Retired Welsh international Jonny Williams will be familiar with Saturday’s surroundings when Gillingham take on Wrexham.

Williams played at the Racecourse Ground numerous times for Wales’ youth teams and more recently has enjoyed watching the club from afar as a viewer of the popular documentary series Welcome to Wrexham.

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But while the North Wales side have seen their upward rise broadcast worldwide, there’s a similar project back at Gillingham that for him is more exciting, even if it’s not created as much hype.

Williams said: “It’s been a good watch and it’s amazing what they have achieved, but we’re looking forward to going there (this Saturday) and hopefully putting on a show in a game we think we could win.

“It is a club that are having a right go, changing a lot of things, it is an exciting project but, likewise, I think the same about Gillingham here, with the owners and the goals and the dreams they have for this football club. It is exciting to be here and to be part of our own project.

“I joined the club to be part of that journey and it will be fantastic if we can get promoted and be a part of that.

“We want to be exciting to watch and get the results. It will be amazing if we can replicate what they are doing, but we have our own journey here that we want to focus on and do well for the team and the fans and everyone involved.

“I have fond memories of playing there as a kid and I am looking forward to it. Everyone wants to beat them, but fair play to them, they keep at it and they have proven a lot of people wrong and won a lot of football matches.

“They have got a very prolific goalscorer as well and it is a game that excites us and for it to be our manager’s first league game, it will be a spectacle I am sure.

“I am sure we will have a great following, as we did at Swindon, and that makes a massive difference to the players when we have their backing.”

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Williams, who was capped 33 times for Wales before retiring from the international scene earlier this year, admits there’s more to come from him at Gillingham.

He made it to two European Championships and a World Cup while representing Wales and played top-level football for Crystal Palace and Championship football elsewhere.

At 30, he still feels he can learn more in the game and is looking forward to working under newly-appointed boss Stephen Clemence and the attacking style of football he’s keen to adopt.

He said: “We have a new manager [which is] always an exciting time as a player. [It’s a] fresh start for everyone and we are in a good position to push on in the league.

“We are a together group and we have been in teams that have been promoted and the one thing that stands out in those is that the groups have stayed together no matter what, win lose or draw. You can see that in this group.

“He (Clemence) said he wouldn’t have come here if he didn’t believe this squad was able to achieve something special. He has full belief in the players and wants us to achieve some things along the way.

“It’s not going to happen overnight. He will want to change certain aspects and we are a group that will listen and take that onboard and give 110% for him and his coaching staff and see where we end up.

“I thought (recent opponents) Notts County were brilliant the way they played, not just typical League 2 like all those years ago, where people just bash it.

“We need to find the right balance and trust each other a bit more with the football and make things happen.

“He wants us to create, sustain pressure in games, which we haven’t done too well. If we can stay on top and lock teams in and keep constant attacks and be exciting to watch, I am all on board for that.

“I want to be on the ball as much as I can, making things happen. I am excited.

“I am not playing at my full tilt yet, there is a lot more to come, hopefully with goals and assists. I am excited to be working with him and I think he will improve me again.

“It’s settled us down now we have a manager that’s signed and sealed. The boys seem happy and content.”