Gills full-back talks to iFollow after winning Player of the Year.
Gills defender Barry Fuller said it was “an honour” to be voted the club’s Player of the Year for the first time.
The 34-year-old was given his trophies, having also won `Away Player of the Year` at the club’s annual dinner/dance event on Sunday in the Great Hall, before making an appearance with the rest of the squad at Family Fun Day on Monday.
Speaking to iFollow, Barry said: “It’s an absolute privilege to win both awards and it shows that both the travelling fans and the ones here at Priestfield believe that my performances have been good. I know I am not the most skilful or the best player in the team, but I wear my heart on my sleeve and I always give everything for my team-mates and the club.
“The fans have appreciated that this season and have voted for me. I’m honoured.”
Read more | Player of the Year 2019
Gills rounded off the season with a terrific 3-0 win at Blackpool on Saturday; Tom Eaves netted a first half brace while Brandon Hanlan also racked up his ninth of the campaign. Barry said it was a great way to end the season.
He added: "We went to Blackpool wanting to win; we knew we had to be professional and do our jobs and in the first half we worked really hard as a team and took our chances.
“The two boys up front caused havoc as they have done in a lot of games. It summed up our season really as we haven’t been consistent enough to go on a run during the campaign but we ended 13th and had someone said that to me at the start of the season I probably would have taken it.
“When strikers are in form and hungry they want to keep going. When you give him [Eaves] half a chance he will create something for himself or take one someone else has set up and he’s got a fair few for us.”
Chairman Paul Scally, the first-team management and squad were in attendance on Monday as over 5000 people attended the club’s annual Family Day, and Fuller said it’s a great initiative which brings the fans closer to the players.
He added: “It’s a nice enjoyable day and it’s good to see everyone mingling together. You get that little interaction between the fans and the players and that’s what makes Gillingham a family club; people are in touch with the players and they get autographs, photos and can ask some questions."
Read more | Family Fun Day 2019
“I’ve never been to anything like this at another club. Luckily it’s dry! It’s been a long two or three days but it’s all ended on a high.
“During my off season I will have a couple of weeks of rest, spend some quality time with my family. A couple of holidays are booked; we have a ten-year wedding anniversary to celebrate in Dubai too.
“Those six weeks seem like two when you come back. I gradually build myself up and hopefully I’m in good enough shape when I return.”