COGGESHALL Town’s owner-manager Graeme Smith has received more than 60 get well messages from the footballing community in Essex, writes JON LONGMAN.

Smith was admitted to hospital after collapsing at home last week.

Smith was described as being a “stable” condition by his co-owner and TV star Ollie Murs.

Murs said: “Regrettably, we are able to confirm the news that Graeme Smith was taken to hospital on Friday after collapsing at home.

“Graeme is stable, however, the forthcoming weeks are critical in his recovery.

“So we ask you to respect his family at this difficult time.

“Coggeshall’s players, staff and fans all send him our get well wishes.”

Braintree manager Ryan Maxwell led the flurry of goodwill messages to the popular manager, saying “Best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

The Essex FA sent a message with Mark Wallis saying “All the best get well soon” and referee James Beal adding: “Wishing Graeme all the best and hope for a speedy and quick recovery – keep fighting.”

And Iain Finch of the Colchester-based Boots2Africa charity added: “Best wishes for a speedy recovery from all of us at Boots2Africa.”

And there was a message from Isthmian North neighbours Heybridge Swifts. Fellow chairman Gary White: “Sorry to hear the news. Best wishes Graeme. Everyone at Heybridge Swifts wishes you a speedy recovery.”

And there are messages too from far-flung places such as Wroxham FC, on the Norfolk Broads, Dereham Town, Soham Town Rangers and Felixstowe & Walton United.

Smith had been working with Coggeshall Town’s historian Peter Smith during the lockdown as Peter pieces together the Seedgrowers story back to the club’s formation in 1878.

Peter is appealing for people to get in touch with him if they have information from any era of the Seedgrowers saga.

+ Peter can be contacted at peter@coggeshalltownfc.co.uk