Three Gillingham youth team players have been handed professional contracts for next season.

Centre-back Connor Essam, box-to-box midfielder Dean Rance and striker Charlie Stimson (pictured) have made the grade from the current batch of second year scholars.

The decision to keep the trio on was made jointly by departing youth team manager Mark Patterson and first team boss Mark Stimson.

Essam, 17, has been with the club since joining the centre of excellence in 2002 and has captained the youth team this season.

Eighteen-year-old Rance has been at Gillingham for ten years now and has been a regular in the reserves. He is currently on work experience at Ryman League side Maidstone United.

Also at Maidstone is former Tottenham youngster Charlie Stimson, son of manager Mark, who has also been a regular in the club’s reserve side. He has previously enjoyed a loan stint at Redbridge earlier this season.

The club will be releasing the remaining six second year players. They are Conor Quinn, Ollie Bartrum, Liam Geering, Joshua Sargeant, Tom Murphy and Callum Day.

Patterson left the Gills to oversee Ashford Town’s new football academy.

Speaking of the trio that will be staying, he said: "Charlie is great with the ball to feet and very bright. Dean likes to compete and it doesn’t matter who he is against he is going to hit you hard. Connor Essam has progressed really well and is a talented centre half.

"The down side is the players you have to let go. That’s a sad day. We’re still working hard to find those players clubs."