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Gillingham manager Steve Evans will bring in a full-time goalkeeper coach

A full-time goalkeeper coach is set to be appointed by the Gills.

Manager Steve Evans believes it's a vital part of his backroom team.

Evans has already brought in former Brentford keeper Jack Bonham, to work alongside youngster Joe Walsh, but aims to add another stopper before the start of the season.

Gillingham manager Steve Evans Picture: Ady Kerry (12483459)
Gillingham manager Steve Evans Picture: Ady Kerry (12483459)

Evans said he is in the process of bringing in a new coach for the goalies and explained why.

He said: "Someone asked me what a goalkeeper coach does and I said they make your goalkeepers better and they work with your defenders, not just the keepers.

"People will ask, 'what do they do all day, they only have one or two keepers?' but it is about working with them and it is a key position of your coaching staff. It is a specialist area."

Bonham is likely to be the club's number one keeper, having impressed on loan at Bristol Rovers last season in League 1, keeping 15 clean sheets for a struggling team.

Parent club Brentford were keen to keep him as a back-up to their own no.1 but Bonham wants some action.

Evans said "The kid wanted to play and so he went out to Bristol Rovers, it's a big reason why they stayed up. I knew how keen there were to sign him.

"Apart from in my eyes and Paul Raynor's eyes, the final reference was to speak to the two sporting directors at Brentford and they said if Jack wanted to stay and compete and showed that desire they would have been trying to keep him but he said he wanted to go somewhere, be settled and be the number one. We are pleased we got him."

Evans is chasing another keeper, saying: "Whether we are going to be able to get another goalkeeper of his ilk I am not so sure but he will certainly have competition, I won't just be saying, 'Jack, whatever happens you are playing'. There will be some competition."

Walsh, who has just signed his first professional contract at Gillingham, is an England youth international and Evans is keen to have a look at him too, having heard plenty of good things.

He said: "I understand we have a 19-year-old inside the football club who is going to be top drawer, going to be exceptional.

"I was told by the players that when they had round robins on certain days and players would pick the teams, he was always second pick to Tomas Holy.

"He has also represented his country as well, it tells he is highly thought of and I know that because I speak to Keith Downing (England under-19 coach) and people like that regularly. He will certainly be around us pre-season. We will have a real good look at him."

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent

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