A header from Sam Vokes took Gillingham top of League Two last weekend and ahead of this weekend’s televised “Kent derby” at Hayes Lane against Bromley, the Welsh international striker has been talking to KSN… 

“I’m excited for the game as I’m new in a Gills shirt, to play in a local derby like this is a game to look forward to,” Vokes told us.

“We have looked at Bromley over the last week or so, we know what to prepare for. They have been going well themselves and are a strong unit who are themselves doing well this season.”

“We have to concentrate on what we are doing and what has got us the success at the start of the season already!” 

We spoke about the arrivals on deadline day – Garath McCleary, Jonny Smith and Travis Akomeah – and Vokes said: “It’s important when the window finishes that things are settled and the staff is happy and we are as a group – looks a solid group now with new faces coming into the building which has been great.”

“Travis we saw on Tuesday night, Jonny and a good friend of mine in Gareth McCleary coming in. It adds great firepower to the squad and hopefully, it can only boost what we have in the building!” 

“You saw how strong the squad we have is on Tuesday (a youthful Gillingham beat Fulham under 21s 4-1 in the EFL Trophy) – it showed the depth that we have really as to go out in a game like that and perform and get such a good win is great as that’s what the Gaffer builds things on really – getting good results – and that shows it runs through the Club with the young lads coming through.”

“We scored some good goals in there with some big moments for some of the young lads, with those getting their first goal, it was great to see!” 

A few eyebrows were raised when Gareth Ainsworth signed Vokes, but we asked why Gillingham?

“Back end of last season, I had an interesting run where I found myself on the coaching staff a little bit at Wycombe due to injury, and I didn’t quite know which direction it was going to go for me this year.”

“Then Gareth picked up the phone and I answered his call as I have done in the past at Wycombe – I know how he works, I know the work ethic, I know the kind of unity he brings to a squad and that’s what I wanted to be part of.”

“For me, football is all about working with good people and I know how him and Dobbo (assistant Alan Dobson) and the staff work! I know the unity he can bring to a group, and I have seen that in the first six weeks of being at Priestfield, so I feel like I made the right decision!”  

“I think since I joined the Club, the biggest thing that I have noticed really, is the home atmosphere that we get is brilliant and great to see – hopefully the results and things can drive that from the squad.”

“But also the away support… we have had some tough places to go and some miles to do already but they turn up in their numbers and their voices as well… as Saturday is my first derby for the Gills, I look forward to seeing and hearing them at the weekend!”