Gillingham boss Martin Allen has revealed that assistant manager John Schofield was almost prised away from the club just days after joining.

Schofield had been the subject of an approach from a club in the Championship.

The 47-year-old had joined the Gills at the start of the month along with Allen, as the pair linked up for the second time in their career, having worked together at both Cheltenham and Notts County.

Allen was delighted to be able to keep a key figure of his back-room department onboard.

The Gills boss said: "John Schofield has a UEFA pro license and he is absolutely top drawer. Ten days ago he was nearly on his way to a Championship club but the chairman managed to persuade him to stay."

Barnsley-born Schofield had a long playing career, taking in clubs such as Lincoln - where he also managed during the 2006/07 season - Doncaster and Mansfield. He has also had caretaker manager roles at Walsall and Cheltenham.