The 32-year-old, who is excited about the future after putting pen to paper on a two year deal, is looking forward to cementing his place at the heart of Gillingham’s defence.
He is particularly relishing today’s battle with Burnley as they are the club which let him go on a free transfer in the summer.
“I wasn’t offered a new deal,” he admitted. “That was the bottom end of it – I was released in the summer and it was a case of finding somewhere else.
“I think you are always going to be a little bit disappointed. At the time I was wondering whether I was going to be made a new offer.
“That didn’t happen so I was disappointed but I always say when one door shuts another one tends to open.
“My time at Burnley though was very, very good. I had three and a half years there and it was superb.
“During my first season we won promotion and then for the next two seasons we just missed out on the play-offs. The nearest we came was finishing seventh missing out on sixth spot by just one goal.
“Last season wasn’t the best for myself or Burnley. For me it was very stop start, I had a few injuries and suspensions and the team just didn’t do well even though the potential was there.”
He added: “The opportunity came along with the Gills and I couldn’t afford to turn it down, both on a professional level and on a personal front moving down south.
“As soon as I knew Gillingham were interested I wanted to hurry up and get down here to get it sorted out.
“I knew the club was still in Division One and heading in the right direction. I had played against them over the past few seasons and noticed how much the ground had developed. It was a real attraction.
“I have been very, very impressed with the place and have been quite taken back by the set up here.
“Everything happened so quickly but it was nice to have everything done and dusted.”
Cox, who refuses to blow his own trumpet about his best attributes, is delighted with the way things have turned out for him so far with Gillingham.
“I don’t think I have settled in too bad,” he said. “Everyone has been very welcoming so it has been easy to settle down especially with the help of the manager and the boys.
“It was perhaps easier than it might have been if I’d gone somewhere else and that’s testament to the boys.”
He made his debut on the opening day of the season at highly rated Sheffield United and was instrumental as the Gills gained a point at Bramall Lane.
He said: “I don’t think it went too bad. The conditions were hard to play in and Sheffield United are a team fancied to be up there at the end of the season.
“To come away with a 0-0 draw was a good achievement and in better circumstances, with the help of lady luck, we could have won the game.
“Still a point was a fair result and we were pleased, especially bearing in mind our injury situation.”
Next up came the Carling Cup where Gillingham managed to overcome Third Division side Cambridge United 2-1 despite having Tommy Johnson sent off.
“It was a good win,” said Cox. “We didn’t play particularly well and it was a bit of a lacklustre performance.
“But we got through and into the hat for the next round. They played well as a team, we didn’t play well but scraped through so that was pleasing.”
Cox then had the moment he had been waiting for – making his Priestfield bow against Derby County.
He said: “I was really looking forward to making my home debut. With a little bit more luck we could and should have won the game especially after our first half performance.
“In the second half the teams cancelled each other out and it could have gone either way.”
Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler has been so impressed with Cox’s performances so far. None more so than at Sheffield United where the gaffer praised him for his effective laid back attitude.
“It’s to do with my personality,” said Cox. “I’m told I’m quite laid back and it is something I’m trying to address. It has its pluses as well as a negative side and that’s all to do with my persona.
“It can give people the wrong impression though and as I say it does have its strengths and weaknesses.”
Cox has always been a difficult opponent when he’s faced the Gills whilst playing for Bournemouth and then Burnley – and he’s often been singled out for special praise.
“I have had a few encounters over the years against the Gills,” he said, “and the ground has progressed a hell of a lot.
“A couple of games stick out for me. For Bournemouth there was the 2-1 defeat when we missed out on the play-offs – Kevin Lisbie scored in the last minute.
“Then for Burnley Ian Wright scored in the last minute to make it 2-2 and then Gillingham won 3-0 at Turf Moor.
“It is very flattering for the manager to say that I have always played well against Gillingham.
“I just try to do my best, get on with the game and enjoy it at the same time. That’s how I like to conduct myself in the games.”
Now Cox is searching for a home in the south, but he admits his wife needed to be persuaded to make the move.
“She has had mixed emotions really,” he said, “but we have sat down and spoken about the situation over the last year.
“When ITV Digital collapsed we knew that there could be problems but we said whatever’s meant to be will be.
“You can’t predict where you are going to end up or go but as soon as I heard Gillingham were interested I had to go for it.”
He is ready for the challenges ahead and said he’s really looking forward to breaking through barriers with the Gills.
He said: “There is a hard season ahead of us and hard work ahead of me personally, but it’s a prospect I’m relishing and a prospect I’m really looking forward to.”
He added: “I am forever the optimist and I believe you can achieve anything if you work hard and put your mind to it.
“We want to get to that 50-point safety mark first, but I don’t think the play-offs are out of the question. I don’t want to say too much on that though in case it’s the kiss of death.
“It is a strong league but in the same vein we have some good players. If we can keep away from injuries we could be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.
“It would be nice if all our hard work gets rewarded. I want to play in as many games as possible, steer clear of injuries and get the Gills as far up in the table as possible.”
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