Bristol Rovers have issued an apology for wrongly announcing that their long-term kit man had passed away.

The League Two outfit claimed on their official website that Roger Harding, who is battling an illness, had died, prompting angry online messages from fans.

"Although Roger is very ill, he is still bravely fighting for his life," the BBC quotes a spokesman as saying.

"Roger is a very important part of Bristol Rovers and our thoughts are with his family and friends as he continues his battle. We apologise again for any hurt our previous statement has caused."

Harding has been working as a kit man for the club for over 10 years.