Shaun Williams will be playing for Gillingham in League 2 next season after agreeing a new deal and he’s delighted with the club’s turnaround

Shaun Williams admitted another season playing at Gillingham seemed unlikely six months ago but has revelled in the team’s upturn in form.

The 36-year-old improved with the introduction of added quality in January and has excelled since then, taking the captain’s arm-band in the process. He’s earned a new contract and it’s all good now.

“The opportunity to continue playing is massive,” he said, having agreed a new deal last week.

“With the age I am at now, I just want to enjoy playing, and I have that opportunity here. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

“The better players we brought in during January made my performance level rise and to be in a winning team most weeks was what I came here for.”

It had been a tough first half of the season for everyone - including the players. Williams is in the latter stages of his playing career and was questioning the wisdom of playing on.

“It wasn’t enjoyable,” he said. “We were losing most weeks and I didn’t know whether I wanted to continue or not but then obviously we picked up form and it was quite enjoyable then.

“I have got up to my level A (coaching badges), I have that to fall back on if needed, but my goal is to play for as long as I can.

“(The second half of the season) was fantastic and we were going into games confident of getting something from them. I can’t see why that can’t continue next season, there is a lot to do behind the scenes and hopefully it all comes to fruition.”

He’s got a great rapport with the manager and is glad they’ve both come out of the other side of a tough period for them both.

“He is massive,” said the Irishman. “I am glad he is still here to be quite honest because before Christmas it looked negative towards him.

“He organised the team and had a