Gillingham chairman Paul Scally is hoping Peter Taylor’s arrival will turn around the club’s fortunes on the transfer front.

The Gills started the season with the most expensive squad that had ever been assembled under the reign of Mr Scally, but ended it battling relegation and only survived on the final day.

Taylor has returned to Gillingham for a third spell, this time as director of football, and Mr Scally hopes he can help bring in the talent that has been missing.

“Player recruitment is key,” said Mr Scally, who confirmed Ady Pennock will head up his new-look management team last week.

“If we were to look at the last two years our recruitment hasn’t been particularly good, generally.

“Peter has a very experienced CV and will be a massive help to make sure we do our utmost to bring in players who will give us the best chance for a good season.”

It was a tough introduction to Football League management for Pennock, battling off-field issues and winning just four of his 21 games.

Taylor has experience at all levels and that is something Mr Scally was keen to add to the set-up this time around.

He said: “One of the things I was slightly concerned about was his lack of experience as a Football League manager.

“That was something that was on my mind.

“Peter Taylor is someone I have always had a huge amount of time and respect for, he is very experienced and there is probably nobody with the contacts book that he has, contacts not just in the UK but internationally.

“Peter was a big factor in me continuing with Ady as we are now, because I feel with him as director of football we have a lot of experience and a steadying hand. He will have final say over player recruitment, a big input into training methods, culture, discipline and fitness.”