Andy Barcham (right) will be hoping to have more reasons to celebrate in the future with Gillingham

by Luke Cawdell

Andy Barcham believes he and Gillingham are the perfect match.

The 22-year-old signed a two-year deal on Wednesday and linked up with the rest of the squad as they started pre-season training on Thursday.

"I’m really happy to be at Gillingham," said last season’s player-of-the-year runner-up.

"As soon as I arrived at the club I settled in quickly and was playing some good football.

"The gaffer is able to get the best out of me and when you find the right fit, you don’t want to leave.

"I get on well with the lads and the coaching staff and the fans have been great. Football-wise, we like to attack and that suits my style as I’m a player who likes to get at the opposition defence."

Barcham initially joined the Gills on loan from Tottenham at the start of last season before signing a short-term deal in January. He’ll now be with the Gills until the summer of 2011 and despite dropping down from the Premier League, doesn’t see it as a step backwards.

"It’s all well and good being at a big club and having been there from an early age it was hard to say goodbye but I needed games."