family and all @levgreenfc. Graham was a true gent in every sense of the word.
— Dunstable Town FC 💙 (@DunstableTownFC) March 23, 2019
Me and Chloe are absolutely gutted to hear this.This is where my journey began and had a lot of memories along the way with him ! never was he unhappy he just loved football and personally I thank you.I’m wishing Emma and tony and all the family love at this difficult time ❤️⚽️🌲
— Luke Eley (@lukeeley96) March 23, 2019
Also devastated to hear this sad news. What a great servant to @levgreenfc over many years. He was tweeting from our U18s game midweek. Will be missed by lots of people around local football. Please on our condolences to his family & all at the club
— Tring Athletic FC (@tringathletic) March 23, 2019
Our thoughts go out to our old friends @levgreenfc upon hearing of the sudden passing of their chairman Graham Smart. Graham has worked tirelessly in local non-league football for many years. He will be sorely missed. 💚💙
— Hertford Town FC (@HertfordTownFC) March 23, 2019
Thoughts with all @levgreenfc desperately sad. I popped down to a game this season and Graham came over and chatted to me for about ten minutes. A real gent and made me feel very welcome. RIP
— Toddington Rovers FC (@fc_toddington) March 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/brimajohnson/status/1109430333609594881
Sincere and deepest condolences to Graham’s family, friends and everyone @levgreenfc . A true unsung non-league legend. Always positive, reliable and dedicated. Cut from a cloth that sadly they don’t sell anymore. 💔
— Paul Leslie (@Laul_Peslie) March 23, 2019
Terrible news to wake up to, Rest In Peace mate – would always do his best for the good of the club and players. Always made me feel welcome when I was at the club. He will never be forgotten.
— Reece Fallon (@Reecefallon) March 23, 2019
RIP Graham Smart @levgreenfc , a proper bloke who is gonna be missed by all @tringathletic pic.twitter.com/zjZOE9mVsN
— Andy Ayres (@andyayres68) March 23, 2019
@levgreenfc Oxhey Jets & Harpenden Town pat respects to Graham Smart pre kick off pic.twitter.com/kFF25XxbOp
— OXHEY JETS F.C. (@1972Jets) March 23, 2019
Minute silence at @DunstableTownFC in memory of @levgreenfc Graham Smart. pic.twitter.com/qQKlAdBLg2
— Toddington Rovers FC (@fc_toddington) March 23, 2019
Impeccable minutes silence observed here in memory of @levgreenfc chairman Graham Smart @Biggleswadeutd @HertsAdSport @verulamsport
— London Colney FC (@LCFC1907) March 23, 2019
Great tribute from our chairman @JSR1960 and mark of respect from the supporters here at Langford Road for @levgreenfc chairman and sec Graham Smart who sadly passed away last night. pic.twitter.com/uPfcJxC5vO
— Biggleswade FC (@BiggleswadeFc1) March 23, 2019
A minutes applause was held in memory of Graham Smart here at Langford Road. @levgreenfc were due to be close by in @PottonUnited today- a trip Graham admitted he was looking forward to when we saw him this week
— Colney Heath FC (@ColneyHeathFC) March 23, 2019
Such sad news, Graham was one of the nicest person I’ve met, always had a smile on his face and was always so welcoming. He made my time at the club such a good experience. Condolences to all his loved ones…..RIP 💔
— Damion Cruickshank (@damion_c) March 23, 2019
A minutes silence for @levgreenfc ‘s Graham Smart was impeccably observed by both teams today pic.twitter.com/jNHOqe2pD0
— Hadley FC (@hadleyfc) March 23, 2019
Sometimes there are things bigger that football. Volunteers are so hard to come by, Graham Smart was a great football man. As a club we send our condolences to all at @levgreenfc and his family and friends. RIP Graham Smart 🙏🏻
— Wembley FC (@WembleyFC) March 23, 2019
When I was Manager @levgreenfc I had the pleasure of getting to know Graham and his family outside football. I am absolutely gutted by this news, he was a real family man, passionate about his football especially Leverstock Green. RIP Graham. Love to your family.#footballfamily
— Steve Heath (@heathy110) March 23, 2019
Got home to very sad news for local football. Thoughts go out to all @levgreenfc and Graham’s family https://t.co/VOLAL9ldMK
— Luther Blissett OBE DL (@LBliss8) March 23, 2019