Gillingham have appointed Tony Burns as their new first-team goalkeeper coach.

The 70-year-old former Arsenal keeper will be working alongside the club’s other current goalkeeper coaches.

He joins on a part-time non-contract basis and replaces Carl Muggleton, who left at the end of last season.

Edenbridge-born Burns spent many years as coach at Millwall and managed Kent sides Tonbridge Angels and Gravesend & Northfleet.

He began his playing career as a youngster with the Angels before being signed by Arsenal in 1963.

Burns went onto make 31 appearances for the Gunners, making his top-flight debut in a 3-2 win against Burnley is October 1964. He left the club in 1966.

He went onto play for Brighton, Charlton, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Plymouth. Burns also spent time playing in South Africa and in the North American Soccer League with Memphis Rogues.

His list of clubs also included then-Southern League sides Dartford and Hastings United.

A trio of spells as manager at Tonbridge followed, as did a seven year stint as Gravesend boss. In 2006 he was appointed joint caretaker boss at Millwall, for two games, alongside Alan McLeary.

His most recent goalkeeping coach roles came at Crystal Palace and Milwall. He spent a total of 19 years as part of Millwall’s backroom team.

Burns’ arrival is likely to be the final one in manager Peter Taylor’s coaching department. The two have worked together before at Stevenage.

Gills’ first choice keeper Stuart Nelson will this season be challenged for his no.1 spot by new signing Glenn Morris.