Shaun Williams admitted another season playing at Gillingham seemed unlikely six months ago but has revelled in the team’s upturn in form.

The 36-year-old improved with the introduction of added quality in January and has excelled since then, taking the captain’s arm-band in the process. He’s earned a new contract and it’s all good now.

“The opportunity to continue playing is massive,” he said, having agreed a new deal last week.

“With the age I am at now, I just want to enjoy playing, and I have that opportunity here. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

“The better players we brought in during January made my performance level rise and to be in a winning team most weeks was what I came here for.”

It had been a tough first half of the season for everyone - including the players. Williams is in the latter stages of his playing career and was questioning the wisdom of playing on.

“It wasn’t enjoyable,” he said. “We were losing most weeks and I didn’t know whether I wanted to continue or not but then obviously we picked up form and it was quite enjoyable then.

“I have got up to my level A (coaching badges), I have that to fall back on if needed, but my goal is to play for as long as I can.

“(The second half of the season) was fantastic and we were going into games confident of getting something from them. I can’t see why that can’t continue next season, there is a lot to do behind the scenes and hopefully it all comes to fruition.”

He’s got a great rapport with the manager and is glad they’ve both come out of the other side of a tough period for them both.

“He is massive,” said the Irishman. “I am glad he is still here to be quite honest because before Christmas it looked negative towards him.

“He organised the team and had a more settled team in the second half of the season, as oppose to the first half when we were changing maybe two or three players (every game), trying to get the right formula and unfortunately it didn’t come.

“With a settled team in the second half of the season we were able to focus the team and the shape and everyone kind of knew their roles, that worked.”

When the new signings arrived in January, many of the players that started the 2022/23 season were still given a chance to fit into the new way. Some made it and other didn’t. Williams’ quality shone through.

Harris had the budget and the players but getting them to click wasn’t a guarantee but they did so straight away.

“It was the quality of the player we brought in,” Williams said. “They were in the positions that were needed. In the summer last year he signed 16-17 players something like that, it’s unfortunate that it wasn’t to be, but the new lads that came in settled straight away and helped us massively.

“It has been enjoyable and we are winning most weeks is why you want to play for.”

Williams is currently out injured with a knee issue. He went under the knife to remove some damaged cartilage and is hobbling around on crutches. He’s expected to be fine again soon and certainly ready to go in pre-season.

He said: “It was a case where I probably could have continued with pain management but I had a procedure that will make sure I am right as rain in no time.”

He’ll be watching a live stream from home this Monday as the Gills head to Salford.

“It is nice to know we are safe in the division,” he said, ahead of a well-earned break. “It will be nice to get away but I do miss the football, the routine, coming in and working hard.”