Roger Sherwood, who was honoured with the club's Silverlake Stadium restaurant being named after him, has passed away after a long illness, aged 74.

Roger, who leaves his wife Jenny, children Paul and Donna and nine grandchildren, spent nine seasons as a striker at the club during the Swaythling Athletic years, from 1968-1977, before retiring through injury. He scored 139 goals in 289 appearances and remains the club's third highest goalscorer of all time.

He returned as Spitfires manager from the end of the 1994/95 season. Roger’s time as manager lasted two years, guiding the club to their highest ever finish – fourth place in the Jewson Wessex League Division 1 – in the 1995/96 season.

His role transitioned into the boardroom in 1997/98, when he became Chairman and immediately started a campaign to get the club into the Southern League, which was achieved in the 2002/03 season.

In 2004/05, with Roger Sherwood still at the helm as Chairman, Eastleigh won promotion at the first time of asking to reach the Nationwide Conference South.

An ‘Eastleigh Social Club’ side also reached the final of the Carlsberg Pub Cup at Wembley Stadium, after a semi-final triumph at Anfield.

During a lengthy and fruitful career in local football, Roger also managed AFC Totton, Romsey Town, Gosport Borough and the county side. Many of his players followed him throughout his career.

Roger enjoyed socialising after games and was a very well known and hugely respected figure in local football circles.

He was also a businessman who owned Sherwood's body shop opposite St Mary's Stadium.

A huge horse racing fan, Roger was a founder member of the horse racing syndicate Jolly Roger Racing who owned Rileyskeepingfaith which had great success with trainer Mick Channon and was eventually sold to Godolfin.

Roger and former Saints great Mick Channon were captains of a Saints v Eastleigh game at 10 Acres to mark the inauguration of Eastleigh's floodlights.

He was described as a larger than life character who will be missed by many.