Gillingham manager Neil Harris is hoping to bridge the gap between the club’s first team and their academy as part of a long-term plan.

Harris’ immediate task is winning games of football with fixtures coming thick and fast but there is plenty else he hopes to improve at the club. The youth structure is one area that he will look at.

He’s agreed a two and a half year stay with the Gills and during that time chairman Paul Scally hopes he can sort out some key areas at the club.

Harris said: “It is Paul Scally’s vision, he knows the club needs adapting and dragging into what I would say is modern football and simple things like the academy.

“I have known Bryan Bull (Gillingham’s academy manager) for 20 years, more so the last 10, he does great work in the academy and it is a great catchment area to bring players through. I want the youngsters to feel like there is a pathway. I want eight and nine-year-olds to sign for Gillingham rather than crossing the water and going to different clubs because they can’t see a pathway to the first team and you only get that by showing it and doing it.”

There will be discussions over whether the club can finance an under-23 team, a “B-team” or other ways of helping players make the leap from youth team to first team. The club have just sent several youngsters out on loan to further their education.

Gillingham have used youth team players this season to fill gaps in their senior squad but the difference is standards is huge.

Harris said: “It is something to be discussed internally how we bridge that gap.

“I will only play, or expect players to play, if I think they are ready. The Covid impact has seen youngsters get an opportunity at all clubs, players get thrown in and it is a big ask for them.

“You have to support those players and nurture them and then when they do get a taste of it you have to drop them back out and in again when they are ready. It is making sure there is a plan in place.

“There is a big gap between under-18 football and first team football in the EFL and bridging that gap could be a 23s team, a B team, a loan system, but then you are talking about managing it and financing it and these are the things that myself and Paul will discuss in the coming weeks to make sure the young players, as has happened in the past here, get the opportunity to come through and represent Gillingham Football Club.

“There is nothing better or prouder as a manager when the crowd sing your name but just as nice is when you build a long term project, when they are singing to a player on the pitch “he is one of our own” and that is a great feeling for a club.”