Gillingham’s League 2 survival is just the beginning as manager Neil Harris plots better times ahead.

The club are currently in the business of negotiating deals with players he wants to keep - on top of those already signed up for next term - and he’s excited for what lies ahead.

• More: Midfielder in contract talks with Gills

Harris’ side were nose-diving towards non-league at the end of last year but new owners and a cash injection helped improved the squad dramatically, ensuring the club’s Football League status is assured.

The manager knew once the Galinsons took over there were better times ahead but salvaging the season from the depths of despair over the winter has taken some doing.

Harris said: “If we hadn’t adjusted in the transfer window we would have [gone down], that was plain to see. We had won two games in 23, scored seven goals, 14 points. It was horrific and I was part of it, it was terrible.

“But then we have been a collective since and we have grown, we have added good personnel, League 2 know-how, good players, added physicality and goals, and it has culminated in us beating league champions-elect [Leyton Orient] 2-0.

• "A great way to stay in the division"

“[Since New Year] we have had the feel-good factor of new ownership, the influx of new players, some leaving, some coming in, and me finding formulas at the right time to get us over the line.

“Leading up to Christmas when I had some dialogue and spent time with Brad and Shannon [Galinson] and spoke to them a lot, I was confident we would [survive]. What I didn’t cater for was the disastrous Christmas and New Year period we had where we just didn’t respond and I was thinking, ‘unless we get [new] players, I can’t galvanise us anymore, I can’t drag us any further, I can’t drag myself any further’.

“We then beat Hartlepool at home and it was a breath of fresh air, we were excellent on the day, far better than Hartlepool.

“It gave me hope straight away that we could build momentum, we signed good players, we have got good players in the building. What we can achieve over transfer windows moving forwards [says] we are going to be strong but we had to stay up.

• Gills stroll to the final whistle in midweek match

“Every passing game that has gone by that belief has grown stronger all the time and time on the training pitch with the players has got better and better.

“I thought it might go right to the wire. We are where we are because of the performances of the players, the mindset and mentality of the group and my staff have to take a lot of credit. Sometimes the work the staff do goes under the radar, the fact me and (assistant manager) Livers watch so much football, we don’t sleep too much! We talk a lot.

“It is a moment of reflection for everyone. Supporters to be joyous that we have got league status, my staff to be proud of what they have achieved since the New Year and the work they have put in, and the players for their performances.

“We can enjoy this moment, we have come a long way in a short space of time, but my natural instinct is to use the words, ‘this is the start’. It’s a big summer and next year we want to be in that position (of promoted Leyton Orient).

“I have enjoyed the lads’ training standards, I have enjoyed their company, and for me this is a monumental step in this club moving forward but we have not finished yet.

“We have a couple of weeks to go, three games where we want to finish strongly, but then it is all about the summer transfer window, all about the players moving on and those coming in have got to be better than what we have had this year to add to the group.

“I can now calm down a little bit, certainly sleep, it has been a tough season at times, brilliant moments at others, so much positivity moving forward. I have really enjoyed working with Kenny (Jackett) and Hessy (Andy Hessenthaler), we make a great trio I think.

“We have a lot of work to do in the transfer window and we have to get some deals over the line now.”