The club are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Fleet supporter Dave Holden.
A familiar face to so many at the club over many years, Dave was taken ill suddenly last week.
A season-ticket holder for decades, Dave’s contribution to the club was of course so much more. He was the man responsible for bringing the Fleet into the internet age, building and maintaining the club’s first ever website from the late 1990s through to 2007.
It was his dedication over many years that enabled supporters to follow the club remotely and much more closely than ever before. In addition to the official website, Dave also set up the Fleet’s first ever fans’ forum, a job which he once again applied himself to for many years as it underwent change, growth and development.
Dave was a peer of numerous long-standing Fleet supporters, many of whom will have gone to school alongside him at Gravesend Grammar School and grew up with him watching the Fleet from the 1960s well into the 21st century.
He stood on the halfway line for many years before watching from the seats in the Plough End following the opening of the new stand and he regularly attended home and away games with his regular crew of fellow Fleet supporters. This season, like so many of you, Dave had to follow his beloved club via the online streaming platform where he was a regular voice of support from the cyberspace sidelines.
He was also a former shareholder and vice-president of the club through his generous purchase of a 10-year season ticket when times were tough financially for the Fleet.
Dave had many friends inside the club and around it on the terraces and this news will come as a shock to many – he will be sadly missed by all of us and no doubt all of you.
Our thoughts are with Dave’s wife Jean and his family and friends at this sad time.
