Gillingham completed the free transfer signing of former Crystal Palace defender Matt Lawrence on a one-year deal in August 2010 as Andy Hessenthaler sought to increase his options in defence.

Born in Northampton, Lawrence began his career with non-league Grays Athletic, coming into the game late after completing a degree in American Literature.

He moved into the League with Wycombe Wanderers five months later and enjoyed two spells at Adams Park, either side of a season-long stay with Fulham.

Matt moved to Millwall in 2000, where he clocked up well-over 200 league starts in six seasons at the New Den. Lawrence also collected an FA Cup runners-up medal in 2004 and was involved in the Lions subsequent Uefa Cup campaign.

In 2006, he made the short trip across South London to Selhurst Park, making a further 121 league appearances for Crystal Palace, before his release last summer. The 36 year-old can operate at right-back or centre-half and helped the Gills to a clean sheet on his debut in the 0-0 draw at Hereford United.

His assured and uncompromising performances quickly made him a firm favourite with the Gills faithful who voted Matt third in the club's Player of the Year poll.