Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has praised the 'incredible' work of the club's groundsman, Haydn Lawrance, after returning for pre-season.

What happened?

The Gills players reported back from their summer break last Thursday, but while they were off recuperating, Lawrance was putting in the hard yards to get the Priestfield pitch ready for another season. Ainsworth has paid tribute to Lawrance after being impressed by the condition of the pitches, at Priestfield and their training base at Beechings Cross. The manager said the work behind the scenes had not gone unnoticed, with Lawrance working 12-hour days to prepare the pitches.

Why it matters for Gillingham

The Gills' supporters will get their first look at Ainsworth's reshaped squad when Charlton Athletic visit Priestfield on Saturday, July 18, before fellow Championship side Millwall visit a few days later, on Tuesday, July 21. Ainsworth believes the calibre of opposition will provide the perfect test ahead of the new campaign, as Gillingham looks to improve on their 17th place finish in League Two last season, with 53 points from 46 games, and a recent form of WLLLD.

What comes next?

The Gills' pre-season programme starts on Tuesday night, July 14, when they visit Dover Athletic, and their first competitive home fixture comes against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, August 8, before they begin their League Two campaign at Priestfield against Walsall a week later, with the team currently 34 points behind leaders Bromley, and having scored 53 goals and conceded 72 last season, following their last result, a 1-0 win against Shrewsbury on May 2, 2026.