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Happiness away from the park is key to success on it, says midfielder Stuart O’Keefe.
Last week Nathan Thomas left Gillingham on compassionate grounds, just three weeks after signing, after his family had struggled to settle.
Former Cardiff City player O’Keefe has moved closer to where he calls home, living near Orpington, and that can make a big difference.
“Football is not really a job, it’s a way of life and it can be tough at times," he said.
“You have to do what you have to do. It’s hard for the family members and the kids, or whatever, but you do have to be settled at the end of the day. If you are not then you are not going to perform, you’re not going to be right and it won’t work for Gillingham or the player.
“We want people to be happy, for people to want to be here and want to develop and play and give their all for Gillingham. You have to do what’s best for you and your family.
“This is perfect for me, I am back home, for me this is a perfect location, I am really happy and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
O’Keefe has shown during pre-season he’s going to be a key figure for the Gills, controlling things from the middle of the pitch.
He got stuck in against Southend on Friday, with a few crunching tackles, and was vocal out on the pitch.
Both are key attributes for the 28-year-old.
He said: “When you’re in the middle you’re going to have those tackles throughout the season but it’s all good and I feel fine.
“I am going to be like that, I’m going to go into my share of 50-50s or 40-60s and going to get knocks and bruises this season, but it’s part and parcel of being in the middle of the park.”
And on the vocal side, he added: “It’s nice to offer that, we need to communicate on the pitch.
"There are some younger boys out there and I need to help them wherever I can and tell them, instruct or encourage or give a rollocking if needed, whatever.
“To be vocal is very important for me in the role I play at Gillingham. If I can help get more out of the boys then I get more out of the team then that works for me, I can get more out of myself.”
