Joe Martin reveals delight after signing new deal
Joe Martin has revealed his delight at extending his contract at MEMS Priestfield Stadium after putting pen to paper on a new two-year deal.
Joe was a regular at full back during last season’s championship winning campaign and will continue his affiliation with the club after initially joining in December 2010.
To date he has made 97 appearances for the club, scoring four goals in total – one of which against Burton Albion last October in a 4-1 victory at Priestfield.
Speaking exclusively to Gills Player Joe said he has enjoyed his summer break, but is eager to get going once again.
He said: “I’m delighted, obviously after winning promotion last year I want to get cracking, have a go at League One and see if we can replicate what we did last year so it’s going to be interesting.
“It’s a club going places with the setup, the players and the management that we have here now. I want to play as high as I can and I’ve had a taste of Championship football and I want to get back there so I’m looking forward to it.
“With contracts there are lots of little things that take time and it has to be right for the club and for me. There is no point signing if you are not happy, but I am happy and I hope the club are aswell.
“We started talking midway through the season and it was decided by the Manager and us that we would leave it until the end of the season when we had time and that’s what happened.”
Martin said clinching promotion last season was the best moment of his career so far, but says he is up for a new challenge as the club looks to build on its success.
He added: “I wouldn’t say it was easy but we went top after a few games and then being able to sustain that all season is some achievement and it was the highlight of my career so far.
“I was disappointed that I broke my toe for the AFC Wimbledon game but I was lucky enough to play in the game before when we got promoted so it was a brilliant day and it has made the summer much nicer and there is a new challenge ahead now.”
Joe added that he is looking forward to meeting up with the rest of the squad and is especially pleased that the Gills will play their first game of the new season at home to Colchester.
He said: “It seems a long time since I’ve seen them but it will be good to get fit again and we go straight in to a game on Saturday and that will set us off.
“A few of the boys were at Peterborough when they got back to back promotions and there is no reason why that can’t happen with us.
“We have got momentum, we have belief having come up as Champions and hopefully we can get a good start and carry that on through the season.
“First and foremost we need to get to the points tally we need to stay up. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves but this club is more than capable of aiming high.”
You can view Joe’s exclusive interview for Gills Player by clicking here.