Gillingham Football Club this week announced the death of their former player Lenny Piper, passing away at the age of 46.

The club said they were devastated at the loss of their former player who made a big impact during his short spell at Priestfield.

He died after what the club said was a long illness.

Piper joined the Gills from Wimbledon - then a top-flight side - for a £40,000 fee in the summer of 1996 - announcing his arrival with a stoppage-time winner on his debut after coming off the bench for the opening game of the 1996/97 season against Bristol City.

The report of the game described how the “precious and precocious talents of Lenny Piper had everyone talking.”

Piper, making his debut as an 83rd-minute substitute for injured Steve Butler, had just turned 19 and “provoked glorious bedlam with the winner two minutes into stoppage time.”

His volleyed winner for Tony Pulis’ side marked a dream start for the player, with his family there to watch at Priestfield.

Lenny commented after that he feared he would be cautioned by the referee over his wild celebrations and said: “When I explained to him that I just wanted to see my Dad he was okay.”

The rest of his Gills career sadly failed to live up to that debut performance but he was a popular figure within the team, with former team-mate Barry Ashby describing him as a “great lad and an absolute player.”

He made four league starts that season and a further 15 substitute appearances. On top of that, he also featured in all three domestic cup competitions, scoring his only other Gills goal in a Football League Trophy match against Cardiff City.

His time at the Gills was to end after suffering a broken leg the following season during a reserve match in early 1998.

He was released at the end of that season and went on to enjoy success in non-league football, including spells with Margate and Welling United.

He had been capped by England as a schoolboy and youth level while at Wimbledon and later on in his non-league career he was a key man for St Albans and his goals helped Farnborough win promotion to the Football Conference. Fans there nicknamed him Sir Lenny Piper after three successful years there.

A tribute from Farnborough said: “Lenny was also part of the squad to reach the Fourth Round Proper of the FA Cup in 2003, coming on as a substitute at Highbury in the defeat to Arsenal.

“Lenny left the Club at the end of that season with his brother Chris, but always received a hero’s welcome when returning with opposition clubs.

“A talented footballer who had the ability to excite a crowd with his skills and eye for goal. Sadly, taken far too young.”

Piper was also a popular player at London side Fisher, scoring 32 goals for them in 123 appearances, often playing alongside his brother Chris. He was briefly caretaker manager of the team.

One Gills fan said: “Although he was only at Gills for a short time I still remember the impact he had. Cracking little player - so young, so sad.”