Raising money toward a club memorial for coach Andy Kimber

It is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to one of the finest gentlemen ever to grace the club and the football scene. Andrew Kimber a Goalkeeping coach at Sandbach United FC sadly passed away this month leaving behind a void at the club which will quite simply be impossible to fill.

Andy was heavily involved at the club and would spend most of the week and his spare time at the club as a volunteer to helping anyone who asked, the kids simply adored him. Andy was a very special guy with such an immense sense of pride passion and of course a wicked humour and would be present every weekend without fail morning and afternoon, he has been a huge part of our journey as a 1st team into semi professional football and we could not thank him enough for his support and friendship.

Andy will always be a part of our club even now he has gone he will never be forgotten and that is why I have created this page to raise funds so that we can have at the club something permanent in Andy's name in honour of his time with us. Ideally we would like to create an Andy Kimber named stand so he can be part of the club and community as it grows

"Father-of-two and grandfather-of-two Andy, 60, was a club legend who trained and prepared the club's senior keepers, coached the junior and women's teams and took on a range of duties around the club. "A fantastic colleague, a wonderful coach and a dedicated volunteer. " Andrew was a well-known and much-loved member of the community. He was an incredibly kind-hearted man who would do anything for anyone. "Football was in his blood; it was the blue of Manchester City and the blue and white of Sandbach United. When he was not working at the club, he was coaching here. Working with so many goalkeepers of varying ages with his enthusiasm and passion to help others. "He will be very sadly missed." As a keeper, Andy was well-known on the grassroots circuit in mid and south Cheshire.

Andy played for Goostrey, Market Tavern and Hays Chemicals in his youth. He moved on to coaching work at Macclesfield Town and with Stoke City's youth team at the time the Potters were in the Premier League. The UEFA A qualified goalkeeper coach also briefly managed Northwich Victoria when they were a Conference side. Andy's daughter Rachael Kimber said: "He was been an avid supporter of Manchester City since he was taken to his first City match as a young boy, but in the past few years, he has favoured watching and supporting Sandbach United. "

As a naturally talented goalkeeper and coach, he has taught many male, female and child goalkeepers throughout the years, many of whom expressing what an excellent teacher he was. "He was one of the most intelligent people we knew; his knowledge and interest in history and football were unmatched. "We could not have asked for a more kind and supportive husband, dad and grandad and he will be remembered and missed always. "He was the best dad in the world and my hero." As the news broke on the club's website, fans took to Twitter to express their shock and pay tribute to the goalkeeping legend. One user said: "Gentle giant, with a big heart, time to help anyone, always with a cheeky smile. Will be missed by so many, our thoughts are with Janice and family."

Andy was heavily involved at the club and would spend most of the week at the club as a volunteer to helping anyone who asked. Andy was a very special guy with such an immense sense of pride passion and of course a wicked humour, he has been a huge part of our journey as a 1st team into semi professional football and we could not thank him enough for his support. Andy will always be a part of our club even now he has gone he will never be forgotten and that is why I have created this page to raise funds so that we can have at the club something permanent in Andy's name in honour of his time with us. The more we can raise the better with the decision about how it is utilised resting with the club and his wife Janice."

Rest in peace big man, we all miss you.

Mike Senior - Sandbach United