Gillingham playmaker Jonny Williams likes what he’s seen in the new manager after working with Mark Bonner for the first time.

While Bonner appears keen to hand Williams a more central role in the team this season - which should help bring out the best in the former Wales international - it’s also his man-management that’s been a big appeal.

For Williams and the majority of the Gills squad, last week was the first time they’d worked under Bonner, as pre-season training got under way. They’ve got another week of intense work ahead before playing Millwall in their first warm-up game of the summer this Saturday at Priestfield.

“It’s been nice to be back,” said Williams. “The boys were itching to get back which is a good sign. We just need to make sure we are still itching weeks and months into the season to still kick on.

“There were a lot of excited faces, me included, which I think is a real positive sign. We are looking forward to working with a new group, fresh faces, new staff and really excited.

“I had a couple of phone calls with (Mark Bonner) over the summer, which was really nice, to touch base and (listen to) his ideas. He wished me well for my wedding. Those nice touches make a difference.

“He’s a manager who cares about you as a person and as a player. I had heard lots of good things about the manager from other players who have played under him and I enjoyed those first few days.

“He has been really great with his man management with the players, real positive. His care for the players is spot on and that’s what you want as a player.

“You want honesty and care and belief and I think he has ticked all the boxes so far and we need to do the same back with our work ethic and buy into his plans.

“We are really excited because he has achieved success in this league already and we know that and we all desperate to do it. We will be following his footsteps, listening and implementing new plans and most importantly being an exciting team to watch this year to get the crowd behind us.”

Having a manager that cares for the players’ welfare is important to Williams, who added: “It goes so far in this day, like any job, if you treat people well and you believe in them you will get the best out of them, or more chance of getting the best out of them.

“I think that’s what the best modern day managers do, they care about not just the player and what he does on the pitch but how they are off the pitch and they really buy into not just the players but staff around the place, it makes a massive difference in football.

“We are people at the end day and it is really important that he does care about us and how we are as well as not just what we do on the pitch. It is fantastic and we are delighted to have him.”

Bonner’s football knowledge has also impressed the 30-year-old who is heading into his second season at Gillingham

He said: “The amount of knowledge he has on the game and the different plans and scenarios he has for the team, his football knowledge is top and you can see why he has done so well at his age. He has a big future ahead of him as a manager and we are really delighted to have him.

“We are looking forward to working with him and the staff. I know the staff he has brought in from Charlton which is nice and they are top coaches as well. There is a real nice blend.

“As a player you want to be looking forward to coming in and training and working and playing for your manager and we are really looking forward to that.”

While official squad numbers haven’t been confirmed yet, Williams was handed the no.10 training gear by Bonner, another indication of where the manager sees his role in the team. It’s another boost for the former Crystal Palace man, whose form suffered after being asked to play out wide so often last season.

Williams said: “Being in central areas is where I think I play my best football, so I am really excited. I might still play wide at times, I know I can play there, but I enjoy my football most in central areas.

“Looking back on my career, I have played out wide on a number of occasions , but in different set-ups where you are more controlled in possession and you keep the ball for longer in sustained periods. I felt at times I was used out wide last year where it was more counter attacking, in transition, a lot of defending, it didn’t necessarily get the best out of me.

“I like playing centrally, I feel like that is my best position, whether that is a no.6, 8 or 10.”

Williams is certainly feeling optimistic about the new season ahead, adding: “I am really excited. There were times when it did click last year, we just weren’t consistent enough and that’s why we didn’t make the play-offs, or top three.

“Consistency will be important this year and it will be important for us to get (Priestfield) rocking and a tough place for teams to come.

“We want to make it a place where we are hard to beat but also a place where we are exciting to watch and people want to come and watch us play.

“We want to make fans happy and get them off their seats and we will be needing the fans when it does get tough. When they do get behind you it makes’a massive difference to us.

“We are really looking forward to seeing them again.”