Gillingham's axed manager Steve Lovell believed the season to have been a productive one, writing his final programme notes of the season.

Lovell was sacked on Friday by the Gills with the club sitting 13th in the table.

He had taken over back in October 2017, sitting second bottom.

His last game in charge was a 1-1 draw at Bradford on Easter Monday and in his notes on Saturday, he said: “We had to settle for a point at Bradford which all but secures our place in League 1 for next season.

Admittedly we would like to be further up the table but earlier in the season we suffered our fair share of injuries and have relied on our younger squad members to make up the numbers, and we have had to change the side on several occasions, often when we didn’t really want to.

“Despite that, we have done extremely well to be safe from relegation with two games to go. In my view we have had a productive season with plenty of positives to build on for 2019/20.”

Lovell’s home record wasn’t great, but largely the fans have stuck with him and his team.

They came in for praise too, with Lovell saying those supporters had been “excellent from the first whistle to the last,” and that he was grateful for the support.

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He was already planning for next season, with two games to go, but was relieved of his duties following a meeting with chairman Paul Scally.

A subsequent statement from the club has been released, saying: “For the purpose of clarification the club would like to confirm that the timing of Steve Lovell’s departure was not of its choosing.

“Steve will always be highly regarded and very welcome here at the Club, along with all other Gills legends.

“We wish him every success in the future.”

Mark Patterson has been put in charge for the remaining two games, along with fellow coach Ian Cox.