by Luke Cawdell

A realistic chance of a return to League 1 was the reason goalkeeper Stuart Nelson joined Gillingham.

And the club’s No.1, pictured, is thrilled to see the promises made to him in the summer are being met.

“It is exciting times to be here,” said the 31-year-old former Notts County keeper. “We have new players coming in to add to an already-excellent squad.

“It is a great club to be at and why I chose to come here. I could see that from the start and it’s proved my choice right the way the boys have been.”

Nelson had previously been first choice in the division above with the Magpies, before they surprisingly released him in the summer.

But it was no surprise to anyone that he chose Gillingham as his next destination and to work again with Martin Allen, who had formed a good working relationship at the County Ground.

Nelson said: “I know what the gaffer wants to do. I know he wouldn’t come to a club without the ambition Gillingham have.

“We have three months to do the job we set out to do. It’s why I am here because I want to be back in the league I was in last season."

Read the full Stuart Nelson interview in Friday's Medway Messenger.