Fuller and Gillingham did not win an away game last season

Gillingham captain Barry Fuller has revealed he would not have signed his new contract if he did not approve of new manager Andy Hessenthaler.

His deal ran out at the end of last season but he delayed signing a two-year extension until Hessenthaler's appointment was confirmed last month.

"I wanted to wait just in case it was someone I didn't like or who didn't like me," Fuller told BBC Radio Kent.

"Once I knew who it was I was willing to sign as I knew Hess from before."

"I didn't want to sign a contract and then be there and not play."

Fuller was given the captain's armband by former boss Mark Stimson and was one of the few players offered a new deal by chairman Paul Scally before Hessenthaler's arrival.

You always want a manager who can get the best out of you and make you a better player Barry Fuller

"Once Stimson had gone, the chairman spoke to me and said he'd offer me a contract before the new manager came in, but I said I'd like to wait and see who the new manager is first," said Fuller.

"It had to be someone who I thought would be good for the club, the team and myself.

"You always want a manager who can get the best out of you and make you a better player. Knowing Hess, I believed he could do that and he was one of the main reasons for staying."

Fuller also believes Hessenthaler will settle into the role quickly because of his long association with the club.

"Even though he wasn't manager, he still came to a lot of our home games. He probably knows a lot about us and the type of players he wants to keep," said Fuller.

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