First team coach Steve Lovell didn’t have to think hard about a return to Gillingham.

Despite enjoying success as an assistant manager at Bromley, working with ex-Gills midfielder Neil Smith, Lovell was unlikely to turn down the chance to get back onto the training ground at Beechings Cross.

He said: “There was an opportunity to come back to a club I love, it’s in my blood, it was a no-brainer.

“I wanted to come back here and help the gaffer (Ady Pennock) with Jamie (Day) and Neil (Withington), and I think we’ve got hard work ahead of us.

“It needs to be done, it needs to be organised and hopefully we will get them moving in the right direction. It is just great to be back here.”

Lovell was a popular figure among players and supporters at the Gills during his last coaching stint, before being axed by Justin Edinburgh at the end of last season.

He hopes to now get the training ground buzzing again.

He said: “The main thing is about enjoying it and if you enjoy what you’re doing you are going to get the best results.

“We live and breathe football and we will make sure the players enjoy what they are doing, which in turn will make the supporters enjoy themselves and they deserve a bit of happiness. We just want people to enjoy what they are doing.”

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And Lovell had no interest in dragging up the past, as he and the coaching team look to get the Gills climbing back up League 1.

He said: “That is in the past and we have to look to the future. That is football. You accept it and move on.

“We have a great team here, the three of us, and Neil the fitness coach, and we will put in all the hours we can here.

“We have to spend a lot of time at the training ground, working with the players and making sure they all understand their roles and responsibilities.

“I know that the supporters will see a different team. It might take a bit of time but they have to be with us and we will be working towards change, which does take time.

"I know we haven’t got a lot of it but we will do it and start straight away.”