Gillingham’s pre-season schedule continues to take shape after two more games were announced on Friday.

The Gills will visit National League side Southend United in a friendly on Saturday, July 27.

The game at Roots Hall will kick-off at the earlier time of 1pm.

Southend are managed by former Gills midfielder Kevin Maher, who has previously been linked as a candidate for the Gills job.

Maher guided Southend to ninth place in the National League last season despite having 10 points deducted in August 2023 due to a HMRC debt.

The Southend trip comes a week after Gillingham’s home friendly with Watford, the Championship side visiting Priestfield on Saturday, July 20.

Watford, who are under the charge of new head coach Tom Cleverley, finished 15th this season.

The club has also confirmed a friendly match at Dartford - managed by former Gills boss Ady Pennock - on Tuesday, July 23.

A fourth friendly was announced by the Gills on Friday afternoon with a trip to National League Woking (3pm) on Saturday, August 3 - one week before the start of the League 2 campaign on August 10.

Gillingham XI teams are also due to visit Chatham (July 19), Lordswood (July 23) and Sheppey (July 26) in pre-season friendly games.