Gillingham owner Shannon Galinson thanks club legend George Penfield for over 60 years of service to the club

Gillingham have paid tribute to George Penfield, who has stepped back from club duties at the age of 82!

George led the teams out on Saturday when Gillingham hosted Luton in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

He’s performed various roles at Priestfield for over 60 years - from selling lottery tickets to serving tea, accepting food and drinks deliveries, being a steward and working in the old social club. More recently, George has been helping out in the kit room.

Gillingham owner Shannon Galinson said: “George is the living embodiment of what this football club is about. It is a part of his extended family, he has devoted so many hours, and a lot of them unpaid, for so long and I speak on behalf of everybody when I say how grateful we are for his tireless efforts.

“He loves the club, he loves the people, and we love him.

“The word legend is often overused in today’s society but George IS a Gillingham legend, he is always welcome here and I, on behalf of everybody at Priestfield, say thank you George!”