Gillingham will pay tribute to former owner and chairman Tony Smith before Saturday’s final home game, after he passed away last week aged 79.

Mr Smith’s death before the weekend was announced by the Gills who said they were devastated by the news.

The former owner had been in attendance at Priestfield only recently and his efforts to keep the club going during troubled times haven’t been forgotten.

A minute’s applause is expected to take place before the match with Newport County.

Mr Smith leaves behind wife Val, and daughters Rachel and Natalie.

A club statement said: “Tony was a humble, kind and loveable character. Everyone at the club will miss him greatly and fans will have the opportunity to give thanks, and pay tribute, to Tony prior to kick-off against Newport County.”

Mr Smith, a Gills fan, arrived at the club with struggles on and off the pitch. It was his money that was helping to keep the club afloat and he eventually put Gills for sale after claiming to have put in more than £1million.

He put up the £200,000 bond demanded by the Football League to guarantee against the club failing to complete the 1995/96 season.

Gills were eventually taken over by Paul Scally.

The club said: “Tony may have been at the helm during a difficult period for the club, but he kept it afloat during dark times at Priestfield and the role he played ensured that the Gills made it through to better days once more, and, for that, all Gillingham fans should be grateful.”

Fans reacted with glowing tributes, with development coach and fan Darryl Farley writing: “Quite simply the only reason the club survived in the early 90s. Put the passion before the pocket.”

Supporter Daren Chidwick wrote on Twitter: “Those halcyon days we enjoyed in the late 90s and early 2000s would not have happened without the legend that was Tony Smith. Any fan past or present owes him a debt of gratitude.”