Clifford Grossmark

Clifford Sydney Grossmark, MB, BS, MRCS, LRCP (27 December 1914 – 12 November 1983) was an English doctor and association football administrator, best known for his 22-year spell as chairman of Kent-based club Gillingham F.C.

Medical career Grossmark was born in the East End of London in 1914, but relocated with his family to Hendon at an early age. As a youth he was a keen footballer and a supporter of Queens Park Rangers. He studied at St Bartholomew's Hospital in the city, qualifying as a surgeon in 1938.

Football career Soon after the war, Grossmark became a season-ticket holder at Priestfield Stadium, home of Gillingham F.C., then playing in the Southern League. making him at the time the longest-serving chairman in English football. He was widely known in football circles simply as "The Doctor".

Death Grossmark suffered a heart attack while travelling to watch Gillingham play an away game against Walsall on 12 November 1983, and died before he could be taken to hospital. At his funeral service, the eulogy was given by television football commentator Brian Moore, a fellow Gillingham director. Grossmark was survived by his son, Michael Frank, also a doctor.