Justin Edinburgh has spoken of his appreciation of those Gillingham fans who will be putting in the miles this season.

Gills fans will total up close to 9,000 miles supporting their team in League 1 next season.

It’s an equivalent distance from London to Darwin, Australia.

Midweek games at Bradford, Fleetwood and Rochdale have made the fixture list this season less appealing than in other seasons and tough on Gills fans.

But Edinburgh had empathy for the Gills travelling faithful.

“It is a phenomenal task,” said the Gills boss.

“I am really astounded and can only say how good they are and what their dedication means. It is quite astounding the mileage they have to travel to watch their team, which they do.

“It is an expense as well. Credit to them though, because they do it in numbers and in noise. They really are a fantastic group.

“Everyone will look at their own fixtures and think, well that could have been kinder, but if you look over the whole list then it is good. We start and finish at home, which is fantastic, the Easter and Christmas periods are good.

“I think we have a few away games on a Tuesday night. It is not ideal and we can deal with it as a club but it is tough on the fans.

“If we look at our first six games, four are away from home, and three of those are outstandingly long trips. We as staff and players have to deal with it but the fans are going to be getting some serious miles in.

“Knowing our fans, and how they travelled last year, they will do it in number and they will be fantastic, they always are. It is no ideal but it has to be overcome.”

The Gills start their season on August 8 with a tough home game against Sheffield United, who reached last season’s League 1 play-offs.

“I am really excited by it,” said Edinburgh.

“I expect them to be one of the favourites for the title, let alone promotion, with Nigel in charge there. I have a lot of respect there and his teams are well organised.

“He has had real good success wherever he has been and I think it is a great first game for us.

“Our last three games here produced some real good performances and results. We are certainly looking to continue that and start the season with a real good crowd.

“The atmosphere we had on the last game of the season was phenomenal and that is what we will be looking to kick off from the start.”