Ebbsfleet United is saddened to learn earlier this morning of the passing on November 9th of long-term supporter Robbie Smith.

Robbie, 59, attended countless matches at Stonebridge Road and almost as many more away from home since the 1980s and was a recognisable face amongst his fellow fans on the terraces and more than a few club bars around the country!

A former Gravesend Grammar School pupil, Robbie grew up with the Fleet (and his other love, Chelsea), making many friends around the club. During the 1990s, he was a regular at The Peacock where numerous Fleet fans congregated and celebrated – and enjoyed many great club days out with his friends from there including the FA Cup tie at Aston Villa in 1996 and the FA Trophy success of 2007/08. He was also good friends with many of the people involved in the running of the club from the late Nineties through to 2007 when the Fleet won the Ryman League title and consolidated the club’s place in the Conference.

Despite his cancer diagnosis which he lived with in recent years, Robbie was still active in attending as many Fleet games as he could while also spending lots of time with family and friends at home and abroad.

Close friend Mark Pettitt, who regularly attended home and away games with Robbie down the years, posted on the Fleet supporters’ Facebook group that “he remained cheerful to the end, never losing his wit and charm” – a fact that all those who knew Robbie would attest to.

Everyone at the club sends their very best wishes and sympathies at this time to Robbie’s family and friends. A fuller recollection about Robbie will be published in our programme v Eastleigh on Wednesday, November 27th.