Teenage midfielder Jack Payne is the first winner of the KM Group’s player-of-the-month award this season.

Payne (pictured) claimed nearly half of the votes for August from visitors to Kent Online.

The 17-year-old starred in Gillingham’s first four league games, winning plenty of plaudits for his range of passing and ability to keep the ball under pressure.

Payne (48%) beat off competition from Simeon Jackson (22%) and Andy Barcham (9%) to win the prize.

He will be presented with his trophy before Saturday’s home game against
Millwall.