The job of a Premier League kitman is never done, something Charlie Hiscock now knows only too well.
The actor plays Will Kitman, the kit manager for fictional Premier League club AFC Richmond in the hit Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso.
West Ham United play a starring role in the newest season of the comedy-drama, which will see Jason Sudeikis’s lead character Lasso go head-to-head with a Hammers side managed by his former assistant Nate Shelley, played by Nick Mohammed.
In order to fully grasp the roles and responsibilities of a kit manager in the Premier League, Hiscock visited the West Ham United Training Ground at Rush Green and spent some time working with the Club’s head kit man James Saban.
Hiscock was tasked with cleaning boots, printing shirts, and other essential kit-related tasks around the facility.
“It’s been great to get an understanding of life as a real Premier League kit man and why it is said that they are one of the hardest workers at a club,” Hiscock told whufc.com.
“The lessons I’ve learned have been immensely valuable for Will Kitman. It has helped me navigate both the boot room and the changing room. I now know what I need to be doing in every moment, which is invaluable.
“James was great. He knows the ropes and it’s all second nature to him now. For a person like me, who is imitating the art of being a kitman, it was insightful to see how the job is properly done.”
While conducting his duties, Hiscock had the chance to meet players including Łukasz Fabiański and Pablo Fornals – both self-professed super fans of the show.
Chatting to the array of West Ham players gave the Will Kitman-actor an even greater understanding of the importance of the role to the squad.
He continued: “Meeting Łukasz, Pablo and some of the other lads was great. They also emphasised to me how important the kitmen are behind the scenes.
“It’s emphasised in the show just how important kitmen are to their team and, being at West Ham today, I’ve seen that they are truly some of the hardest working people in the game.”
Since the launch of series three, despite the on-screen rivalry between AFC Richmond and West Ham, Hiscock has received messages of love and support from the Claret and Blue Army and is thrilled to see the series has been received so positively from supporters.
“West Ham is a big, warm family, and West Ham fans have been very welcoming for me and the entire Ted Lasso production,” he added.
“It’s wonderful to see that sense of community on social media and it’s been fantastic to be welcomed into the West Ham family.”
