Justin Edinburgh has been named Gillingham manager after chairman Paul Scally asked players who they wanted in charge.

Edinburgh was unveiled as Peter Taylor’s successor on a two-and-a-half-year deal on Saturday and is targeting a late run to the League 1 play-offs.

He had the backing of players after Mr Scally decided to involve his squad in the selection process – a first in his two decades as chairman.

Former Newport boss Edinburgh watched from the stands as Gills moved to within five points of the top six with a 2-0 win over Sheffield United. He will be in charge for the first time at Peterborough on Tuesday night.

But the ex-Tottenham defender may not have got the job without the support of the Gillingham squad.

Mr Scally said: “They played a part in him being here as well because I asked them for their views and I think that’s quite important.

“These are the guys that have got to work with the new manager, so why wouldn’t you take on board their views and their opinions?

“It was very pleasing that from the questionnaire I gave them – a kind of a private and confidential, anonymous survey – every response I got back was very sensible, intelligent and well thought through and that kind of sums up the team we’ve got here.

“I think the players appreciated that and I’m very pleased with the response I got and
I’m confident we’ve got the right man for the job.”

Gills interviewed 15 candidates before selecting Edinburgh from a shortlist of three.

Read the full story in Monday's Medway Messenger