Goalkeeper Simon Royce revealed he snubbed the chance of playing in the Championship after signing a new one-year deal at Gillingham.The club's player of the year finally put pen to paper the new deal last week and the 36-year-old admits the influence of manager Mark Stimson was the main reason behind his decision.

Royce told KentOnline: "I'm pleased to sign and I've signed for Mark Stimson really. If it was anyone else I might not have signed, and I could have gone somewhere else.

"He's staying and I get on really well with him so that's the main reason I signed."

The 36-year-old added: "I would have gone somewhere else and I would have had no problem getting another club. I spoke to a Championship club and was waiting to see what they were doing - there would have been something else too."

Meanwhile, veteran defender Ian Cox, who was released by the Gills in March, has joined Ryman Premier League side Maidstone United.

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