Four players ended last season being offered a new contract to stay at MEMS Priestfield and so far, three have re-signed for Gareth Ainsworth and will wear Gillingham blue next season. 

The Gills boss has been talking about the three to KSN and updated us on other player news at the Club.  

We started with Bradley Dack and the Gills boss told us, “I know that Bradley is pleased to be here – this Club means so much to him, but on the flip side, I am really pleased,” Ainsworth admitted before adding, “He’s a player with quality above this level.”

“There have been question marks obviously about how much is he going to play and how his legs are after his injuries, but when you see the glimpses that I saw in my six weeks here at the end of last season, I would be stupid not to try and re-sign Bradley Dack.”

“I think that that is fantastic as we do have budget constraints as there is no way that the Club can pay and spend as it was previously.”

“Bradley has gone that it’s not about that anymore – it’s almost as if he wants to prove that he can still do it, but also giving back to the Club that started the fantastic career that he has had.”

“It’s great and he is definitely in a mentally good place, and I expect him to be one of our leaders this season. We have spoken at great length on the phone – we have had some great Zoom calls – he is a flamboyant winner, magic man sometimes!”

“To have gone through what he has gone through in his career – so close to everything and then injuries which takes so much away before the comeback was a special moment for him and we’re really pleased.” 

“The opposition will fear the name Bradley Dack when it’s on the team sheet, there’s no doubt about that – it will give us a different dynamic.”

“We are really happy to have him, but he knows as much as anyone that he will have to fight for his place and be playing really well to get into this team because we will have a very strong squad this season in my belief and we will improve on everything that happened last year.” 

The conversation then turned to Max Clark and Ainsworth told us, “He knows his way out of the division. Left backs are very hard to come by and he is a very good left-back.”

“His delivery going forward was magnificent – everyone talks about Max Clark and defending and he is a sensational defender.”

“He didn’t get “done” hardly ever since I have come into the building – he is very solid and a great penalty taker as well as he showed in the first two games of mine as he showed the confidence as he stepped up!”

“He is another who is a really, really good character, he fits in really well with the boys, has promotion on his CV and is a great example to us all and he’s got a great left foot which is something special!” 

“Max has a young family and there are different factors for players to consider rather than just wanting to play football and so again the commitment that he has shown to the Club is sensational. We really wanted him to be part of what we want to put in place next year!” 

The third signing is Euan Williams and Ainsworth admitted, “He gives a real intelligence between the midfield and attack. Little unseen things that people don’t see are tremendous – if I am honest, he hasn’t shown the best by a long shot of what he can do, but he’s had a couple of injuries since he signed.”

“Everyone tells me that Euan is a special talent and can have some potential in this place, so it was a no-brainer to get someone who wants to be in so much – he’s local, he wants to learn from the likes of Bradley Dack and I think that Euan could be definitely one that people are very surprised by this season; I hope so as he is a cracking lad as well – being called up for your country at such a young age as well, you don’t get that for no reason!” 

That leaves only Conor Masterson of those offered new contracts not to sign yet on the dotted line and the manager told us, “Out of respect for both Conor and myself, all I can say is that we are still in negotiations.”

“We are still only a month after the last game, so it’s still very early and we are a long way off the start of the new season and I can understand players being patient at this time of year, but Conor is definitely a player who I would want to work with again!” 

“I want people to look at the last nine games of last season and think that it was just the start and that we can move onto things!”

“I keep saying to people that it will turn at some stage and we will lose a few here and there as teams work you out as they get strong, but hopefully that will find its way into some people’s minds and they want to buy into that and have a go at what myself and Dobbo (assistant boss Richard Dobson) can bring to Gillingham and with the fantastic staff that we inherited we really, really want to push the Club forward to where it could be and for starters that will be better than last season!”