Simon Royce (fourth from the left) helps model the new Gills kits on Thursday after signing a one-year contract with the club

by Matthew Panting

Keeper Simon Royce insisted there was never any doubt about him carrying on playing.

Royce penned a one-year deal to stay at Gillingham on Thursday before starting pre-season training with his team-mates.

"Whether it was going to be at Gillingham was the bone of contention," said the 37-year-old. "I made it clear that I wanted to carry on but I wasn't sure whether it was going to be at Gillingham.

"I was offered a contract three days after the play-off final. It was a take it or leave it offer.

"I had to make a decision. If I turned it down then I could have gone two or three weeks without a club - or not even got one at all.

"I know Steve Lomas left Gillingham last year and couldn't get a club when he wanted to play for another year, so I had to consider any offer seriously."