THE Echo’s deputy sports editor Dick Marshall died on Sunday following a short illness.

Dick, 63, clocked up 40 years of service with the Echo and its sister paper the Southend Standard.

He was well known on the local non-league football circuit, but also wrote extensively on school sport, athletics and cricket.

“Dick was an absolute gentleman and it was a privilege to have known him and worked alongside him for the last 13 years,” said Echo sports editor Paul Alton.

“His loss will be felt throughout the local sports world and our heartfelt condolences go out to Dick’s family at this sad time.”

Dick's funeral will be held in the main chapel at Southend Crematorium in Sutton Road on Thursday, July 1, at 2.40pm.

The wake will be held afterwards at Great Wakering Rovers’ Burroughs Park ground in Little Wakering Hall Lane.

Dick’s family have requested flowers from the family only. Anyone wishing to make donations to the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK can do so via Stibbards & Sons Ltd Funeral Directors, 74 Ness Road, Shoeburyness, Essex, SS3 9DG.

Wednesday's Echo features a a two page tribute to Dick.