Jayden Clarke has revealed how training with new team-mate Aaron Rowe over the summer has helped give him an extra edge in pre-season.
Clarke ended last season with little to smile about after being restricted to appearances off the bench at best but a change of manager has seen him start afresh. He’s looked impressive in pre-season and two goals on Tuesday night – in a 4-0 win over Dartford – showed that hard work is paying off.
Helping him prepare for the new season was newcomer Rowe – who joined from Crewe – a player who is challenging him for the left-wing position in the team.
Clarke said: “We play in the same position but we both want the best for each other, we are both young boys trying to get further in our careers and we want to push each other in the best way possible.
“He’s a good friend and I always want him to do well when he is on the pitch and I think he wants me to do well. It is all good.
“I knew who he was (before he joined) and I was working with him in the summer after he signed with us. I was doing some work with him outside of Gillingham, building a connection there.
“We had a mix of sessions, football sessions to get the feet going again and did a lot of track running, hill running, we were pushing each other and I think we are both in a good place now.
“Second half of last year I didn’t play too much so I felt like I needed to get a head start.
“I went on holiday with my family and had a good time but came back a little earlier to put in some extra work and get myself in a better place, which I needed, and I feel a lot better now for it. I am happy.
“I feel good, I feel like I am in a better place physically and mentally. I am looking forward to starting the season and hopefully I can have a better year than I did last year.
“Everyone comes in on a fresh slate, I feel like I am doing alright so far. Always room to improve, hopefully I can push on and keep it like that.”
Clarke was on media duty after Tuesday’s win at Dartford and it was evident in that conversation that things are different this time around.
He appeared relaxed, more talkative than in previous interviews and is clearly in a happy place.
His two goals came in quick succession as the Gills started the second half in dominant fashion. He chipped the keeper for his first and tapped in an opportune second to cap a lively night down the left flank for the Gills.
Replacing him on the hour was Rowe and he’s looking forward to the competition.
Clarke said: “You need that in every team because if someone is not doing what they need to do then we’ve got someone on the same level to replace them.
“It is good competition, nobody is toxic, everyone is pushing each other and on the left at the moment it is me and Aaron Rowe.
“I am happy to score two goals, I need to add more goals to my game, it is something I am working on and hopefully I can build on it and more can come.”
There are always winners and losers when a new manager takes over. Clarke is clearly enjoying a new chance to impress. He joined from non-league Dulwich Hamlet in January 2023, described at the time as a “project.”
If he can continue his pre-season form into League 2 then it could be a good year for him.
He’s certainly enjoying working under new boss Mark Bonner and the way he wants to play.
Clarke said: “The gaffer said when he joined that (pace) is something he wants in his side, and we have got that. We need to keep working on in and building.
“I feel like (the set-up) does suit me, I feel like you will definitely see a better player than you did last year.
“Pre-season has been good so far, everyone is enjoying it under the new gaffer. It is exciting but we still have room to improve. I feel like we are going to be good.”
