Ebbsfleet secretary Peter Danzey has been honoured by the Football Association for 50 years of service to the sport.

Mr Danzey played more than 800 games for local works team Empire Paper Mills between 1960 and 1978 and he continued to serve as secretary until the club disbanded in 1996.

He joined the council of the Gravesend League that year and managed their representative team from 1997.

Mr Danzey became assistant secretary of the league in 2000 and fixture secretary in 2005.

In 2009, he succeeded Roly Edwards as Fleet secretary, working alongside manager Liam Daish for four years. He continues in the role under the club’s new owners.

Mr Danzey was presented with his award by FA Council member Philip Smith at the Kent FA’s annual meeting on Saturday.

He said: “I’m pleased as punch because it’s not something that’s given out lightly.

“I had a fantastic time at Empire Paper Mills and the club had a lot of success. Of the team that won the Kent Junior Cup in 1981, 10 of the 11 played semi-professional football."

So what qualities does a good secretary need?

“You’ve got to become a bit of a geek, you’ve got to have a system."

Read the full interview in the Gravesend Messenger.