Steve Lovell believes their new under-18 coach is the perfect fit.

Ben White took charge of the Gills youth team for the first time on Saturday but is no stranger to the current management team.

“I have known Ben for loads of years, since he was a boy,” said first team boss Steve Lovell.

“He played in the same side as my (son) Mark when he was here, they were pros together and I played with Ben’s dad Dean at Millwall.

“He is a good lad, a good coach and he has fitted in lovely. He is the perfect man to come in and take the boys on.

“It is a happy camp here.”

White’s arrival means Mark Patterson, who had been taking on a dual role as under-18 boss and assistant to Lovell, can now focus more on first team duties.

“The only downside is that I have to spend more time with Patto!” Lovell joked.

Patterson recalled his days as White’s former team-mate.

“I used to pick him up and bring him in,” said the Gills coach.

“He used to get the train from Hastings to Ashford, myself and Mark Saunders used to bring him in. He would fall asleep the minute we left Ashford."

White's playing career, after being released by the Gills, included a number of Kent teams before getting into coaching, at Wimbledon and Peterborough.

"We have seen a lot of him over the years," Patterson said. "He has always been in touch and we have known him for a while.

“It was vital we got it sorted out, plus it’s another member of staff who is good to have around, who knows the game and has been here as a player. He knows how we work as a club.”