MANY tributes have been paid after it was announced that former Lakeside Hammers promoter Jon Cook has died, aged just 55.

Mark Sexton, a stalwart of Hammers and its predecessor club Arena Essex, spoke for many in Thurrock when he said: "I worked for, with and alongside Jon for over a decade and I'll be forever grateful for the opportunities he gave me, for the faith he showed in some of my ideas and for all the enjoyment and fun he allowed me to have from inside my favourite sport... RIP Jon."

Mr Cook passed away on Monday prompting British Speedway chairman Rob Godfrey to say: "Everyone connected with British speedway is in shock at this news.

"Our first thoughts are with Jon's family.

After a successful spell as co-promoter at Eastbourne Speedway where he won the league title in 1995 and 2000 and also the Knockout Cup three times, he moved to Lakeside Hammers in 2007.

A popular and forthright figure in the sport he guided Lakeside to become one of the country's top clubs and led the rebranding as Lakeside Hammers before the club lost its stadium because of a land development project.

He returned to Eastbourne in 2019 where the director of Eastbourne Speedway, Ian Jordan, said news of Jon's death was "shocking and frankly numbing" for everyone involved at Eastbourne Speedway both from the past and right up to the present day.

"Obviously, our thoughts are with Jon's sons and his ex-wife and current partner; and all of his extended family and close friends and associates.

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"I'm sure that everyone involved with the will hear this news with great sadness on a personal level and want to remember Jon fondly for his commitment and work for both our Club and also Lakeside/Thurrock Hammers and for the sport in general."