His former colleague Gary Croydon today described him as a "gentleman of the game".

Jim, who also managed Wick, East Preston, Peacehaven, Shoreham and Sussex, lost his courageous fight against cancer on Saturday at 3.30am.

His family were with him at his home in Burgess Hill.

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Throughout his increasingly debilitating battle against the disease Jim continued to try to help Burgess Hill Town until the final stages made it impossible.

He also played with the band The Business, and the week before his death had played with them, sitting down to play during the set.

A big, strong and skilful player, Jim played in good class amateur football including the highly successful Fratsom Rovers Sunday League side.

Jim will be buried in Cuckfield churchyard; a date for the funeral will be announced later this week. He leaves a wife Penni, daughters Sacha and Louise, and two grandsons Oscar, four and Theo, one.

His daughter Sacha said: "He was fighting until the end. He just wouldn't let go.

"Everyone is being so kind to us. We can't believe the number of people he touched, especially in football."

There will be a one minute's applause as a tribute to Jim before Wednesday evening's friendly match (7.15pm) at Leylands Park against a Brighton and Hove Albion side.

Burgess Hill's chief executive Gary Croydon said in a message to supporters: "Jim Thompson loved football and for those of us who were privileged to work with him, he will be a huge loss. He was a true gentleman of the game and irreplaceable."

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