An emotional Tom Eaves dedicated his weekend double to his nan.

The 22-goal striker was feeling the love from the travelling fans at Blackpool but he had plenty of relatives there too.

Twelve of his family members were in the crowd to watch as he took his goal tally in League 1 to 21 for the campaign.

“I am over the moon,” said Eaves, who hit Gills’ second and third goals against Blackpool.

“It’s no secret that it has been a bit of a strange period for everyone and for me, I didn’t want to go out with a whimper.

“I had my family in the crowd, 12 of them, my nan Diane was in there and those two goals were for her. I could see her celebrating.

“It’s very rare that she gets to see me, the last time was Yeovil against Everton and we were beaten 4-0. It was nice to score and for her to see it.”

Eaves was back in the starting XI on Saturday having started the previous two games from the bench.

A lack of form was the reason, according to the management, but he showed his quality on Saturday, particularly in the first half.

“It’s been a bit of a quiet time for me personally,” said Eaves. “Patto (caretaker boss Mark Patterson) told me I had an opportunity with a start. I felt like I owed it to myself and the fans. With the last game of the season, I just wanted to turn up and I felt we all did it collectively.”

Eaves’ first goal was bent in from the edge of the box with his left foot and he converted Bradley Garmston’s cross with his right before the break.

He said: “It just opened up nicely for me, Max (Ehmer) took the other defender away and I just picked my spot with the first one. The second goal Bradley has put in a great ball and (it was) on a plate really.”

Eaves was replaced late on, to a vociferous reception from the 500 travelling fans, who sang his name throughout.

His contract is up this summer and he left the field to a chorus of ‘we want you to stay’.

“I was getting a bit emotional out there,” the striker admitted. “Without getting all lovey-dovey, I could feel the love and I have done for the past two seasons.

“I know there is a lot of ambiguity at the moment, with the contract situation, and that will take care of itself. Regardless, whatever happens, I have felt the love off the fans and the club and time will tell with that one.”