Gillingham’s former managers Neil Harris and Stephen Clemence offer their support to new boss Mark Bonner

Gillingham’s former managers Stephen Clemence and Neil Harris have both offered their support to the club’s new boss Mark Bonner.

Harris was sacked by the Gills in October and ironically replaced Bonner at Cambridge the following month before ending the season at Millwall. Clemence was let go by Gillingham last Monday.

The new manager at Gillingham welcomed the approach from the pair who will have plenty of insight into the group of players he’s inherited.

Bonner said: “There were a couple of versions of the Gillingham team last year because of the changes that were made and I am due to speak to Neil and Steve, both reached out to me and wished me well.

“They have offered their support to give me some help, which is great, to try and pick their brains on their experiences which will help me as I try and gather a picture of how everything looks and where I want to take things.”

For Bonner, he wasn’t surprised that both Clemence and Harris had made contact.

He said: “It is nice but people wouldn’t really understand because if you are outside of that circle of the game, it would feel like it is incredibly competitive and there are very few jobs and it is why I am so proud to be here.

“There are very few jobs and so many good people that want them and when you get one it is an amazing opportunity and you have got to fight like anything to keep hold of it and make a success of it.

“Actually, the camaraderie between everyone in it is exceptional. Unless you have done it you don’t know how hard it is.

“There is real empathy and it makes the relationship between managers very strong.

“Everyone does look out for each other and they know the cycle of the game means sometimes you’re in it, sometimes you’re out of it, but I think