Kitman Malcolm Stedman has been labelled a hero by Gillingham boss Steve Evans.

Stedman has been around the club for years but has offloaded some of his responsibilities during away games.

He remains a big figure inside the club, however, and managed to find the manager a pair of gloves that have proved to be a lucky omen.

The Gills haven’t lost at home since Evans first donned the eye-catching blue and white GFC gloves.

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Evans, speaking to the club’s media team, said: “Malcolm must be 172, he is an absolutely fantastic character, he has seen all the managers come and go, he will see me come and go but he works so hard.

“Every morning you walk in and he brings you a coffee, he is there from four or five in the morning.

“People sometimes don’t see the heroes in football but the gloves are down to the hero Malcolm!”

Evans had previously joked that he would likely be seeing an invoice from the chairman for the gloves which were taking from the shelves in the club shop. Sales have increased since the manager has made use of them.

Gills’ kit manager Stedman regularly made the news during his time working under former boss Martin Allen, often asking to take team-talks and he once even took over post-match press duties.

He might have been so visible under other managers but still does many hours helping out with the kits.

Gillingham have lost just one of their last 10 games, that been a harsh defeat at AFC Wimbledon, and they have won the last seven games at home, conceding just once in that run at Priestfield.