Gills legend Ernie Morgan, who holds the record for the number of goals scored in a season, has died aged 86.

The popular striker enjoyed a successful career at Priestfield between 1953 and 1957 after signing from Lincoln City.

He scored 21 goals in his debut season and then topped this by scoring 31 in the 1954-55 season - a club record.

This record was only equalled by Brian Yeo during the 1970s, but Mr Morgan remains the joint holder of the record to this day.

Mr Morgan, who lived in Rainham, died yesterday. Gillingham FC has today paid tribute to "a true Gills great".

A spokesman for the club said: "In his four seasons with the Gills, Ernie Morgan made an impact on the club unlikely to ever be forgotten by those who saw him grace the Priestfield pitch.

"The thoughts of everyone at Gillingham FC are with Ernie's family and friends at this sad time."

Born in Royston, South Yorkshire, Mr Morgan worked as a coal miner from the age of 14 but made a big impression playing for the Royston Colliery Football team who he helped win the Sheffield Senior Cup in 1948/49.

Mr Morgan's performances for the colliery side earned him professional recognition, but he surprisingly turned down the opportunity of contracts with Barnsley and West Brom to sign a part-time deal with Lincoln City.

He spent three seasons at Sincil Bank, largely as a reserve team player and had only made three League appearances when Gillingham came calling in 1953.

Speaking about his Gills record in 2009, Mr Morgan said: "I don't think anybody will ever beat that; it would have been a lot more if I'd have played with the balls that they play with today.

"You couldn't side-foot a ball from 30 yards in them days, you were lucky to land a penalty if it was heavy, never mind bloody scoring from that distance!

"It's a lot easier to play football with the balls that they play with, the balls we had were like bloody cannon balls; it's a doddle for them.

"That's one regret of mine, not being able to play with the balls that they have today, that's the one thing I'd have loved to have done - I'd have got 50 a season."

His playing days came to an end in 1957 when a ligament injury forced him hang up his boots at the age of 30, leaving Priestfield a record of 73 goals from just 155 appearances.

He later moved into management, enjoying great success with Chatham Town, Dartford, Maidstone United and Tonbridge Angels, winning the Southern League, the Kent Senior Cup, Floodlight Cup and Shield.

A minute's applause will be held before Gills' home match on Saturday.

Leave your tributes to Ernie Morgan below.

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