Gillingham manager Neil Harris has urged the fans who have been back to Priestfield in recent weeks to keep on coming.

Cheap tickets last weekend ensured Priestfield was packed to capacity for the win over Crawley Town but prior to that there were an extra 1,000 home fans through the gates for the game against Hartlepool United as Harris got to unleash some of his new signings.

Big crowds have also followed the team away in recent games at Colchester (1,203 away supporters) and Swindon (961). Hundreds will be on the road to see the Gills play at Mansfield Town this Saturday.

Gillingham are certainly back in favour with fans who had fallen out of love with the club.

“We want as many people here every home game,” said Harris. “We want to build that affection for the club again that’s stayed with a hardcore of fans who have stayed loyal and supportive through the difficult times.

“As a custodian of the club, I can only thank them, but for those who have stayed away or been away because they have fallen out of love a bit with it, they might have come back in the last few weeks, please, just keep coming.

“It is a football club on the rise, on the up, I would like people to be part of it now and to see us over the next six months, 18 months, two-and-a-half years, five years, whatever. I would like people to be part of that journey from the start, come again next week, it’s Valentine’s Day, bring your wife, bring your family!”

The Gills host Grimsby Town at Priestfield on Tuesday night.

Since being given a competitive budget by the new owners, Harris and his backroom team have been busy. New signings have helped turn things around. The Gills have won three of their last four games and are on track to move clear of the League 2 drop zone.

Just a few months ago the talk among a dwindling and despairing fanbase was of Gillingham dropping into non-league.

“The fans see potential, love,” said Harris. “I used the word custodian for myself and even for Paul (Scally), he has been a custodian for 27 years, Brad and Shannon now and there are the players, but the fans will always be loyal, it is their football club.

“Everyone needs hope, everyone needs a dream, Brad and Shannon have provided us with that dream.

"It has been a difficult period and everyone sees hope for the future, and enjoyment, love, they love their club, they want to see their club being successful and we are at the start of that run now, let’s make the most of it.”