Eric Hawkins literally took the law into his own hands after a fight broke out on his first visit to watch the Gills when he was a young lad.

It was back in the 1960s and Eric, now aged 87, became incensed when rival gangs on the terraces spoiled his enjoyment of the game.

Not long after, the club secretary at the time invited him to be the club’s first steward as a result of mounting anti-social behaviour at the Priestfield ground.

And that signalled the chance for Eric, of Ajax Road, Rochester, who himself was threatened with a knife and hit over the head with a bottle, to sort out the troublemakers.

It was a role that changed his life.

Eric, who is married to Sheila who also helped out at the club, said: “There were two rival gangs, one from the Isle of Sheppey and one from Gillingham.

“I found out who the ringleaders were and took them to court.

“One of them went to prison for six months and the other was placed on probation for three years.”

Gradually the trouble subsided and Eric took on two more people to keep the fans in check.

Eric first took on the role several years after his first trip to see the Gills when he was 16 and was paid £1 a match.

He said: “That wasn’t bad money in those days and I generally spent the money on tea and biscuits for the referee.”

While he retired as head steward nearly 25 years ago, Eric continues to work for the club in an advisory capacity and helps out with administration.

Over the years he has seen players, managers and chairmen come and go and has got on with most of them.

His favourite was chairman Dr Clifford Grossmark, who was at the helm between 1961 and 1983.

He would meet him at the ground every Sunday morning and they would have a drink in the boardroom.

In all the years of stewarding with his eye fixed firmly on the ground, Eric never got to see a whole game but has seen many changes.

He said: “I usually managed a bit of the second half.

“I remember the boardroom was a wooden shed and the stands were rickety.”

After decades of commitment turning up for matches in all weather, Eric’s loyalty has been rewarded.

At the Player of the Year ceremony this month, current chairman Paul Scally presented him with the Elliott Scally special achievement award.

It now sits proudly on his mantelpiece, a reminder of all those days given to the club he loves.

He said: “I would like to think I have helped to make Priestfield a safer place for supporters and their families.”

Many would agree, including Mr Scally who paid tribute to the lifelong supporter.

He said: “Eric has been part of the Gillingham family for over 55 years and we owe him a tremendous amount of gratitude for the work he has put in during that time.

“Even at the tender of age of 87 he still attends every fixture at Priestfield as a match day host and he approaches his duties as passionately as he did as a steward.

“It is people like Eric that make this club so special and he thoroughly deserved to win the Elliott Scally Cup for Special Achievement.”