Gillingham manager Neil Harris has thanked the fans for their support during his time in charge.

Harris took over as manager at the end of January and instantly struck up a rapport with the supporters. Results improved but not enough to save them from relegation.

• More: 'Standards will be better next season'

Fans sang Harris' name on Saturday even after relegation was all-but nailed on as the Gills struggled against promotion-chasing Rotherham. A 2-0 defeat finally ended any hope of staying up.

Harris was grateful for the support, saying: "Thank you to the fans for backing me, backing my players and sticking with my players when they've not been good enough, when they've seen them kicking the ball off the pitch, getting done for goals where you think, 'how have we been done for a goal like that? How have you not made that header? How have you not made that tackle?'.

"The fans would make the header and make the tackle, my players haven't and they still supported their players.

"Fans have been brilliant, they will be brilliant, I thank them for that on behalf of the football club and for me personally, and I just say to them, get behind us next year."

Harris has always had a soft spot for Gillingham.

He said: "I have always loved this football club since my loan here (during the 2005/06 season). I have friends who are season ticket holders and I have friends who have played here, proper good friends of mine, the likes of Andy Hessenthaler and Adam Barrett, Michael Flynn.

"I have to apologise on behalf of the football club, as the manager, that we have not hit the standards that were expected at Gillingham, that is the bottom line.

"I hope they accept my apology on behalf of the club, and stick with us for next year, which I know they will, because they do.

"Do I take it for granted? No. In the three jobs I have had in football, they have been working men's football clubs. Millwall, Cardiff and Gillingham, people work hard for their money, it is a chore to find the money to bring their kids to the football.

"We need to reciprocate that next year and that starts with me leading from the front."