TRIBUTES have been paid to former Weymouth manager Stan Charlton, who has sadly passed away, aged 83.

The former Arsenal and Leyton Orient defender was in charge of Weymouth for seven seasons and led the club to the Southern Premier League title and the Southern League Cup final.

He was born in Exeter on June 28, 1929, and turned professional at Orient in 1952 after previously playing as an amateur for Bromley.

Charlton was appointed Terras’ player-manager in July 1965 after making 110 appearances for the Gunners and playing 366 times for the O’s.

He had also represented England and Great Britain at amateur level and appeared at the Helsinki Olympic Games.

His playing career was ended by a cartilage injury after only 18 appearances for the Terras, but the board decided to keep him on as manager as well as asking him to act as groundsman.

Charlton also took up secretarial duties for the club in later years.

He led the Terras to the Southern Premier League crown in 1965-66, a year after Frank O’Farrell had helped the club win the title for the first time.

Charlton’s contract was terminated in May 1972.

Current Terras’ chairman Nigel Biddlecombe said: “I am saddened to hear that Stan has passed away – he has not been well for a while, but this is still something of a shock.

“Stan was a terrific player, manager and administrator over his many years in football. He served Orient, Arsenal and the Terras well, over many years.

“He was well respected throughout the football world, but – maybe more importantly – he was a real nice guy.

“Personally he became a great friend to me and my family.”