HUNDREDS of mourners attended a funeral to pay their respects to Southend United’s longest standing member of staff.

Grandfather Ray Davy, who had worked at the club for a staggering 63 years, passed away in January aged 88.

Ray started his association with the Blues at the age of 25, back in August 1955, and has been a stalwart of the club ever since.

And on Tuesday, hundreds of family and friends packed out his funeral at St Mary’s Church as they paid respect to the highly regarded member of the community.

His daughter, Elaine Mepham, said: “It was the day that dad would have wanted.

“He always use to tell me, I am Mr Southend, and that is why he wanted to keep working until the end of his life, and that is what he did. He was a real family man and he really was so happy to see the birth of his great grandchildren.

“Southend United was a huge part of his life, and he loved working with them until the very end.”

Ray was also an integral part in the community as a councillor and previously the chairman of the England Supporter’s Club, organising trips across the world for thousands.

The list of jobs Ray undertook at Southend United is almost endless.

The stalwart member ran the Roots Hall market three times a week when it was in its thriving prime, as well as organising Roots Hall stadium tours for schools in the area.

The club legend also worked in the market operations and the community work department at the club as well as dealing with charity requests, running the car park on match days, greeting fans and guests with his unique sense of humour and bright smile.

In 2013, Ray joined fellow supporters and three generations of his family as 30,000 Shrimpers travelled to Wembley for the Johnston’s Paint Trophy final.

Ray was joined by his son, Ray Davy junior, who previously worked in the kit department, and his grandson Jamie who previously worked on matchdays patrolling the car park at Roots Hall.