Kent-born Jonny Williams admits League 2 play-off glory with Gillingham would mean more to him than previous promotions.
Midfielder Williams, originally from Tunbridge Wells but a Wales international, qualifying to play for them through his father, went up to the Premier League with Crystal Palace in 2013 and to the Championship with Charlton six years later.
Williams will look to lean upon that experience to ensure the Gills earn a top-seven League 2 finish this season – and then achieve promotion via the play-offs.
“It (Gillingham) is the only team in the Football League from Kent,” he said. “Being born in Kent, of course it’ll mean something more to me.
“It would mean everything to me if we could get promoted. That was my dream and my aim when I signed here.
“There’s a chance for me to get promoted again and those days stay with you for the rest of your life.
“I was fortunate enough to do it with Palace and Charlton – both clubs near Kent, as well – so if I could get one (a promotion) for a club in Kent, that would be the icing on the cake.”
Report: Gillingham 1-1 Tranmere
Head coach Clemence on Gills’ 1-1 draw with Tranmere
Williams has urged Gillingham’s players to enjoy the experience of being in the promotion mix.
Ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to fellow play-off hopefuls AFC Wimbledon, he said: “You have got a chance of having a season to remember and you have got a chance of making the play-offs.
“Once you get into the play-offs, anything can happen. I do believe that.
“I think experience is going to be key. We have got to enjoy this run, as well, because we have put ourselves in this position to get into the play-offs.
“That will be an amazing achievement and who knows what can happen? But it needs to start on Tuesday and we need to get three points there.
“It’s going to be something we have to enjoy because it doesn’t always happen in careers.”
Williams revealed head coach Stephen Clemence and assistant Robbie Stockdale had reminded their troops not to let the campaign pass them by at half-time in their 1-1 home draw against Tranmere on Saturday.
The Gills came from behind to equalise through defender Conor Masterson – and thought they had won it at the death, only to see midfielder Tim Dieng’s effort ruled out for handball. But a point was enough to move them into the top seven.
“It was a bit of a sense of it’s now or never,” said Williams. “These are the games we need to win if we want to get promoted.
“The gaffer (Clemence) and Robbie both said at half-time ‘We want this to be a season to remember.’ We don’t just want it to pass us by.
“We’re 1-0 down at home and we’re more than good enough to get back into this game. They built us up, gave us confidence but, also, said that we need to be better, of course. I do think there is a responsibility from us as players to have that from the first minute.
“We don’t need to wait until half-time for that reaction and need to take responsibility ourselves to start games quickly and go back into the dressing room 1-0 or 2-0 up, attacking the Rainham End with a lead.
“That hasn’t happened enough this season and it’s something that we need to change.”
Trailing to 17th-placed Tranmere, Gillingham made two switches at the break and also reverted to a back four as fellow midfielder Connor Mahoney, in particular, shone.
Williams himself is happy to play wherever he is required, depending on the system Clemence goes with.
He noted: “Whatever formation we play, wherever I’m asked to play, I’ll give 100 percent.
“To be honest, since a young age, I’ve been lucky enough to learn how to play in numerous positions – whether that’s on the left wing, tucking in from the left, No.8, No.6 or No.10. I’ve been fortunate enough to learn those positions all over the pitch.
“I don’t mind where I play in this team because I’m surrounded by good players that can play with the ball, take possession of the ball and I thought the lads that did come on at half-time made a great impact for us.
“Connor ran down the wing, Lappo (George Lapslie) brought good energy, and he’s a good footballer. They’re good players to play with.
“I’m delighted with the second-half showing.”
Williams can only recall one previous trip to Plough Lane while he was with Swindon – and it was a memorable one!
He said: “I’ve been there once – we won 5-1!
“If we could replicate that, that would be amazing. That was last season, towards the end of the season. It was a great day at the office.
“We scored a lot of goals! I’m hopeful that we can replicate that.”
When the teams met in November at Priestfield – a match delayed by a power cut – Masterson got the only goal as Gillingham won 1-0.
Johnnie Jackson’s side head into the midweek match a point and a place behind the Gills in the table, having earned a 2-0 weekend win at Notts County.
Williams said: “They’re a good side.
“It wasn’t an easy game at our place when we played them earlier in the season. Obviously, the lights went out – hopefully, that doesn’t happen again! It was an important three points.
“They lost one of their best players in January (Ali Al-Hamadi) to Ipswich, who was a very good striker. But they’re a good team.
“They will be hard-working and tough to play against, so it’ll be tough to play against.
“It’ll be a right battle.”
