The signings already announced are just the start of the revolution at Gillingham according to manager Neil Harris.

Gillingham were booed off the Priestfield pitch after their last home League game of 2022 – the Boxing Day defeat to Colchester United which left Neil Harris’ side cemented to the bottom of the Football League.

That was just three weeks ago, and the response of the home crowd after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Hartlepool United couldn’t have been more different as the first of the Transfer Window signings starred – Priestfield has a completely different feel going into the club’s first League Two games of 2023.

And that enthusiasm and genuine optimism for the second half of the season projects best from Harris himself as KSN found out as the manager reflected on the first four new signings, admitting, “Obviously we’re delighted! Is it a statement of intent? I think that started last Saturday (in the FA Cup) with the atmosphere and the occasion against Leicester and the signing of Tom Nichols before over Christmas even though he couldn’t play until now, was the start of it!”

“We’ve been aware of Timmy Dieng for a long time. My team played against him in a Play Off Final when he was at Bradford, I saw a lot of him when he was at Southend, and I’ve seen a fair bit of him this season too when we played Exeter in the Carabao Cup.”

“He is a fantastic addition and he’s been very successful in this division before – he’s scored goals in the League above and isn’t coming in just to be a goal-scorer… he is a midfield player, he’s an eight, can play as a ten or even holding midfield or a centre half.”

“I’m really pleased to get him in as he’s a fantastic character off the pitch and he and Tom are certainly going to help up improve as a group.”

Harris then announced the arrival of his next signings – Oli Hawkins from Mansfield and the return of keeper Glenn Morris.

“We have bought Oli from Mansfield on a permanent contract. He comes in as I’ve felt we’ve been short in attacking areas options wise and Oli comes in as centre forward but is also one of the rare breeds who can play centre half too!”

“What we’ve known and seen for a long time now is that he’s best in both boxes as we saw when we faced Mansfield here earlier in the season. It’s a big coup for us to add him to the group and it’ll definitely help us compete.

“We’ve now been able to attract a player of his experience and pedigree and knowledge of the division – someone who has been very successful in the division and the League above; it’s really a big thing for us and complements what we’re trying to do.”

“Glenn Morris has also signed a contract to the end of the season. He’s already done extremely well for us in a very difficult period for this Football Club. He’s terminated his contract at Crawley with immediate effect and we’ve signed him until June.”

“Our goalkeeping department is probably one of the successes as whoever has been in goal for us has done very, very well and credit must go to the coach Deren Ibrahim for that.”

“Whoever has played has always had the other’s support; they’ve been in and out and both performed admirably as a pair, and we need that to continue!”

“We’re now able to finally compete with the top eight or ten teams in the division – we’re doing sensible business; we are doing aggressive business and we’ve been able to sign players and will carry on signing players.”

“That’s the biggest thing, the fact that we can now compete in the transfer market – we can rival the top teams and get in the players that we need. It’s important that we focus on areas that I feel we need to improve – we’ve focused on the spine of the team to make sure we get competitive, and I feel that we need to add quality to the wider areas as well, but players have to be available.”

“The guys are working so hard to find players and it’s been refreshing and very welcoming. So far, it’s worked brilliantly but there are only so many hours in the day and so many phones that they can hold to their ears at once.”

“What we’ve done so far is fantastic but we’re going to keep battling to get the players to get the points total that we need to improve where we are, and we’ll continue to add to the group.”

“I always talk about evolution of Football Clubs, and this is a big window for us. We have to be better in the second half of the season. Yes, it almost feels like a fresh start for everybody – there’s spring in everyone’s step in training, people are looking over their shoulders wondering if they’re going to get a game or not.”

“What I will say is that everyone has had an opportunity to play for this Football Club – we’ve played thirty-five games so far which is more than anyone else in the country.”

“We know the strengths and weaknesses in the group – some will get better with better calibre of players around them; some might fall by the wayside in the most professional manner. We need to keep adding!”

And adding the manager has by the signing of George Lapslie at the weekend from Mansfield Town, who was unveiled at Priestfield just before kick-off as the side went on to beat Hartlepool United 2-0.

There are still two weeks left in the window – how many more will come through the doors of the Great Hall before the Gills host Crawley Town on February 4th ?