Hard work helped Gillingham to the League 2 title but manager Martin Allen insists burning out won’t be an issue.

Allen and his management team endured a hectic 10 months as they led the club to their first Football League title in 49 years, but the Gills boss insists he has learned lessons from the past.

He said: “To be the manager of (a title winning side) has been amazing. I sleep well and I am much healthier, definitely. I didn’t want the season to finish and I could have kept going.

“In my past I have been exhausted and I have been shattered. I had no energy. I quit at Brentford because I was exhausted, absolutely shattered, and I don’t want that to happen to me again and so I have to look at all those types of things.

“I do work long hours but I have got help and support to make sure I am okay, which is why I go running and cycling, and try and look after myself better.”

Allen was often seen around the ground during the season, out running, or on his bike. And while looking after his body, he is still a keen learner – picking up as much advice and as many tips as he can.

“I am proud of the work we have done but it’s not through luck,” said the Gills boss.

“There has been a lot of further education, further learning, and the hard work I have put in over the past few years, I would say, has paid off. I feel much clearer. I always knew that there would be something special coming, I always knew. It was a matter of time.