VIC AKERS’ SHORTS

"I made him kitman because I thought it was important to be surrounded by people who have really their heart in red and white."

Arsene Wenger on Vic Akers in 2015

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Come rain or shine, during 21 years as Arsenal kitman, Vic Akers always wore shorts on matchdays.

It went under the radar at first but by the time he left the club in 2018, he clearly felt it was his responsibility to flash his calves for the fans.

“Changing rooms are quite warm so I’ve always had shorts on, regardless of how cold it is outside," he explained.

"It’s just one of those things that I’ve always done and now I don’t want to disappoint our fans.”

Akers joined the Gunners in 1985 and originally headed up the community department before taking over kit duties shortly after Wenger's arrival.

He was also the founder of Arsenal Ladies who he managed to 35 major trophies between 1993 to 2009, including the Uefa Women's Cup. A quite astonishing achievement.

As if he wasn't busy enough, Vic also acted as Dennis Bergkamp's chauffeur on those occasions when the Dutchman needed a lift to away games because of his fear of flying.

The two struck up a very close friendship, so much so that Dennis couldn’t resist sharing the following cracking anecdote about Vic when he wrote his biography 'Stillness and Speed'.

Again, Vic's shorts come to the fore…