Barry had been with the club for over 40 years, coming to help and support when his life-long friend Mick Clarke joined the Shrimpers as a player. Barry had been everything from sponge man to club chairman over the years and despite poor health in recent years was always seen at games, home and away, and was still a committee member at the time of his death.

His sudden passing has left huge gap at the Royal Oak ground and at half time of Saturday's game with Framlingham, with his widow Jill and family present, current club chairman Tony Armstrong unveiled the new plaque commemorating Barry's life with the club, and the bench placed in the spot where he would sit at home games, usually with Mick who he came to watch all those years ago.

Jill was also presented with a cheque for £1,700 which had been raised at the Harwich Angels charity match in August, which Barry had been involved with organising before his passing. This money goes to Age Well East, a charity helping those living with Alzheimer's.

The Shrimpers did Barry proud with a 3-2 win over Framlingham and stay top of the league.

RIP Barry, and don't forget, in his words, "it'll soon be Christmas".