Gillingham’s oldest pro Barry Fuller has praised former boss Mark Stimson for helping prolong his career.

The 34-year-old defender recently passed the 200-appearance mark for the Gills and has played over 500 games during his career.

Barry Fuller spoke to Joe Coshan on KMTV's Team Talk

Stimson first brought him to the Gills in January 2008.

Fuller said: “Mark Stimson signed me when I came here previously and he was the one who drummed into me about how you needed to look after your body and stay fit because the modern day game was changing.

“The game was getting quicker and you had to make sure you were available.

"There were always those youngsters coming through who are going to be more athletic than they were 10-15 years ago.”

Fuller was talking to KMTV last week and was asked about those managers who made the biggest impact on his career.

Another was AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley, who he spent five years with inbetween his two spells with the Gills.

“He was a different kind of manager to Stimmo,” Fuller said.

“He was tactically really good, clued up and he always went into depth about everything. I liked how he worked on a daily basis.

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“Those two had an impact on my career, more so than others, but I have been lucky, I have enjoyed playing under every manager I have worked with.

“I am lucky enough to have played a lot of games for most of the managers. Those two have probably had a bigger impact on me personally.”

Fuller wants to be a league manager himself one day. He is already manager of the under-23s at Ashford United.

“I like to pick out a bit from each manager that I have had in my career,” he said.

“I have had a few, they have all been different, but all with different methods to get their players ready and I do like to pick their brains, as well as the fitness side and with the physios.

"I like to widen my thoughts, not just around the football, but what else is involved in the club.”

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Asked if he would like to manage the Gills one day, he said: “100%, I would love it, one day, who knows? If there was a chance and I was at another club I am pretty sure I would be approaching the chairman to see if I could get my name in the hat.”

Fuller also runs his own academy, from Ashford.

He said: “We set it up for all kids of all abilities. If we found a gem then happy days but we wanted to help all kids to get into their school team or grassroots team.

“The reward is we give someone the opportunity to fulfil their dream as a footballer. If we could end up producing a player who played 200 games for a pro club that would be amazing.”

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