Martin Allen remains the bookies' favourite to succeed Andy Hessenthaler as manager of Gillingham.

Gills chairman Paul Scally is currently conducting interviews, which are expected to be completed by the end of this month.

Allen (pictured) is known as 'Mad Dog' in football circles but Simon King - who was signed by Allen at Barnet in 2003 - feels a little bit of fear factor is no bad thing in a boss.

King, released by the Gills this week, said: "He was straight down the line with me and I liked his character.

"He definitely gets the best out of the players. He is good on team bonding, which is something a successful team needs.

"We got on the Tube in our training kit and had a session in Hyde Park, which was strange, before going for a few beers and then the theatre. It brought us together.

"If you are not doing the job, he won't be scared to let you know and there was always that bit of fear factor about him which does bring the best out of players."

Mark Robson is also in the running for the manager's job and worked with King and the Gills under the reign of Mark Stimson.

King added: "He is another favourite and although he hasn't got the experience, he was fantastic when he came to Gillingham and I enjoyed working with him. He put on some great sessions and he got us to the stage where you enjoyed coming in.

"He set high standards in training. Some managers I have worked with, some sessions can be tedious but with him it never was. He would be a good man to have around the place."

Other contenders for the job include former boss Peter Taylor and ex-Brentford manager Andy Scott.

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