Gillingham legend Ron Hillyard has returned to the club on a part-time basis to coach the club’s goalkeepers.

Hillyard, who made a record 655 appearances for the Gills over a 17 year period between 1974 and 1991, will split his time between the Gills and Ebbsfleet United.

The 59-year-old has been coaching the goalkeepers at Fleet for several seasons and will continue working evenings and on matchdays for the Blue Square Bet Premier side.

He will spend two days a week assisting the Gills and passing on his knowledge to senior keepers Ross Flitney, Paulo Gazzaniga and Daren Hawkes as well as scholars Ashley Bourne and Daniel O’Neil.

Last season Stuart Murdoch spent time with the Gills on a temporary basis to help with the goalkeeper coaching.

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler is delighted to have acquired a coach with considerable experience. He started working with the Gillingham goalkeepers on Thursday.

Hessenthaler said: “We are delighted to have him on board. It’s very important for me, as a manager, that we are able to bring in specific goalkeeping for the goalkeepers.

“He’s got so much experience and the players are going to learn a lot from him which can only make them stronger.”