Simon Royce has revealed he snubbed a move to the Championship in favour of another season playing under the management of Mark Stimson at Gillingham.

The veteran goalkeeper, who signed a new one-year deal last week, admitted he may have left the Gills if it wasn’t for Stimson.

“I’m pleased to sign and I’ve signed for Mark Stimson really,” said Royce. “If it was anyone else I might not have signed, and I could have gone somewhere else.

“He’s staying and I get on really well with him so that’s the main reason I signed.

“The other reason is the fans. I want to thank them for everything they’ve done for me and the way they’ve really made me feel welcome at the club.

“I would have gone somewhere else and I would have had no problem getting another club. I spoke to a Championship club and was waiting to see what they were doing – there would have been something else too.

“I like playing for him (Stimson) and I’ve been playing regularly.

“I didn’t fancy travelling up and down the country, sitting on the bench and playing reserve team football at my age. When you get to 36 you want to be playing regular football and you can’t beat it.

“I feel next year we have the chance to win promotion and the club is only 45 minutes down the road for me.”