Essex-based Justin Edinburgh’s decision to join Gillingham had nothing to do with an easier journey into work.

Edinburgh spent four years commuting to south Wales as manager of Newport County while maintaining his Essex base.

There was speculation Gills’ location appealed to Edinburgh as talk of chairman Paul Scally’s interest gathered pace.

But Edinburgh said: “It’s not about the location because you can never choose that in football.

“Since I left school at 16, you never know the location of the club you’re going to be.

“It’s about the ambition, the club matching my ambitions – they’re football decisions.

“If you live in an area you’re not far away from then that can always help away from football but primarily it was about the football club and a career decision.”