IT was standing room only, with probably a couple hundred outside, as East Thurrock United said farewell to former club owner and stalwart Bennie Bennett.

The charismatic Mr Bennett passed away on 4 December after a year long battle with cancer.

Today ( Monday, 30 December) his horse-drawn hearse left the football club at Rookery Hill in Corringham for a committal service at Bowers crematorium.

Around 500 members of his family, friends and football supporters turned out to say farewell to the enigmatic local character and businessman who saved the club from financial oblivion in 2002 and went on to guide it to new heights in the non-League football pyramid, including two appearances in the FA Cup First Round.