09Jul

Gills put their faith in Martin Allen

by Gary W

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No sooner had my last piece been sent then Martin Allen was finally confirmed as the new Gills boss, signing a two-year deal! Typical really, we waited for weeks and when I posted having not wanted to wait any longer then it happens. It remains to be seen as to how he will fair given that his most recent tasks have been in rescuing beleaguered clubs and this poses a much different prospect for him. His fiery nature is also one that is potentially a cause for explosive confrontations due to Hessenthaler as director of football and Mr Scally both not being the most temperate of men themselves!

Whoever the man in charge I will always be behind him 100%. However, I cannot help thinking that maybe other options might have been more suitable. Scally stated he wanted fresh ideas and a new direction; it is hard to see how the former Barnet manager fits that criteria. For some, his less than reliable tendency to walk out on those currently paying his wages is well documented and poses a risk. But I would imagine this would have been covered fully within the terms of his contract and should not be worth pondering.

For me last season had too many instances of embarrassment: Twice being in the news for refusing to pay the policing costs with threats of those games being played behind closed doors; Mr Scally joking on Sky News about burying the hatchet with Tony Pulis “in his head”; the row with the council over the Peel Groups plans for a leisure complex by the docks ahead of any for a new multipurpose stadium (and subsequently the issue with the training ground debt); the racial discrimination employment tribunal; and now the employment of “Mad Dog” Martin Allen!

The club is lucky to possess some of League Two’s best players, in my opinion, some worthy of that tag in League One also. Gazzaniga will be playing Premier League football very soon, of that the majority of all Gills fans agree. Whelpdale was nothing short of superb in the latter half of the season and a whole season at his best would really galvanise a promotion push. And then there is the youngsters, most notably Connor Essam who signed a new contract with the club a couple of weeks ago who also is capable of a much higher league now as his experience grows.

It is time for the nonsense that sometimes besieges the club to be cast aside and for the players to embrace the headlines instead and put a much more positive tone to the name of Gillingham Football Club. An excited Adam Birchall back after more than 12 months out, along with scintillating displays from those mentioned earlier would do just that and end with the most positive news of all – that of promotion back to League One!

Posted by Gillingham fan Gary Wade

Follow Gary on Twitter at @Gills_Stats