By Andrew Gidley

Stuart Nelson says Gillingham was his first choice club once he knew that Martin Allen was interested in bringing him to Priestfield.

The pair are re-united for a third time, the 30-year-old keeper having played under the Gills boss at Notts County last season, and before that at Brentford.

Nelson (pictured), one of 12 players released by Keith Curle – Allen’s successor at County – said: "I had other offers through the summer, but none were right and I had to turn them down. It’s a tough time, you always question yourself whether you should have done that.

"I had three on the table, before Gillingham, but it was a no-brainer in the end. My wife is from Essex, so the location is great. I know the club have been higher, the ground and the fan base are set up well, and I want to progress, be a better goalkeeper, not anywhere else, but here, and help them get back to the league above.

"I believe 100 per cent I have made the right decision. It was a touchy time, because you are running out of money, your contract has finished, there is no pay after July 31, but good things come to those who wait."

On Allen, Nelson said: "He is a good man-manager, gets the best out of his players, and his teams that I have been in have always done pretty good."

Picture: Barry Goodwin