Paddy Davitt A minute's silence in memory of 'Mr King's Lynn' Maurice Ebbs will precede today's FA Cup third qualifying round tie at Trafford Park.Lynn will wear black armbands in honour of the long-serving Linnets' official who passed away on Thursday night.

Paddy Davitt

A minute's silence in memory of 'Mr King's Lynn' Maurice Ebbs will precede today's FA Cup third qualifying round tie at Trafford Park.

Lynn will wear black armbands in honour of the long-serving Linnets' official who passed away on Thursday night.

Mr Ebbs served the club for over six decades in a variety of roles behind the scenes after watching his first game at The Walks in 1941.

Along with wife Jenny he was instrumental in running the Junior Linnets' supporters' club in tandem with his duties as travelling first team secretary before giving up the role due to ill health in 2006.

Lynn's reserve team will hold a minute's silence prior to their Ridgeons Premier home game today against Tiptree. The club also plan to pay tribute to Mr Ebbs prior to the next scheduled Blue Square North home league meeting against Farsley Celtic on Saturday, October 18.

“There will be never be another Maurice Ebbs at King's Lynn,” said Linnets' spokesman Mark Hearle. “This is a great loss and our thoughts are with his family at this time. Maurice was one of the most genuine blokes you could wish to meet who gave so many years loyal service. Arguably he was most fondly remembered for his work as the travelling secretary. One of my abiding memories will be him standing at the front of the coach, next to an open window, smoking his pipe.

“Not many volunteers are left today who dedicate as much time and effort as he did to their local football club. Even towards the end he took great pride attending matches in his club blazer. He was the life and soul in many away boardrooms. There wasn't a club he went to where he didn't know someone.

“In tough times when the club was not where it is now and we were going away from home getting hammered every other week he would still be there - organising pick up points for players, arranging the coaches. A truly great servant.”

Former Lynn managers Tommy Taylor and Gary Mills both visited Mr Ebbs recently while current Lynn boss Keith Webb paid tribute to his loyal support.

“I didn't know Maurice well but whenever I did see him at the games he would make a point of coming up beforehand to shake my hand and wish me luck,” he said. “It was nice to know you had that sort of support from someone who was so respected at the football club. My condolences obviously go out to his family and what is a very difficult time.”