Experienced defender Matt Lawrence put pen to paper on a one-year deal at Priestfield this morning and the former Crystal Palace man explained how the move came about, "Andy was probably the first person that I spoke to at the end of last season.
"I spoke to him at the back end of May, beginning of June, when things were looking a little unsure at Palace. The new Manager had still to be confirmed so it wasn't clear whether I would sign another contract there or not.
"I know Andy from playing against him, I know what a good player he was and the type of character he was on the pitch and I wanted to work with that kind of person."
Gillingham are listed amongst the bookies favourites to seal promotion at the first attempt but new boy Matt is unfazed by the challenge ahead, "I don't really listen to the bookies too much but I know that Gillingham are a good club and a big club.
"I've played against them quite a few times when they were in the Championship and Division 1 and I know that the club and the fans are desperate to go back up. As a footballer you thrive on that kind of thing and I hope that I can come in here and get promoted with Gillingham."
Lawrence in action at Priestfield for Millwall in 2005
Having played most of his football at Championship level, League Two could come as a shock to Lawrence but he is not entirely new to life in the League's basement division, "When I left University, I started off with Wycombe in League One, then dropped down and played a few games with Fulham at this level.
"Luckily I was promoted with them so I've only played 15 or 20 games at this level, with most of my football coming in the Championship. It will take a little bit of getting used to, but football is football and I'm sure I'll fit in well.
At 36, Matt brings a wealth of experience to the team and is adamant that he still has plenty of years left in him, adding, "I didn't start until I was 21 or 22 years old because I went to University, so I've only played 550 to 570 games.
"People like Graham Alexander and obviously the Gaffer here, Andy Hessenthaler, have played a lot more games, so I'm not going to say I'll play until I'm 40, but I think I have another couple of years left in me.
