Marlow Football Club has confirmed that one of their former coaches has recently died.

Laurie Craker, who joint-managed the club alongside Dave Russell from 1990 to 1993, died on May 16 at the age of 67 of cancer.

The popular character was part of a successful Marlow team which saw the Blues reach the first round proper of the FA Cup on two occasions during his time at the club, and he also helped the side defeat Wycombe Wanderers in the 1991 Berks & Bucks Senior Cup Final.

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And most notably in 1993, a few months before his departure to Slough Town, Marlow were drawn at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup third round, with Spurs winning the famous trophy two years previously.

Sadly, Marlow lost 5-1 to the North London side.

Marlow chairman Terry Staines said: “He and Dave Russell worked together extremely brilliantly when they were at Marlow and I think Laurie was a bit more of the enforcer about things – a bit more of a disciplinarian.

“It was a magical blend that they had between them.

“I heard that he hadn’t been very well a few months ago and then I was surprised when I was coming out of the supermarket, I had a tap on the shoulder and there was Laurie with his wife and he looked better from what I was lead to believe.

“Then a few months later he was gone from us and I was surprised as he looked quite good from when I saw contrary to the situation.

“He will be missed.”

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Craker, who started his career at Chelsea but didn’t make a first-team appearance for the club, played for Watford, Dartford, South African side Jewish Guild FC, Hayes, Stains, Maidenhead and Northwood in a journeyman career, before taking up coaching in the late 1980s.

One of his first jobs in management was at Chalfont St Peter in the 1986/87 season, where he guided the side to the Isthmian Division 2 South title in his second season.

His managerial career also saw him go to teams such as Flackwell Heath, Chesham United, Burnham, Walton & Hersham, Kingstonian, and Windsor & Eton.

Laurie’s son Lewis, has also enjoyed a successful career in lower league football, where he is currently the manager of Oxfordshire side Thames Rangers.

Marlow FC has sent their extended sympathies to Laurie’s family and his many friends in football.