Ainsworth: Gills in for some rock and goals!

GARETH AINSWORTH has long been at peace with his shock departure from Shrewsbury.

- EXCLUSIVE BY RYAN TAYLOR

And now he is ready to rock Gillingham’s world.

The ‘Wild Thing’ - lead vocalist of The Cold Blooded Hearts - requires no introduction in EFL managerial circles.

During more than 10 years at Wycombe Wanderers, his heavy-metal football yielded exceptional results, propelling Wanderers from the fourth tier into the Championship.

And, following two short-lived spells in west London - with QPR - and Shropshire, he wants to run it back.

Ahead of next week's League Two opening match at Accrington Stanley, Ainsworth said: “I just want my players to feel like they belong to something. When we look at football, we're in a privileged position compared to other walks of life.

“Gillingham’s identify was getting a little bit muddled up with the different changes of personnel, both players and managers.

“We want to bring that identity back, this summer has been a big mental shift of the whole place.”