Brentford FC is saddened to report that Club President Denis Smith died yesterday, Thursday March 5.

Denis, who was the founding Chairman of the Brentford Lifeline Society - a position he held until standing down recently due to ill health, had a long association with the Club.

He was appointed as Club President in 2003.

Peter Gilham, the Club's Player Liaison Manager and an old friend of Denis, has written the following tribute:

"In my own humble opinion, I believe Denis was of a legendary status in respect of the time and energy he put into working for and on behalf of the second love of his life…..Brentford Football Club.

"Denis` work, or as he would have viewed it, his mission of love, stretches back well over 70 years when he first started working for the Club voluntarily assisting with their accounts, and he continued to serve the Club either directly or indirectly until ill health prevented him in recent years.

"It is thanks to people such as Denis Smith that Brentford Football Club has survived as it has to become a highly respected and formidable club.

"Probably the greatest testament to Denis and a legacy of which he can be very proud, is the continuing important part that the Lifeline Society plays (for which he was Chairman since its inception in 1986 until ill health saw him reluctantly step down in recent years), in supporting numerous Club ventures and initiatives across the board, and in particular the investment in youth projects.

"Whilst regrettably we have seen rather less of Denis, because of ill health, than we would have hoped, he has been forever in the thoughts of those who knew him and thus whilst Denis is now at peace, the family that is Brentford Football Club will mourn one of its favourite sons.

"It is reassuring to know that he seemed to be at total peace with himself in his final hours and no doubt very content to know that he would soon be reunited to the true love of his life….his beloved wife Renee."