By Luke Cawdell

This is my kind of club and these are my kind of people, insists new Gillingham signing Matt Lawrence.

The experienced defender snubbed offers from a number of League 1 clubs to join the Gills and he now believes he’s in good company.

Lawrence (pictured) had originally been hoping to be offered a new deal by former club Crystal Palace but when that didn’t materialise he opted to link up with some familiar faces from the past.

The 36-year-old said: "I was almost hedging my bets, waiting for a Championship club to come in for me.

"I had a few offers in League 1 but nothing was particularly attractive. I know all the guys at Gillingham, the gaffer (Andy Hessenthaler), Ian Hendon and Nicky Southall from playing against them.

"I always remember good battles against Gillingham while playing for Fulham and Millwall. They are the type of players I am, very combative."

Hessenthaler first approached Lawrence in mid-May but finally sealed a deal for the versatile defender towards the end of last week. A one-year contract was signed, with the carrot of a second year on offer dependent on appearances.

Lawrence has arrived to help give guidance to the defence and he’s happy to assist, although he admits it’s new territory for him.

He said: "I am not sure I’m a natural talker, or whether I will go on and coach but the gaffer definitely brought me in for that reason."

Lawrence lasted the full 90 minutes on Saturday against Hereford and it was his first game since the end of last season.

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