Jonny Williams picked up the man-of-the-match champagne on Tuesday night after coming out of one of his toughest periods as a professional footballer.
Williams started only three times during ex-head coach Mark Bonner’s time at the helm and had to settle for a handful of substitute appearances from previous boss John Coleman, but it’s a fresh beginning for the former Wales international, getting a new lease of life under Gareth Ainsworth.
The 31-year-old has started both games under new boss Ainsworth and was the driving force behind Gillingham’s dominant midweek showing against Colchester United.
Williams said: “It’s been a frustrating season for me, as a group and individually. I think I only started three games before the new manager came in.
“I’ve been fit pretty much the whole season. For me, it’s probably been one of the toughest of my career.
“You’ve just got to stay ready. You’ve got to keep training hard, and you’ve got to keep believing you’re good enough.
“When you get the opportunity, you’ve got to do your best. Try and stay in the team and help the team.
“I’m happy I was able to do that and repay the fans’ faith in me. Hopefully, it’s the start of something. The gaffer wants to build something here. It’s been a great start.
“He’s been brilliant, to be honest. I’d heard lots of good things. I spoke to players that have played with him and managed them players as well. People spoke so highly of him.
“We’ve only had them in for just under a week. Him and Dobbo (the assistant boss Richard Dobson) have been brilliant, not just as managers but as people. They seem like top, top people.
“It’s great. You want to work with people like that. The boys are buzzing. You want to leave everything out there for him as well. You can see that throughout the whole group.
“The manager just breeds that confidence and positivity throughout the squad.
“It’s been really enjoyable. It’s been a great start. Hopefully it’s something we can build on now. We’re a few games unbeaten. It’ll be nice to get some wins. Turn the draws into wins.”
Williams is contracted for another season at the Gills and will hope to play a bigger part next term.
“I’ve always been ready,” Williams said.
“I’ve done really well with injuries. I’ve stayed fit. I’ve been available, but haven’t been selected this season. So, it’s been frustrating. But I was ready to play.
“You just have to remain ready. Training never replicates a match day, fitness-wise.
“I’ve managed to play 80 minutes (at Harrogate) and then a full game (on Tuesday) in the space of three days. I’m buzzing with that. I just need to look after myself and get ready for Saturday. They come thick and fast now.
“Football is all about timing and opportunities. People will say, ‘Just remain positive’. ‘Your time will come’. ‘Football changes quick’ and it does. It really does.
“We’ve had so many managers in the short space. All you can do as an individual is take care of your body, yourself, your mindset and be ready for whenever you’re called upon. Once that game’s gone, you prepare for the next one. That’s the life of a footballer.
“The last seven games will be really important for the manager, for the players, for the fans, for the club in general.
“The manager, I’m sure, will be looking with the one-eye on next season, but we’ve still got a job to do. We still have to get safe, get the points. I’m sure we will if we keep playing like that. We’ve just got to look after ourselves, play well, play for the manager and see what happens.
“Of course, we’d like to win more games. It’s been a bad season but it would be great to finish it off with a feel-good factor and something that we can look forward to for next season.”
