Euan Williams looks ahead to another season at Gillingham after signing a new deal and how team-mate and fellow Beths School pupil Bradley Dack can be an inspiration

Gillingham midfielder Euan Williams is hoping to take his career to another level next season and doesn’t have to look far for inspiration.

The 22-year-old came through the same school corridors as team-mate Bradley Dack, at Beths Grammar School in Bexley, and is relishing the chance of another season playing and competing alongside the Gills star.

Williams and Dack, who are nine years apart, have both signed one-year contract extensions this summer.

“Dacky’s been there and done it,” said former Charlton junior Williams. “I remember when I was a bit younger, I used to watch EFL highlights, and there would be a screamer going in from Dack every other weekend!

“He went to the same school as me - there are quite a few boys that have come through.

“Obviously, he’s a few years older than me, but I looked up to him and now we’re in the same team and we play in the same position, so for me to see him in training, to see what he’s good at, see what things I can try and take from his game, I can ask him questions, it’s quite a big thing for me.

“I used to watch him knocking in goals and stuff and now I get to see every day in training what he is capable of. His quality is still there.”

The two could be competing for the same spot in the team, but Williams said: “That’s just the reality of football, isn’t it? Obviously, we both want to play, everyone does. It’s just part and parcel of the game.

“For me to watch and to try and learn off him, it’s only going to help me, and hopefully we’ll see the best of him again.”

Beths Grammar School has a rich history of producing sporting talent, none better than former Olympic medalist Steve Backley, who still holds the British record javelin distance of 91.46m - a throw achieved 11 years