A fundraiser has been launched in an effort to build a new spectator stand at Sandbach United FC which will be dedicated to a club stalwart.

Andy Kimber, 60, died earlier this month and left behind "a void at the club which will quite simply be impossible to fill", said Mike Senior.

Mike, who is the club's secretary, told Sandbach Nub News: "We need another stand if we get promoted to meet ground grading, so it seemed fitting that we use it as a memorial somewhere that Andy loved."

Andy was a goalkeeping coach with the Ramblers and Mike described him as having "football in his blood", adding, "it was the blue of Manchester City and the blue and white of Sandbach United."

His daughter Rachael Kimber said: "He has been an avid supporter of Manchester City since he was taken to his first City match as a young boy, but in the past few years, he has favoured watching and supporting Sandbach United."

It wasn't just as a coach that Andy became a well-known character in the footballing community across the region, having played for Goostrey, Market Tavern and Hays Chemicals in his younger days.

Andy went onto hone his coaching craft at Macclesfield Town and with Stoke City's youth team at a time when their 1st team was in the Premier League and also went onto manage Northwich Victoria when they were a conference side.

Describing his impact at Sandbach, Mike wrote on the Just Giving page: "Andy was a very special guy with such an immense sense of pride passion and of course a wicked humour, he has been a huge part of our journey as a 1st team into semi-professional football and we could not thank him enough for his support."

He described Andy as "giant of a man", adding, "you would struggle to find a person who didn't like him."

It is with this legacy in mind that the club is aiming to raise £5,000 to go towards a spectator stand that will be named in memory Andy.

Mike explained: "Andy will always be a part of our club even now he has gone he will never be forgotten and that is why I have created this page to raise funds so that we can have at the club something permanent in Andy's name in honour of his time with us."

Andy's funeral will take place today (18 December), starting at the Sandbach United grounds on Hind Heath Road at 10:45am and will depart 10 minutes later for Crewe Crematorium, arriving at 11:20am.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, numbers inside the crematorium are limited to 30 people, but those unable to attend can watch a live webcast of the service. Just click here and enter the order ID: 60598 and the password: qjgammfb