A major personal blow in the middle of the season was one that Josh Wright used to his advantage.

Shortly after manager Justin Edinburgh was fired, new boss Ady Pennock took the captain’s armband away from the 27-year-old. Both events hurt.

He said: “It was tough. Justin and Kers (assistant David Kerslake) brought me to the club.

"It was a sad day for me (when Justin was sacked) and for others. We had a good relationship.

“I enjoyed my football and I think a lot of people enjoyed it. Of course you get players that don’t play and some who don’t like certain managers and different things but I did, there is no hiding it.

“He made me captain and I believe I am a leader. I don’t think anyone in the changing room would argue with that. Everyone was happy with it and enjoying it.

“He (Justin) went and it took a bit of time to get over, to get my head round it. The new gaffer came in, Ady, with his coaching staff and I got my head down straight away, simple as that. It happens in football when team-mates or a manager leaves.

“You have to work hard, train hard and that’s exactly what I did. I was told I remained club captain but the captain’s armband was taken off me and that hurt me deeply. I am not denying it because I am a passionate guy.

“It was tough to take when I got told but if I take a knock, or a setback, I want to do something even better and prove people wrong.

“Jamie Day (the current first team coach) could see I was down but he said ‘prove that you should be captain’ and I have done that. I have led by example and nothing has changed off the pitch.

“I still speak in the team huddle before the game. It is my voice, I am still trying to lead on the pitch with my performances, the way I conduct myself, the way I have tried to drive the team forward.

“I am exactly the same. People still come to me for opinions and to sort stuff out. If anything, it just gave me a bit more bite and grit to do everything better. I didn’t let it affect me too much.

“A lot of people have said it has helped me and whether it has or not, I don’t know but I am just happy to get on playing football games.”

Wright has taken his goal tally to 14 this season, attracting attention from elsewhere, including Championship side Nottingham Forest.

That interest is likely to heighten when the season ends but the midfielder remains keen to give his all for the Gills.

He said: “What came out before (about the Forest interest) came out and there has been a lot more interest since then.

“I have got another year left at Gillingham and that is where I see myself reporting back to in pre-season at the moment but doing well attracts interest. I can only take that as a positive and be proud of that.

“I am contracted at Gillingham, that is where I see myself and am happy for it to remain that way.”