It’s 20 years today since former Whites player Paul Sykes tragically passed away whilst playing for Folkestone Invicta, at the age of just 28.

Paul, who also played for Margate, Gillingham and Dartford during his career, collapsed after half an hour during Folkestone’s Kent Senior Cup semi-final against Margate on the 12th April 2004.

Paul’s family have organised a Memorial Fundraiser for the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity this weekend with signed Dover Athletic, Folkestone Invicta and Margate shirts available for auction.

On the anniversary of his passing, Dover Manager Jake Leberl has said:

I have such fond memories of Paul. We were the same year group growing up in the area, I shared many a football pitch with him on the local circuit. Paul was an infectious lad with a wonderful smile and wicked sense of humour and was such a talented footballer and sportsman. I can’t believe it’s 20 years, I remember the evening so well. I was playing for Dagenham at the time and I came off the pitch at Exeter to hear the devastating news of his passing along with my own Grandad on the same sad evening. I still think of him regularly to this day. Everyone here at Dover Athletic wish love and support to his nearest and dearest at this time. Gone but never forgotten.

Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Paul, who will always be fondly remembered not just at Dover Athletic but throughout Kent football.

More information on the CRY shirt auction: https://www.facebook.com/events/531972502858546/?active_tab=discussion