Dennis was a true football man and his knowledge of local football was unsurpassed. I never met him personally, but during a conversation I had with him recently via social media I found out a couple of things about the man. Firstly, he seemed to love Ely City Football Club and was clearly pleased that management of Brady Stone and the club in general are going in the right direction. The second thing I found out that he once tried to sign me from Royston Town which I knew nothing about. I suppose he really did know his football !

Dennis joined the club as Assistant Manager to Steve Taylor in 2004 and in his first season involved with the club won the First Division Knockout Cup. At the start of 2005/06 he became the Joint Manager with Steve, but then took over in March 2006 when Steve resigned. In his first game as sole manager Dennis recorded an 8-2 win against Godmanchester Rovers

The season 2006/07 was Dennis first full season in charge and came so close to gaining promotion from the First Division at the first attempt, but just missed out on the final day of the season.

The following season was a very memorable one for the club and Dennis personally, by winning the First Division Knockout Cup once again and then finishing Runners Up in the First Division to gain promotion back to the Premier Division after a five year absence.

In 2008/09 Dennis first season in the Premier Division the side finished in a credible 14th place, but in March 2009 he announced that he would be stepping down at the end of that season to take up the Director of Football role along with work on the clubs sponsorship side.

Dennis did not stay off the touchline and as early as September 2009 was back when Trevor Munns stepped down . Dennis remained in charge until the start of 2010/11 when on September 11th he announced his resignation.

Current First Team Manager Brady Stone commented ' Dennis signed me for Ely City and was truly a great man. From the moment I first met Den we clicked , not just football related ,but away from football as well. He always had time for everyone and will be sadly missed. Both Dennis and Alan Alsop as a pair made me enjoy football again and I will always thank him for that and for getting me into this amazing club. Miss ya big man '

The clubs Chairman during his stay at the club and current chairman Robert Button commented 'In his time as Manager Dennis was a gentleman and a friend to my wife Jean and myself. He never asked anything from the club that they could not afford and was a true football man through and through. I will miss him telling me that it was always windy at the ground '.

Current Football Secretary Derek Oakey commented that 'Dennis was the one of the best to liaise with from a secretary's point of view. I will never forget when I dropped a fire cracker behind him and made him jump ! '

Former Robins manager Alan Alsop who Dennis brought to club commented 'that Dennis was the one that got me to come to Ely and work with him. Working with Dennis was an absolute pleasure as he had a wicked sense of humour and we shared so many happy times together. I shall miss our chats on the phone,but mostly I will miss him as a friend RIP Dennis

There has been so many ,many more lovely comments from former players, teammates and friends on social media respecting Dennis as a football man and as a person.

The club sends out its deepest condolences to his wife Shona and all of his family

The club will observe a minutes silence before the start of the up and coming game on Tuesday 12th September v Godmanchester Rovers KO 7:45pm