King happy to be back

Last updated : 12 June 2008 By Simon Head

The Gills kicked off their pre-season this week with a series of fitness sessions, supervised by fitness coach Danny Ellis.

Their early start even attracted the Sky Sports cameras, who turned up at Gillingham's Beechings Cross training ground to watch Ellis and Stimson put the players through their paces.

Despite the early start, last year's Players' Player of the Year at Priestfield said he was pleased to be back.

"We don't mind. We had four weeks in May to have a little rest and recuperate," King told the Kent Messenger.

"In professional football you normally start doing a bit in June anyway so it just means we're all coming together so that's good.

"It's just to generally open up the lungs again. On Tuesday it was a bit of a longer run but on Thursday it's been more agility work, short sprints and getting your feet going again. It's a bit of a blow, but we don't mind."