#supporters

At The Start Of The Season, For The First Supporters Blog Of The 2025 / 2026 Season, I Asked Gillingham Supporters for there thoughts and opinions on Gillingham’s Summer Signings, Where Gillingham Needed To Strengthen The Squad In The Summer Transfer Window, And The Score Prediction For Accrington Stanley V Gillingham For The Opening League Game Of The Season.

For The Second Supporters Blog, I asked Gillingham Supporters for there thoughts and opinions regarding the twenty one league match unbeaten run, Gillingham’s best performance and best result of the season, and the appalling refereeing performance from Zac Kennard-Kettle for Gillingham’s 1-0 away defeat against Grimsby Town, where Remeao Hutton and Jonny Williams were both sent off that day.

And For The Third Supporters Blog, I asked Gillingham Supporters for there thoughts and opinions regarding a salary cap in English Football, Why have Gillingham started the last three season’s in fantastic form, only for Gillingham to drop lower and lower down The League Two Table, and expanding the playoffs from four teams to six teams, and if that is a good idea, and the links to these three Gillingham Supporters Blogs Are Here…..

GILLINGHAM SUPPORTERS BLOG - ONE - https://fan-of-mulligan.tumblr.com/post/790718105446989824/fom-blog-gillingham-supporters-blog-season-2025

GILLINGHAM SUPPORTERS BLOG - TWO - https://fan-of-mulligan.tumblr.com/post/799602682254999552/fom-blog-gillingham-supporters-blog-season-2025

GILLINGHAM SUPPORTERS BLOG - THREE - https://fan-of-mulligan.tumblr.com/post/811020322679717888/fom-blog-gillingham-supporters-blog-season-2025

And Answering these questions are the following Gillingham Supporters,,,,, Justin, Stefan, Josh, Dan, Mark, Dover-Gills, Cian, Lewis, Rob, and Brian - I want to thank everyone who has participated in the latest Gillingham Supporters Blog, as well as thank those who participated in Previous Gillingham Supporters Blogs not just for this season, but have also participated in Gillingham Supporters Blogs in season’s gone by, It is because of the involvement of everyone who has participated in the previous blogs which have made these blogs so successful, so once again, thank you, Now on to the questions and answers……..

1. ON SUNDAY MAY 3RD, GILLINGHAM ANNOUNCED OUR RELEASE / RETAIN LIST AT THE END OF THE 2025 / 2026 SEASON, AND GILLINGHAM HAD RELEASED THE FOLLOWING PLAYERS…… TRAVIS AKOMEAH (RETURNS TO WATFORD), JOSH ANDREWS, HARRY BRIDLE, LENNI CIRINO, MAX CLARK, CONOR MASTERSON, ELLIOTT NEVITT, SHADRACH OGIE, AARON ROWE, STAN SKIPPER, JAKE TURNER, EUAN WILLIAMS, JONNY WILLIAMS AND MARCUS WYLLIE, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ON THE PLAYERS RELEASED BY GILLINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB ??? - ARE THERE ANY PLAYERS MENTIONED HERE WHO YOU THINK GILLINGHAM SHOULD HAVE KEPT FOR THE 2026 / 2027 SEASON ???

Justin - I was in full agreement with all of the departures. If anything, I'd have added Armani Little to the list as well. I really like his energy and his work rate, but I feel consistency has always been an issue with him, and he's been part of the same pattern we've seen for the past few seasons — a decent start to the campaign that completely falls apart from October onwards. If Brad Galinson is serious about a complete overhaul, then it needs to be exactly that.

Stefan - Maybe Glenn Morris as number 2 keeper. I think Cirino may have made a decent left winger as he looked better going forward. The rest I'd say were the right choice. Although Masterson would have been a must keep if he wasn't injury prone.

Josh - Before the end of the season I called most of them decisions but I would of kept Lenni Cirino and Shadrach Ogie, they wasn't given a chance properly. When I saw Cirino make his debut, I thought he was really good and someone we needed but management thought differently. Jonny Williams should of stayed he was good when he played well. I don't know why Gillingham do this we see a striker who are a few divisions below us scoring goals for their club like Marcus Wyllie and Adam Birchall trying to find our Jamie Vardy and then they flop and their careers go down the pan. Non League to League Two is a major step up.

Dan - I think we needed a clear out and to get rid of some players plus players who could be on a good wage so I would agree with all the players released. I think Josh Andrews could come good but we know players read social media and he knew that he was never going to turn the Gillingham fans opinions around. 

Mark - Not really, the squad has under delivered for a a few years now so wholesale changes was the only way forward. A fit Masterson in asset so I may have offered a low basic but high playing bonus to him. 

Dover-Gills - The first team squad needed a complete clear-out in the summer, Gillingham have finished in seventeenth position in League Two for the past two season’s, If we want to see Gillingham challenging towards the playoff position’s in League Two for the 2026 / 2027 season, then it is pointless keeping players at the football club who have lead Gillingham to bottom third league position’s in League Two. The only player on this released list I would have considered keeping is Conor Masterson, but only on lower wages. Because of the number of injuries Conor Masterson has had over the past two season’s.

Cian - I don't think any of these players can be angry about being released, there are arguments to be made as to why releasing all of the above was the correct move. If Masterson did not have the struggles he's had with injuries I think maybe keeping him would be a good choice. That being said we really need to limit the amount of players with injury concerns. 

Lewis - I’ve been quite big on the thought Lenni Cirino should have been kept on as a second choice left back and reserve wide player. Would have been cheap and helps he’s versatile in a small squad.

Rob - No real surprises for me. I might have been tempted to keep Masterson, as he's a good player on his day, but is unfortunately injured too often.

Brian - I quite liked Cirino, would like to have seen him play more and keep him on.

Ogie was (IMO) a great player. He was like a machine that would plough through and get the job done.

I thought Jake did ok to be fair, took the reins when Glenn was out and did well but I think the overall team performance put him under too much pressure.

2. ANOTHER PLAYER ON THE RELEASE LIST WHO’S DEPARTURE FROM THE FOOTBALL CLUB WAS ANNOUNCED BEFORE GILLINGHAM’S 1-0 HOME WIN AGAINST SHREWSBURY TOWN IS GOALKEEPER GLENN MORRIS, DO YOU THINK GLENN MORRIS LEAVING GILLINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB WAS THE RIGHT DECISION ??? - OR, DO YOU THINK GLENN MORRIS COULD HAVE STAYED AT GILLINGHAM NEXT SEASON ??? - ALSO, WHERE DOES GLENN MORRIS RANK IN YOUR LIST OF GILLINGHAM GOALKEEPERS ???

Justin - I really like Glenn and I think he has been a fantastic servant to the club. He always comes across as a genuinely lovely guy as well. That said, I do think the time is right for him to move on from the number one spot. However, I would have loved to have seen him stay in a number two or player-coach role, because I still think he has a lot to offer the younger keepers at the club, and I think his presence around the dressing room would do wonders for morale behind the scenes. As for where Glenn ranks in my list of Gillingham goalkeepers, I can only speak from my own experience as a fan since the late 80s and early 90s, but for me he sits comfortably in my top six alongside Jim Stannard, Vince Bartram, Jason Brown, Simon Royce and Stuart Nelson. Some fantastic keepers have worn the gloves for Gillingham over the years, and Glenn is right up there with the best of them.

Stefan - As I said previously, Glenn Morris would have been great to keep at the club as a number 2 goalkeeper. He's up there as one of our best. Not the best but one of.

Josh - I feel like Glenn should of stayed with the club in a goalkeeper coach, community ambassador sort of role because he did a lot for the community and on behalf of the club. I think Glenn is underrated and he'd be around about 8 in my top ten goalkeepers who have played in the gills shirt. 

Dan - I think at his age that Morris had to go as it’s got harder for him playing at league level but he has got a good move and I would say the same wage at Dorking so it’s good for him as well. 

My favourite goalkeepers is Steve Banks, I would buy Morris in the top seven goalkeepers since I have been watching Gills. But some stiff competition with Stannard, Barrett and Banks to name a few. 

Mark - All good things come to an end. Age will catch up with him and we needed to get someone new in that area. Glenn’s record is up there with the best keepers we've had. 

Dover-Gills - I would have liked to have seen Glenn Morris stay at Gillingham Football Club as back up goalkeeper, Gillingham have signed Ollie Wright on A Season Long Loan, And The Southampton Goalkeeper, along with Taite Holtam and our other younger goalkeeper’s would have learned a lot training with Glenn Morris on the training ground, and his experience would have proved to be very important.

With the announcement made before the match Glenn Morris was leaving Gillingham Football Club, at least we as Gillingham Supporters could say goodbye to Glenn Morris, just seemed written in the stars that Glenn Morris would keep a clean sheet in his final appearance for The Gills.

Cian - Glenn for me has been an amazing professional and more importantly goalkeeper during his time with us. In terms of recent rankings I definitely think he’s in the top echelons, maybe only pipped by Nels due to his champion status. 

Lewis - He could certainly have stayed, but probably not as first choice. And sometimes it’s better to leave when you’re on a high, so to speak. So probably the right time.

Rob - Morris was a good keeper, but age has unfortunately crept up on him. We now have the opportunity to massively improve in the goalkeeping department. He's been a good servant to the club, but doesn't get into the top 5 of all time keepers.

Brian - I liked Glenn. I thought he was a cracking goalie but it was time for Glenn. He must’ve been fed up with all the questions from people when out with his family when in the area. As much as I like the guy, I do think we need new and young blood in the squad (No disrespect meant to Glenn)

I would put him high on my list but have to say that Jim Stannard would be at the top.

3. NOW FOUR PLAYERS WHO HAVE TRIGGERED CONTRACT EXTENSIONS TO STAY AT GILLINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB FOR THE 2026 / 2027 SEASON ARE ARMANI LITTLE, BRADLEY DACK, GARATH MCCLEARY AND DAMIEN THEODORE, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ON ALL FOUR PLAYERS BEING OFFERED EXTENDED CONTRACTS ???

Justin - I touched on Armani Little in my previous answer, but to summarise, whilst I appreciate his energy and work rate, I feel consistency has always been an issue and I would personally have moved him on. That said, the decision has been made and I hope he proves me wrong. Bradley Dack and Garath McCleary are both easy decisions for me. Dack is a player I think can still cut it in the league above, let alone League Two, but I feel we need to keep the ball on the floor more if we are going to see him truly thrive. McCleary really started to look like a genuine threat towards the back end of last season and if we can keep him fit, I think he could have a really big impact in terms of goals and assists. A very good player when he is at it. As for Damien Theodore, I'll be honest and say I would need to see more of him before forming a strong opinion, but given his age I assume he is very much one for the future, so him renewing was absolutely fine by me.

Stefan - I'd say they were good choices to extend. I think Little would be better if he had the right partner in midfield that allowed him to play to his strengths. I think he has at times struggled trying to do too much because the right player hasn't been next to him.

Josh - Armani Little he's not a bad player he puts his body on the line for the club.

Bradley Dack is getting back to the player he was before he went to Blackburn Rovers and hopefully he gets better and better and stays at the club for the rest of his career. To be honest he should be the permanent captain and when we thought Ainsworth was getting the boot, I would of given him the interim job as you can see he's passionate about the club. 

Gareth McCleary, he's not a bad player and still got it for a senior player and still got the legs and skills and preferred him over Sam Vokes, who couldn't shoot a beach ball at a barn door. 

Damien Theodore is not a bad player and I think we should use the youth more and imbed them in to our long term plans. 

Dan - For me I would of only triggered two of the contracts being Dack as he can still change a game in thirty seconds, and Theodore as he young so should be given another year to work hard and make it. 

The other two, Little has never impressed me and isn’t a disciplined captain plus has never looked happy at the club. 

McCleary is in my opinion too old now and on a good wage that could be taken up by a better player, like Morris, I no longer think he is a league player. 

Mark - I not a fan of Little, runs around a lot but not sure much comes from it, we need a better captain. Dack and McCleary have quality that others do not, we know they can't play 90 every game but they were both worth keeping. Theodore one for the future. 

Dover-Gills - Armani Litte - I wouldn’t have kept Armani Little at the football club, if Gillingham want to make massive and drastic changes to the squad and be promotion contenders for the 2026 / 2027 season, then midfield is one of those position’s which needed improvement this summer, because with Armani Little signing a new contract, Gillingham have basically got the same central midfielder options in Robbie McKenzie, Armani Little, Nelson Khumbeni and Ethan Coleman at the football club, and unless we see one or two player departures in midfield, then the midfield will remain unchanged for yet another season. 

Bradley Dack - The one player who I would have done everything possible to keep at Gills, seven goals in forty two appearances doesn’t sound that all impressive, but Bradley Dack was Gillingham’s top goal-scorer, and just the way Bradley Dack spoke in interviews, he looked hurt, he looked frustrated and genuinely cared for the football club, and I would make Bradley Dack captain, give Dack the armband, and Armani Little can then concentrate on performances on the pitch.

Garath McCleary - Ended the season with some impressive goals against Accrington Stanley and the stoppage time winning goal against Shrewsbury Town, his experience and leadership qualities will prove to be valuable for next season, given the fact that League One Clubs were very keen on signing Garath McCleary before his move to Gillingham, this shows that Gillingham have got a quality player in Garath McCleary.

Damien Theodore - I have never seen Damien Theodore play for Gillingham, but he will likely get opportunities to play for the first team in pre-season, if he performs well, he could force his way into the first team now, or, gets the opportunity to experience playing first team football by going out on loan.

Cian - Im really happy Dacky is staying at the club - for me he was our best player last campaign and has kept improving during this stint with us. In regards to Little it all depends what form he's in - on paper an understandable extension. Questions may be asked regarding the captaincy but for me he needs to be a lot more consistent this season.

Garath was in some good form towards the end of the season - I hope age doesn't catch up to him as thats my only concern. Theodore is much of a nothing extension for me - hopefully he progresses but very low risk. 

Lewis - I’m happy with the last three, not happy with Little. Don’t think he’s a good enough player or captain for what we want to achieve.

Rob - Little is perhaps the only contentious one there, as I think we need to improve in midfield and that was an opportunity to do so. Dack was our best player last year and McCleary is clearly a quality player who is defying his age.

Brian - I’m glad they are staying. Bradley is one of my favourite players and McCleary is a close 2nd. Both really do put in hard work and are a force on the field.

4. RICHARD DOBSON HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AT GILLINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ON RICHARD DOBSON MOVING FROM HIS ROLE AS ASSISTANT MANAGER INTO HIS NEW ROLE IN THE RECRUITMENT DEPARTMENT AT GILLINGHAM ???

Justin - For me this appointment proves that the Galinsons are not happy with the recruitment at the club, and if I was Andy Hessenthaler sitting in the head of recruitment role, I would be taking a long hard look in the mirror and asking whether the job is really for me. Now I love Andy, and I have some amazing memories of him as a player and manager, but I genuinely feel that his legend status is giving him a degree of protection that perhaps masks some really poor recruitment decisions. I know there is always an element of gambling when it comes to signing players, and not every one is going to work out, but I am struggling to think of many signings that have been genuinely successful since he took on that role. If Dobbo is moving upstairs into a technical director position, then in my opinion Andy should have gone at the same time. A complete overhaul has to mean the backroom staff as well, not just the playing squad.

Stefan - It's an interesting decision. Dobbo has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the game. He also knows better than anyone the kinds of players Gareth Ainsworth likes and needs, so for his former right hand man to be in the thick of these operations may be a great decision, we will see.

Josh - I hope he does a good job, get us some good players for a decent price and help us get out of League Two. 

Dan - I think it’s a good move as he knows Ainsworth really well and knows the players he likes plus the skill personal and lifestyle of the players Ainsworth has signed before or like when Gareth was recovering he being made the scapegoat for Ainsworth. 

Mark - Not really sure what to make of it to be honest. Having a new assistant to Ainsworth is more interesting, lets see what he brings to the party. 

Dover-Gills - We needed change in the recruitment department and Richard Dobson’s Appointment As Technical Director is the start of that change that Gillingham need. What this appointment does do is align The Recruitment Department with the manager, because Richard Dobson has worked alongside Gareth Ainsworth for so long, that Richard Dobson is going to know exactly the type of players that Gareth Ainsworth is looking to sign.

Cian - I hope its a move that goes well and in which he can thrive - he is a knowledgeable figure within the game and hopefully his assistance and oversight in that area will be positive. However for me it raises long term questions regarding if GA was to depart at a point this season - with him and RD having such a long working history its not ridiculous to suggest Dobson may follow AInsworth to his next club, however I doubt he will. 

Lewis - Neither here nor there on Dobbo specifically. We’ll see how he gets on. But I like that someone has been employed to take on the role because we needed a replacement for Kenny.

Rob - It's an interesting one and I think it's pretty unusual for an assistant to basically jump above the manager. But from the description of what he had been doing at previous clubs, it makes a lot of sense and would appear to have the skills required. We also know he can work with the existing staff in the footballing department.

Brian - Richard has years of experience so hopefully this can bring some new changes in the club. We are in need of some changes THAT’S for sure, so hopefully Richards new position will help with that. He knows the game and the business well so I think this will be a good more for him and the club.

5. AND WITH RICHARD DOBSON MOVING INTO THE NEW ROLE AS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, GILLINGHAM NEEDED TO BRING IN SOMEONE ELSE TO BE ASSISTANT MANAGER, AND STEPHEN CRAIG HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS OUR NEW ASSISTANT MANAGER, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS REGARDING STEPHEN CRAIG’S APPOINTMENT AS ASSISTANT MANAGER AT GILLINGHAM ???

Justin - I'll be honest, this one worries me. I understand that he has worked with Ainsworth before and there is an existing relationship there, but I really struggle to look past the fact that he is coming from a virtually non-league side in Scotland straight into League Two football. For me that feels like too big a jump. That said, I said I hoped to be proved wrong about Armani Little, and I will say the same here — I genuinely hope Stephen Craig comes in and surprises us all.

Stefan - Another interesting choice. I think maybe someone knew beside Gareth Ainsworth could be the refresh and new ideas that may help and benefit us in the long run.

Josh - I've never heard of Stephen Craig until he was given the assistant manager role, but all honesty i thought when Sam Vokes retired he would of got the job as his close relationship with Ainsworth.

Dan - I think you have to give him a chance, no one knows much about him and he could be an outstanding plus a great technical coach with a new outlook on things with good ideas. Just because he hasn’t been a top ass manager at a club doesn’t make him a bad coach. 

Mark - Happy to reserve judgement and see what he contributes. We did need to do something as Ainsworth could have no complaints if he's been sacked. I think its only that we've had too many sackings recently that saved him. 

Dover-Gills - I admit that I know very little about Stephen Craig, I wait and see on what Stephen Craig can do as Gillingham’s New Assistant Manager.

Cian - In honesty I don't have much to say on the matter, I think it's a positive that he has a previous relationship with Ainsworth, I really hope the pair of them can work well together and have a positive season at Gillingham.  

Lewis - It’s quite a step up for him but some fresh ideas and a fresh face could work well. Fingers crossed it does.

Rob - I can't say I know anything about him and he doesn't appear to have a particularly extensive CV, but we all have to start somewhere I suppose

Brian - Craig has some decent experience and having a fresh new face as Assistant Coach may help us out of a rut. He has travelled a very long way to do this so his heart must definitely be in it, so this must be a positive too! He knows what challenges he faces and having worked with Gareth before, I think they could make a good team.

6. GILLINGHAM CHAIRMAN BRAD GALINSON SPOKE ABOUT - A COMPLETE REHAUL - AT GILLINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB THIS SUMMER, WHAT CHANGES DO YOU THINK A COMPLETE REHAUL MEANS WHEN YOU HEAR THAT PHRASE MENTIONED ???

Justin - A complete overhaul to me means exactly what it says on the tin — everything. The playing squad, the recruitment setup, the backroom staff and the coaching staff. You cannot cherry pick which parts of the club you rebuild and call it a complete overhaul. That is why I have been so vocal about Andy Hessenthaler's position, and it is why the appointment of Stephen Craig raises questions for me too. As far as I am aware, none of the existing coaches have left the club this summer, and if that is the case then I struggle to see how what we are doing truly qualifies as a complete overhaul. Brad Galinson has used some very bold language, and I think as supporters we have every right to hold him to it. Change the squad by all means, but if the same coaches are putting out the same training sessions and preparing the team in the same way, do not be surprised if we end up with the same results. A complete overhaul has to mean the whole club, from top to bottom.

Stefan - Personally I think more than just the playing squad needs a rehaul. I personally do not think Joe Comper is the right person to be in the role he is in. I would appoint someone with extensive knowledge and experience in the game from a non-player perspective to better help advise Brad and Shannon.

Josh - Why do we need a fan zone when we can't fill up the stadium? We should of used the money for that on building a proper stand for Brian Moore as that has been rated the worst stand in English football, and for someone who was fundamental in the football club being on the board.  We need to sort out fan experience, fill the seats up we can't at the moment and then think about moving. 

Dan - The team being changed, the behind the screens being updated. New ideas and resetting things also to make him and the club more money plus new ideas from other people. 

Mark - I'd say we aren't going to do it. A complete overhaul would be to change the management, off field leadership and most of the squad. We aren't doing that. 

Dover-Gills - Whilst I am pleased that there has been huge changes to the first team squad with sixteen first team players being released, it isn’t just the first team squad that needed change, with the number of injuries Gillingham picked up throughout the 2025 / 2026 season, The Medical And Sports Science side of things really needed to be looked at with a lot of detail. I would have liked to have seen Gillingham make staffing appointments in the medical and sports science side of things at the football club, and if those appointments meant that Gillingham missed out on one player signing for the first team, but those staff appointments improved Gillingham’s injury record for The 2026 / 2027 Season. I would accept not signing a player, if it meant bringing in the staff needed to address our injury concern’s.

Cian - For me significant changes in reference to the playing squad, coaching team and culture in recruitment would all be aspects of a rehaul. I think we have touched on these bases but maybe not to the extent that some people would've hoped. 

Lewis - My first thoughts were the squad. Releasing that many players was good, but we’ll see how the replacements get on.

Rob - Well I think the football department is being restructured with Dobbo leading it. We've also had a number of players leave and the new ones that come in will need to fit a certain technical and personality profile

Brian - I think there were certain players that were probably not giving the club quite what they should’ve been giving the club. We saw many time Gareth allude to certain individuals. I think Brad obviously knew these needed to be dealt with and a reshuffle elsewhere was needed with fresh faces and ideas to help pull the Gills out of this hole we seem to be in.

7. ONE THING WHICH WAS VERY CONCERNING THROUGHOUT THE 2025 / 2026 SEASON WAS THE NUMBER OF MEDIUM TO LONGER TERM INJURIES GILLINGHAM PICKED UP ALL THE WAY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON, HOW DO GILLINGHAM MAKE SURE THAT OUR PLAYERS SPEND MORE TIME ON THE PITCH AND LESS TIME ON THE TREATMENT TABLE FOR THE 2026 / 2027 SEASON ???

Justin - It really did feel like a running theme throughout the entire season, and it is something that has to be addressed. Going back to what I said about the backroom staff, it makes me question whether the medical and sports science team also needs looking at as part of any overhaul. Are players being passed fit and returned to training or matches before they are genuinely ready? I honestly do not know the answer to that, but something clearly seems amiss when you are losing players to medium and longer term injuries as regularly as we did last season. It is yet another area where I think the club needs to ask some serious questions of itself this summer.

Stefan - It's an issue that had plagued us for too long. Almost two things have been certain for The Gills the last few years or so are: start the season flying. Get to October for it all to start going wrong and to have loads of injuries throughout the season. I have no idea why it keeps happening but it needs to stop.

Josh - I'm not physiotherapist or football doctor, but I feel like investing in to some advanced medical equipment and have a sports scientist on board to look in to this sort of thing. 

Dan - We need to improve where we train or do a total overhaul of the training ground and upgrade it, plus maybe being asked to play while injured or injuries not be properly diagnosed we could look at medical and science team over haul as well. 

Mark - Luck plays a part and I suspect every club suffers similarly with injuries.  If we have the best training facilities and the best medical staff we can afford then not sure there is much else we can do. 

Dover-Gills - Gillingham need to be doing more thorough research on the players we’re looking to sign, how many matches have players played over the past two to three season’s ? - how many minute’s have players played in that time-frame ? - what is there injury record like ? - Every player gets injuries. But if Gillingham signed a player who has played over one hundred matches in three season’s with one or two minor injuries, there is less of a risk attached to signing that player, compared to Gillingham signing a player who has only played forty appearances in three season’s, and that player has had two medium to longer term injuries in that time-frame. Also, additional sports science and medical staff need to be recruited for Gillingham to address our injury concerns.

Cian - This has been something that has confused a lot of fans, myself included . Maybe there is an issue with training load or the quality of the training ground. We also have previously recruited injury prone players - something we need to move away from in order to make best use of having a smaller squad. 

Lewis - I think rotation is important but it’s seemed like there have been issues for a while. Could be a number of different things. Things will probably not change!

Rob - I strongly suspect the training ground is having an effect. It was unplayable for a chunk of the season and we trained elsewhere, including on 4G pitches, which can cause injuries and is simply not acceptable. Investment is required there, although we don't actually own the land (this may have changed under the Galinsons)

Brian - I think having younger players may help because, as we know, the older we get, the easier it is to get an injury and us older folks take longer to heal. Fielding younger players may help and ensuring they keep on top of their fitness. Also avoiding rash tackles that could end with injury. We accumulated a lot of cards last season so that must say something. Better tactics and don’t try smashing the opponents may help avoid some injuries.

8. AND WITH GILLINGHAM CHAIRMAN BRAD GALINSON TALKING ABOUT DATA ANALYSIS PLAYING A MORE CENTRAL ROLE IN PLAYER RECRUITMENT THIS SUMMER, WHAT DO YOU THINK DATA ANALYSIS MEANS FOR GILLINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB ??? - AND WHAT DO GILLINGHAM NEED TO DO TO ENSURE THAT GILLINGHAM HAVE A MUCH BETTER SEASON FOR THE 2026 / 2027 SEASON ???

Justin - Data analysis absolutely has its place in modern recruitment, BUT, and it is a big but — I feel the balance between using data and actually watching players in person needs to favour the old school approach. By all means use the data to identify a pool of potential targets, but then get people out there watching them live. You simply cannot beat it. As for what we need to do to have a better season, consistency is the obvious one, but I also think we need to see much better in-game management and more variety in how we approach matches. Too many times last season I could tell you almost to the minute when Ainsworth was going to make a substitution, and I could even tell you who it was going to be. If I can work that out sitting in the Rainham End, then I am absolutely certain the opposition dugout can too. We became too predictable, and that has to change if we are going to improve next season.

Stefan - I think too much modern football relies on data. You can have all the data in the world but it doesn't win you games and it doesn't make you successful. I also wonder if it is why we don't seem to bring in players from overseas or better younger players on loan from Premier League clubs.

Josh - Id say data analysis is a good idea and the way forward we should be doing it in to recruitment, upcoming opponents and our performance from previous games and previous times we have played that team. I feel like a number of signings who have been in league 1 and championship who cant get a game in to improve our squad. 

Dan - I think is means it shows how many matches they have played how times they were sub, fitness levels and also injury record plus their playing stats. Signing player you know all their background and stats within the last few season. I think it an ok idea, but also like the idea of old school scouting and finding a place with your eyes. 

Mark - The worlds gone data crazy in all walks of life, everything is about data now and data based decisions. The data will tell you that Jonny Williams would create and score loads in league 2, he did neither for us. In football data is one thing. How we are set up and how we play is far more relevant. 

Dover-Gills - Hopefully, Gillingham are using data analysis to look at players game-time over the past three season’s, looking at how many appearances and minute’s players have played so we build up a greater understanding of a players injury record. I think signing players with a solid number of appearances over the past few season’s, and signing players that all fit into one formation would be very sensible, rather then a scatter-gun approach to signings which has happened in previous transfer windows.

Cian - Well you would think we would have a better understanding of what the players we recruit offer, I think utilising data is a smart move and should hopefully allow us to build a higher quality squad. I think a focus on athleticism is a characteristic this data should be aimed at. 

Lewis - Recruitment is the key thing. And I think data analysis is good, the personal references are good, but it can’t be all you rely on!

Rob - Well, we need to recruit better. But the data will allow us to identify those gems easier, from which the traditional scouting and references will whittle that down to a few options for the manager to choose. People suggesting we're basing signings purely on stats clearly have no idea how a modern football club operates. Get it right and we're the next Brentford, Brighton or Bournemouth.

Brian - If it helps then why not. Not usually a massive fan of any AI type of tech as it can make mistakes and D.A. never has any gut instinct or intuition but that said, last season wasn’t great so perhaps try to make D.A. more central and it may improve things and help keep injuries down, and get the info we need to improve as a team.

9. AND WITH RICHARD DOBSON’S APPOINTED AS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, STEPHEN CRAIG APPOINTED AS ASSISTANT MANAGER, AND GILLINGHAM MAKING CHANGES TO THE FIRST TEAM SQUAD AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RELEASE / RETAIN LIST, ARE THERE OTHER CHANGES THAT YOU THINK GILLINGHAM NEED TO MAKE FOR GILLINGHAM TO IMPROVE NEXT SEASON ???

Justin - I feel like I have largely covered this across my previous answers, but to summarise — for me a complete overhaul has to mean exactly that. The playing squad, the recruitment setup, the coaching staff, the backroom staff and the medical team all need to be looked at seriously this summer. Tinkering around the edges and calling it a complete overhaul simply will not cut it. The supporters deserve better and I think Brad Galinson knows that.

Stefan - We need 2 goalkeepers, we need another left back/wingback. And someone else to challenge Hutton. We have a large number of midfielders but I worry we don't have someone solid in there to get stuck in and break up opposition play and allow Little and Dack etc to play their game and cause problems. I want to see more pace and creativity than we have seen in a long time.

Josh - I feel like we should of got in someone who's been there and done it in the championship and premiership as the assistant manager, but all I can say is giving all the luck to the new assistant manager and to the technical director, and hopefully, can make the changes needed and use last season as an important learning curve.

Dan - As said before, we need to make the medical and sports science team a lot better and also bring more nutritionists in to look at the diets. I know they have a players chef so someone who can do individual nutrition.  

Mark - I think questions have to be asked at the off field leadership as well. We've made some poor decisions, someone approved them. 

Dover-Gills - With Richard Dobson’s appointment as Technical Director, I would like to see Gillingham bring in more staff within the recruitment department, strengthen that aspect of the football club with two or three more staffing appointments specifically to strengthen the recruitment department, it’s been a reoccurring problem that Gillingham have got to fix.

If we are talking about a complete overhaul of everything, An Experienced Managing Director is a must, someone who has been successful as A Managing Director at another football club who can come into Gillingham, and help the football club make big strides forwards both on and off the pitch.

Cian - One change from previous seasons may have been a more interesting pre-season, I understand why we play the teams that we do - and at the end of the day its all focused on fitness but even playing a couple higher profile / different teams at home would've been more enjoyable then the Millwall and Charlton we have this year. 

Lewis - I wanted a change of manager towards the end of the season. I backed Ainsworth longer than most but he wasn’t helping himself after a while. He won’t have a full clean slate - and needs a good start. 

Rob - In terms of coaching staff? No, not really.

Brian - I’d like to see the passion return to the field. Last season it seemed the team had a real spark but as the season went on, it seemed more like many of them were just having a kick around, which was unfortunate because we know these guys can play so well so the overall attitude really dropped. Keeping their heads up and having more passion and grit would be good.

10. GILLINGHAM FINISHED IN SEVENTEENTH POSITION IN LEAGUE TWO, WINNING THIRTEEN, DRAWING FOURTEEN, AND LOSING NINETEEN OF OUR FORTY SIX LEAGUE GAMES, HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE 2025 / 2026 SEASON, BECAUSE SEVENTEENTH POSITION WAS NOT WHERE MANY GILLINGHAM SUPPORTERS THOUGHT GILLINGHAM WOULD FINISH LAST SEASON ???

Justin - Whatever the two year plan was that was spoken about at the start of the season, I am pretty certain finishing seventeenth was not part of it. It was a very, very poor season, and the only thing that softened the blow slightly was the good start we had. Even then, and I know we carried the unbeaten run from the 2024/25 season into 2025/26 and ended up going twenty one games unbeaten, I never actually felt confident. Even when we were sitting top of the table in September I never had that feeling of "yes, this is our season." If I am being completely honest, I felt we had the rub of the green at times and were sometimes just plain lucky to get results. The warning signs were there early, and unfortunately they proved to be right.

Stefan - It's the same poor showing. Maybe it is partly down to players not being good enough that were at the club for 2 or 3 seasons and failed under multiple managers. Many have left us to go to non-league. For me that says that is their level and that explains a lot as to why they have struggled.

Josh - We started well and then we lost steam and then injuries didn't help. 

Dan - I say it comes sixty percent to the players and them playing for themselves not the club, but forty percent down to poor management at first team level, I think we need to sweep the board in May including the management team and start a total reset.

Mark - Underwhelming..........again. 

Dover-Gills - Too many players in this squad have played for Gillingham under Neil Harris, Stephen Clemence, Mark Bonner, John Coleman and Gareth Ainsworth, and they have let all these manager’s down, they have let The Galinson’s down, and they have let Gillingham Supporters down time and again, this has been a dismal season for Gillingham Football Club, but the same players kept repeating the same problems, barring one or two exceptions, and I can only assume that the two year plan was get to the end of the 2025 / 2026 season, and get rid of as many players as possible, and just look to start again this summer for next season.

Too many heavy defeats, too many poor performances, too many players in this squad either were not good enough, or, didn’t care, and hopefully, the clear out of the first team squad can clear Gillingham of the same repetitive problems in recent season’s.

Cian - Honestly it was incredibly lacklustre and disappointing - the fans were let down repeatedly and that is why the summer changes to the playing squad was well welcomed from myself.

Lewis - I want to say predictable because we started well and fell off but I couldn’t help but believe early doors. Won’t be making that mistake again!

Rob - Pretty rubbish. It was a hard watch last season with the run of thrashings against MK and Cambridge particularly difficult to watch. Once again a season offered so much promise, only to disappoint. For a good while I was just waiting for the season to end.

Brian - Last season seemed like a damp rocket. It started well but then when it fizzled out, we didn’t seem to have any passion or fight about us. Travelling miles to watch us lose by so many goals so many times just became depressing and annoying. Fans were paying their money to watch what seemed to be a group of lads who couldn’t be bothered.

I would sum it up as Passionless and below par.

11. FOR THE PAST FEW SEASON’S, SUPPORTERS WOULD POINT TO GILLINGHAM’S INABILITY TO SCORE GOALS AS THE REASONS AS TO WHY GILLINGHAM ARE IN THE LOWER HALF OF THE TABLE, AND ALTHOUGH THE LACK OF GOALS SCORED WAS CONCERNING, GILLINGHAM WOULD STILL BE SOLID DEFENSIVELY AND HAVE A STRONG DEFENSIVE RECORD, HOWEVER, THE 2025 / 2026 SEASON SAW GILLINGHAM CONCEDE A VERY CONCERNING SEVENTY TWO GOALS, ONLY BARROW, TRANMERE ROVERS, NEWPORT COUNTY AND CHELTENHAM TOWN CONCEDED MORE LEAGUE GOALS THEN GILLINGHAM, SO HOW DO GILLINGHAM IMPROVE THAT DEFENSIVE RECORD FOR NEXT SEASON ???

Justin - For me a lot of it comes down to the way we play. Too often we are bypassing the midfield completely by lumping the ball from back to front, which then leaves the midfield chasing around trying to recover it. If we moved the ball out as a unit we would already be in a much better shape to defend as a unit should we lose possession. It is basic but it matters. I also think mindset has been a huge factor. Too many times last season you could see that the moment we conceded a goal the heads went down, almost as if the attitude became "we are not going to score so we have already lost." That is something that no amount of data analysis or recruitment can fix on its own — it has to come from within the dressing room and from the coaching staff, and it absolutely has to change if we are going to stop shipping goals the way we did last season.

Stefan - We need a regular backline. Too many defensive injuries and needing too many rotations. We haven't had a settled starting 11 for a long time. That needs to change.

Josh - I feel like with Ronan Hale coming in he could be a brilliant addition to the club he looks young, fresh and wanting to score and improve with the club. We need to tighten the defence, get a proven goalkeeper and striker. I know a 25-30 goal striker a season would cost a lot, but if we have ambition to climb up the football league, this is money we need and this is where data analysis comes in to make sure we ain’t throwing ridiculous money at donkeys.

Dan - I think we look to sell or loan out Omar as he is another player who is taking a wage when no longer at the level needed. 

I think we need to sign an Experienced Centre back aged 28-30 and also a younger centre back around 24-26 to pair them up. Look at the data and find who won duels and headers plus number of tackles. I know a local lad who would jump at the chance to move back south, I think and play for his home club he is a good centre back as well. I think left back and right back are positions we can solve a lot easier. 

Mark - More leadership at the back and a stronger CB pairing. I'm not convinced by Smith at all. We need a non sense league 2 giant back there. We don't have one.  Hutton is a lazy defender so we need to address that and Max Clark was often beaten on his side. We will have to address that as he's gone. 

Dover-Gills - Constantly changing goalkeeper’s and defence either through team selection and injury didn’t help bring any stability to our defence, Glenn Morris and Jake Turner rotated in goal, and we had Travis Akomeah, Sam Gale, Andy Smith, Shadrach Ogie, Omar Beckles, Conor Masterson and Robbie McKenzie, all at centre back either as a centre back pairing, or as a three man defence, the number of injuries Gillingham had throughout the season meant that there was no settled and consistent goalkeeper and defence which was chosen to start games for Gillingham, Another problem Gillingham had was at full back and wing back, Remeao Hutton and Max Clark are both not good enough, they get over-exposed in a back four, so, Gillingham have to line up with a back five to cover for their limitations, Midfield also was very slow and often over-ran by opposition team’s with more athletic and mobile midfielder’s, and whilst Gillingham have released sixteen first team player’s, having the same midfield this season just gone heading into next season doesn’t provide me with a lot of optimism.

Cian - For me our defensive issues have been a byproduct of our poor midfield, we struggled to match the intensity of other sides and often were outran and outworked inviting teams to attack against us and ultimately spending a majority of the season on the back foot. 

Lewis - I think at this level it’s as simple as personnel and management. A decent structure but having a settled back four will help us tonnes. I think Ollie Wright in goal will help a lot too. 

Rob - Better players! Gale and Smith needed someone experienced alongside them but Masterson was too often injured and Beckles barely featured before he was also injured. Hutton offers basically nothing defensively wise and Clark is too slow and had confidence issues after being unfairly lambasted by the fans all year. We also need to think about midfield protection, as that was often far too weak, allowing our defenders to be exposed.

Brian - Definitely strengthen the back line and get young and fresh players in. We need the guys to be fully fit and get stuck in with a “go get it” attitude. Last season, it seemed they just couldn’t be arsed. Young Ronan was all over that pitch and doing his best, but more often than not, getting nothing and the counter attacks just smashed us.

12. THIS TIME LAST YEAR, GARETH AINSWORTH ENDED THE SEASON WITH THREE WINS AND SIX DRAWS AS GILLINGHAM ENDED THE SEASON WITH A UNBEATEN RUN, AND THERE WAS OPTIMISM HEADING INTO THIS SEASON WHERE GILLINGHAM HAVE UNFORTUANTELY UNDERACHIEVED PRE-SEASON EXPECTATIONS, NOW BRAD GALINSON HAS BACKED GARETH AINSWORTH TO MAKE WHOLESALE CHANGES TO THE SQUAD FOR NEXT SEASON, BUT DO YOU THINK THAT IS THE RIGHT DECISION ??? - OR, SHOULD GILLINGHAM HAVE LOOKED INTO APPOINTING A NEW MANAGER ???

Justin - I was very much on the fence with this one. As a person I really like Gareth Ainsworth and you can see how much he cares about the club. On one hand, I think the run of results towards the back end of the season would have seen almost any other manager shown the door, but on the other hand I look at it and think are we just putting ourselves back another year by making a change now? Ultimately I think keeping him is the correct decision, but it comes with a caveat. If there is no significant improvement by November or December then nobody can say he has not been given the time and the opportunity to turn things around. The backing has been there, the squad overhaul is happening, and next season has to show a marked improvement. There really are no more excuses.

Stefan - Stick with Gareth. I trust him for now. He now has the opportunity to build his own squad. He and Brad have made huge promises for next season which they will ultimately be judged on. If they don't deliver, more trust in the club will be lost and I already have concerns about that response seeing how toxic it got last season. But we can't keep sacking managers. We need stability and remember Rome wasn't built in a day. It takes time.

Josh - We should back him financially, I know Ainsworth did a miracle with Wycombe but times have changed, we need to invest in to local academy's and how many people we have let go throughout the years who gone on to better things; Demba Ba, Chris Smalling, Max Kilman. Time will tell but the only person I would of given the job to before he went to Bristol Rovers was Steve Evans, as he was passionate and I feel like with the Galinson backing and his passion we could of gone places.

Dan - I have already answered this, we should have done a clean sweep and looked for a new manager from the last game of the season. Ainsworth got lucky and now has been found out he is an old school manager but maybe he is now outdated. 

Mark - I'n in the we can't keep sacking managers camp. It doesn't work and it drains money through compensation. Stick with them for a few years and see what happens. Thats said Ainsworth is lucky not to have been sacked. His record and his football is poor. 

Dover-Gills - To many players in this squad have seen off Neil Harris, Stephen Clemence, Mark Bonner, John Coleman, and had Gareth Ainsworth been sacked, they would have seen off yet another manager. Neil Harris and Mark Bonner have both achieved promotion together with Cambridge United, and Cambridge United are now in League One, and John Coleman is a vastly experienced manager with decades of managerial experience.

This summer was important for Gillingham Football Club, The Release / Retain List was announced very quickly and Gareth Ainsworth could then focus on players he wanted to release, players he wanted to keep, and players he wanted to sign to strengthen the squad in the transfer market, a new manager coming in after the end of the season would have pushed all that preparation work backwards by a few weeks, when Gillingham needed to hit the ground running as soon as the season finished, regarding retain list, incoming signings, and plans for next season. There is no denying that Gareth Ainsworth goes into next season with big pressure on his shoulder’s, but the constant managerial changes just has not worked at all for Gillingham, so some stability is clearly needed.

Cian - I think keeping GA for the moment was the right choice - I've been vocal in my blaming of the playing squad for a considerable amount of time and now we have finally attempted to break a poor group up. I trust GA to move us forward and especially more spot than any other manager on the market towards the end of last season. 

Lewis - I don’t think it was the right decision, no. But, at the same time, the call has been made, so we should see how we start.

Rob - There were times last season that I really didn't rate Ainsworth. When we were playing badly, we stuck to the negative and direct tactics which made the games boring as well as unsuccessful. However, if we play as he always claimed - pace, power, high press - then we could be an exciting team.

Brian - I’ve never been a fan of this “sack the manager” view when the manager hasn’t been there long. Back in the day, a manager would be at a club for years, but now we want to sack them if we don’t win everything. Yes, last season was a hard watch, but I believe in giving things time, so this season…. Well….

13. THE LAST THREE SEASON’S HAVE SEEN GILLINGHAM GET OFF TO A FANTASTIC START ONLY FOR GILLINGHAM TO HIT A DREADFUL RUN OF FORM FROM OCTOBER ONWARDS, WHAT DO GILLINGHAM NEED TO DO TO ENSURE THAT THIS DOESN’T HAPPEN AGAIN FOR THE 2026 / 2027 SEASON ???

Justin - I feel like I have touched on this a few times already, but the honest answer is that until we see genuine consistency in our performances and better in-game management, the risk of that October collapse happening again is very real. The pattern has been there for three seasons now and patterns do not fix themselves. The players, the coaching staff and the manager all have to take responsibility for making sure it does not happen again in 2026/27.

Stefan - We have to keep momentum going. Don't take the foot off the gas. We can't keep being overly cautious in games and we can't fear anyone. We have to have more control in games and go at them.

Josh - Gills always have been like that I feel like the first part of the season is getting the team gelling and getting the results on the board and then turn on the steam like we always do at the beginning of the season from Christmas onwards we could have some interesting football.

Dan - I think with the right dressing room and people around the first team it’s something that can be solved and they all knuckle down for the badge to turn it around. Most teams have a bad patch it’s working as a team to get out of the bad patch together. I remember years ago Gills players fighting at the training ground as players told each other the truth, unlike now when it’s all too pc. A player who wants to play for club saying remember you playing for the Blue shirt and those fans buck your ideas up or ask to leave. 

Mark - Change the players. We need winners and winning mentality. We need real leaders on the pitch, we don't have them. Just listen to any of Littles post match interviews. Hardly inspiring are they. I hope we have a new captain this year. 

Dover-Gills - Sign players with experience, character and good leadership qualities to ensure that standards do not slip on match-day, or, on the training ground, we got a few players with those attributes in Liam Gordon, Omar Beckles, Bradley Dack, James Brophy and Garath McCleary, but two or there more players with good leadership qualities and good experience, will hopefully make sure that a good start to the season, followed by a horrendous run of form for the second half of the season, doesn’t happen again for Gillingham for the 2026 / 2027 season.

Cian - I think breaking the squad apart was a good way to try and combat this, mentally I hope the team this season will be stronger and less susceptible to a poor mentality in this period. 

Lewis - I think fan expectations will be different now. If we start well, everyone will be cautious. But mentality is huge and that’s what the old squad lacked massively.

Rob - Start badly!!! No, we need to keep up the performances. I think our previous squads have been mentally weak and collapsed when things got tough. Injuries also took their toll.

Brian - To not run out of steam and to make sure we don’t get complacent. The team seems to drop their heads and then play as if they just want the game over with (Not ALL of them, but many of them did last season at least).

14. WHILST SEVENTEENTH POSITION HAS SEEN GILLINGHAM’S FIRST TEAM DISAPPOINT SUPPORTERS, THE 2025 / 2026 SEASON WAS A BRIGHT SPARK FOR OUR YOUNGER PLAYERS, WITH MICHAEL LUXTON, HARRY WALDOCK, LOGAN DOBBS, HARRY BRIDLE, LOUIE DAYAL, SULLIVAN BOOTH, STAN SARGENT, HARRY WEBSTER, CRUZ BESZANT AND TAITE HOLTAM MAKING APPEARANCES FOR GILLINGHAM’S FIRST TEAM, AND THERE WERE ALSO APPEARANCES FROM SAM GALE, JOE GBODE AND BRADLEY DACK THROUGHOUT THE SEASON AS WELL, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON SO MANY YOUNG PLAYERS PLAYING FOR GILLINGHAM’S FIRST TEAM ???

Justin - It is really encouraging to see so many young players getting first team opportunities and long may it continue. For me it also highlights an area where we should be doing a lot more in terms of local scouting. Kent is a massive county with a huge amount of young talent and there is not a great deal of competition on our doorstep for us to be snapping these kids up. Unless it is happening quietly behind the scenes and not being publicised, I do not feel we do anywhere near enough of it. If we can combine giving local youngsters a pathway into our academy with the first team opportunities we saw last season, that could be a really exciting area of growth for the club.

Stefan - It's no doubt a testament to how good and promising our academy is. This is no fluke. When these youngsters have come into a struggling squad, they have more often than not outshone the senior established players. That also says a lot.

Josh - I feel like we should give the youth a chance like we did with a few players because they played well and the only way is up for them, and If i was in Ainsworth’s shoes, I would be building a team around youth and experience with Taite Holtam in goal and Harry Waldock in midfield. If the youth aren't getting played, send them out on loan get experience under their hat and try integrate them in to the team. 

I feel like with Sam being young still he's just going to get better and better and if we build the team round him, we could see us having gale on the team sheet for many seasons to come. We should of kept Gbode but money talks but since he left for Luton he can't get in their squad. 

Dan - I love the ideas of youth players being given their chance and if they do the job then they have earned it, if they don’t meet the level then loan them out to the highest possible club that wants them, we have so many local clubs and contacts we could help improve the youngsters more. Maybe look at the top who is running the academy bringing the players through but what contacts they have. 

Mark - It’s a good thing. We need to develop our own and sell them for a profit. That is the only was we will be sustainable. We won't grow the crowd to do it. 

Dover-Gills - Our young players put in commendable performances for the first team, which only goes to show how inept and appalling some of our so called senior first team players were last season, it’s something that Gillingham do need to improve on, but with Richard Dobson and Gareth Ainsworth both mentioning recently that Gillingham are going to be carrying a much smaller first team squad, it sounds like some of our younger player’s are going to be given opportunities to impress for the first team this coming season, Harry Waldock did not look out of place in Gillingham’s Midfield at times last season, he looks like a player for Gillingham to keep an eye on.

Cian - I think whilst the performances of the young players were promising, specifically that of Waldock and Booth's game at Barnet they highlighted the poor quality within the rest of the squad. Waldock outshone the rest of the midfield in a few games he featured which was highly disappointing when analysing the effectiveness of senior pros whom he outperformed. 

Lewis - It’s probably the most we’ve seen in a while isn’t it. It’s great to see them get opportunities and I’ve been impressed by the likes of Dobbs and Waldock. They won’t all make it, but let’s hope we handle them well. 

Rob - Yes, that's the biggest positive. While Gale is now an established first team regular, I would suggest Waldock is in the first team squad now. The danger with throwing the youngsters in is that that can go backwards if results are bad. Booth for example, scored and assisted in his debut, which sounds like a dream start until you realise we also conceded 6. Ainsworth has said he wants a smaller squad and to dip into the youngsters, so let's hope we see a few more this season.

Brian - I think it is a good thing to get the youngsters out to get experience and build on their skills, but playing too many at once could be problematic but if we get too many injuries, we may not have a choice sometimes.

But it is still good to get the youngsters in the fray of it and strengthen them for the games.

15. AND HOW DO GILLINGHAM IMPROVE OUR DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUNG PLAYERS SO THAT GILLINGHAM CAN GET MORE PLAYERS LIKE SAM GALE AND BRADLEY DACK REGULARLY PLAYING FOR THE FIRST TEAM IN THE COMING SEASONS ???

Justin - For me it starts with having a clear philosophy, a style and an identity that runs consistently through every age group right up to the first team. There should be no disconnect between how our under tens play and how our first team plays. The first team backroom staff should have a significant input into what the youth teams are doing and how they are set up, so that by the time a young player gets their opportunity in the first team they are not learning a completely new way of playing. That continuity is what turns promising youngsters into ready made first team players.

Stefan - Just need to nurture them properly. Keep doing what the academy is doing. But also make sure that we don’t let the wrong ones slip through our fingers and release them where they become really good established players at rival clubs.

Josh - I would improve the local academics and improve relationships with local football clubs and give them the experience they need and give them the tools they need to succeed.

Dan - You have to look at getting players out on loan playing senior football as soon as possible. Also better training facilities, scouting and coaching for the younger players and young pros. There is a lot of young talented footballers in Kent, let’s look at them at grassroots level starting at U9 upwards. 

Mark - Give them a chance in the first team. 

Dover-Gills - Bring Back The B Team between the first team and youth team, that would allow younger players to make the step up from youth team football into a second team, before making the jump again from the second team into the first team, the gap between youth team football and first team football is huge, having a second team allows our younger players to play against better team’s. Gareth Ainsworth can then see how they are doing and see which players are ready for the first team.

Some players will still get loan moves into non league football, get used to playing competitive first team football, but there would be a better pathway into the first team if Gillingham had another team to bridge the gap between the first team and youth team.

Cian - I think sending our younger players on higher quality loans would benefit the club in honesty, however it is difficult to identify the highest level a young player can play consistently and perform well. That being said these players must be playing because they are of the level we are at and not plugging gaps in a weak squad. 

Lewis - Loans are important but I’d like to see loans at a higher level too. I think the likes of Holtham and Waldock, if they go out, can do it in a decent league. And that will go a long way to helping them. 

Rob - Game time, I suppose. I think someone like Holtam could do with a loan at a better level but I understand the flexibility that loaning to clubs in Step 3 & 4 gives us.

Brian - Perhaps bring them into the 1st team as subs at least, so the guys can build some experience and improve their skills.

16. HAVE YOU BOUGHT OR RENEWED YOUR SEASON TICKET FOR THE 2026 / 2027 SEASON ???

Justin - Yes I have, and already I am missing it even though I could not wait for the season to end back in May! That is football for you though. No matter how much a season tests your patience, the optimism always comes back and I will be in the Rainham End with my son ready to go again come August. I just hope the team gives us something to genuinely shout about this time.

Stefan - Yes I have renewed.

Josh - I haven't brought one yet but looking in to it. 

Dan - No I haven’t renewed and won’t I’ll just buy tickets so if I can’t make it I don’t lose out. 

Mark - Of course. With Scally gone its a no brainer, the Galinson’s saved us and its the least I can do to say thank-you to them. Plus, what else as am I going to do on a Saturday. 

Dover-Gills - I am not A Season Ticket Holder, but try and get to Priestfield Stadium as often as I can for home games, but I also watch Dover Athletic when there at home as well.

Cian - I am all renewed for my first season back at priestfield following university and I could not be happier!

Lewis - I don’t have a season ticket due to work commitments, but I’d be doing it if I did!

Rob - Yes. Took advantage of the 4 monthly payments 

Brian - I renewed the day they were available.

17. GILLINGHAM HAVE REVEALED THE NEW HOME, AWAY AND THIRD KITS FOR THE 2026 / 2027 SEASON, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON GILLINGHAM’S NEW KITS FOR NEXT SEASON ???

Justin - My initial reaction was that I loved the home and third kits but really was not keen on the away at all. However I popped into the shop intending to just pick up the home and third and I have to say all three kits look so much better in person than they do online. I ended up walking out with all three! The away has definitely grown on me, but for me you simply cannot beat that lovely blue of the home shirt. Classic Gillingham.

Stefan - I like the home and love the third. Not overly keen on the cream and green away one but it may grow on me. I do like that the club experiment with something unique and a bit bizarre for our third kits.

Josh - The home kit is ok and I would of liked the retro blue kit with the waves and Medway motors on the front is better then the one we got. I absolutely love the third kit and planning to buy it soon and we should of made it the away kit maybe mister maker has a job for life. 

Dan - I like the Blue home kit and buy it each season but don’t wear another shirt for the draw. The other two are good marketing as make a conversion about them and also looks at different age groups and fan bases of the club. I don’t personally like them but they will do well. 

Mark - Blue is nice, simple but classy in some ways. Not convinced by the other two but I don't think that were aimed at old blokes in their late fifties. 

Dover-Gills - Home kit is a classic Gillingham Kit, I don’t like the away kit at all, the third kit is brilliant and popular with younger supporters.

Cian - I'm a fan of all three kits, cream and green is an odd colour combo for a Gillingham away shirt but it works nice in my opinion. 

Lewis - I like the home kit. I can see what they have tried to do with the other two, but don’t think they have nailed it. That said, the third strip looks a lot better in person.

Rob - I'm not a fan of the away shirt, but it will be interesting to see it in person. I like the simplicity of the home kit and, in contrast, the madness of the third kit.

Brian - I really like the home kit. Smart, sleek and looks good.

The “Mr Maker” kit is nice but when he showed a marble rolling in paint and put it onto paper… it seemed to show that the design was about 2 minutes work.

The collar kit looks like a pack of Embassy Cigs. Really don’t like it so didn’t buy it, but I did by the other two.

18. WITH THE 2026 WORLD CUP UNDERWAY, WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP ??? WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE DARK HORSE SIDE TO DO WELL IN THE TOURNAMENT ??? - AND HOW WELL DO YOU THINK ENGLAND WILL DO IN THE TOURNAMENT ???

Justin - If I am being honest I am not that excited about this World Cup. I really do not enjoy the chess match, pass it around the back style of football that you see at international level and increasingly in the Premier League as well. That said I will absolutely be watching. As for England, based on what I have seen from them in the friendlies leading up to the tournament I think we will be lucky to make the quarter finals unless there is a significant step up in performance. I hope I am wrong but I am not convinced. My dark horse pick is Japan. I really like them as a side and I think they could surprise a few people. And my winners? France. I think they have too much quality for everyone else in the tournament.

Stefan - At the moment I think France. I think England will make knockout stages but the defence worries me. That's the one thing I think Tuchel got wrong. But either he has sabotaged it for us or he's a genius. We'll see.

Josh - I think with the games playing the way at the moment I think it could either be us but I don’t want to jinx it or Germany. Dark horses I'd say maybe Norway but not sure at the moment because Spain drew with Cape Verde and the other big teams except Germany have had a mediocre game I don't think Brazil will. 

Dan - I think you have to look at France like always a good side from back to front so massive favourite for me to win it.  

Dark horses I have to say Morocco, something about them I think they will surprise a lot of people. 

England will make the quarter finals, semis at a push. Love them to win it and they have the best squad I years now but can’t see it, also if we meet Germany who does the manager want to win his country or the people who will pay his bonus. 

Mark - France to Win 

Netherlands to be the surprise team other than Cap Verde who have done well to get this far. 

England I have no idea but I can't see us beating the likes of France. 

Dover-Gills - France are favourites to win the competition, and I think France will win The World Cup.

England to make it to the quarter finals, I think if England are to progress further then quarter final’s, we are going to need to win a penalty shoot-out, and get some luck along the way.

Dark Horses, Norway, Erling Haaland will score goals for Norway, and if you got one of the best strikers in the world, that gives Norway a great chance of winning, especially when matches are 0-0, or 1-1, and you need to create that one chance for your main striker to score, and Erling Haaland will score goals in those moments for Norway.

Cian - We are winning the Lot! 

Lewis - I said since the start we’d lose to France in the final and I’m sticking to it! As for the dark horse, you have to have been impressed by Norway!

Rob - England will get to the semis, at least!  I think if we can beat Argentina then France or Spain will be a hell of a test, but in one game, anything can happen. It's been a very good tournament and extending to 48 teams has really worked. FIFA's corruption over Balogun...not so much.

Brian - I will be surprised if we Beat Norway. The Norwegians have a strong side and although we have done ok, most of our games haven’t been as good as our side COULD be.

If Norway beat us, I think they will go on to win it, but obviously hope I am wrong and that our lads go all the way!

19. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME BIG RULE CHANGES FOR THE WORLD CUP, LIKE NO TACTICAL GOALKEEPER INJURIES ALLOWED AND SUBSTITUTES MUST LEAVE THE PITCH WITHIN TEN SECONDS, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THESE CHANGES, AND ARE THERE LAWS / RULES YOU LIKE TO SEE CHANGED OR IMPLEMENTED IN FOOTBALL FOR THE 2026 / 2027 SEASON ???

Justin - The goalkeeper one is long overdue as far as I am concerned. It has always felt like a free timeout for the manager and it is one of those things that really grates on you as a supporter. Good riddance to it. As for the substitutes leaving the pitch within ten seconds, I think it is fine in principle but I would need to see more games before commenting further on how it is working in practice. As for changes I would like to see in football, the one that really frustrates me is the pushing and pulling in the box at corners. Something has to be done about it because it always seems to go the way of the defender and we end up seeing free kick after free kick with very little actually given. I am not sure what the exact answer is but the current situation is not working and it needs addressing.

Stefan - I like the changes. Especially the time wasting and the ones regarding fouls being allowed when corners are out of play. We see it every week in League Two where opposition players are all over failing our players in the box and nothing gets done. It should change.

Josh - I feel like subs should leave the pitch at the nearest side to them and walk around and definitely the throw in and corner timing should be brought in, as how many times I've seen opposition players move up quite a way from where it went out from and the corner should be taken from the corner area not like a mini corner like they do in hockey.

Dan - I think these ideas are really good as most clubs and we did with Morris use the goalkeeper injury to stop the momentum in a game. 

The sub thing is good if your losing but if your winning not so good. 

Don’t like the hydration breaks 

Mark - Yep I like them, anything to stop the time wasting. 

Dover-Gills - For me, substitutes having to go off on the nearest side of the pitch is a great rule, number of times you see the winning team try and run down the clock with a time wasting substitution in the 89th minute, really, in those situations, I like to see the fourth official automatically add two additional minutes of stoppage time at the end of the second half to try and prevent team’s from time wasting with substitutions.

Another rule regarding substitutions I like to see, with five substitutions allowed now every match, I think one of the substitutes who comes on has to be a player from a team’s academy, that encourages team’s to focus on there youth team’s more, when you have to substitute on an academy player for first team matches.

Cian - I think that we are at a decent spot at the moment, the two aforementioned rules have seemingly been positive and i hope similar measures are implemented in the EFL> 

Lewis - I like that they are being proactive but there’s a long way to go. There’s confusion over certain fouls, why you can change a corner but not a goal kick etc. They’ll get there, but it’s a mess at the minute. I just want some decent officials!

Rob - I think they're good and have worked to keep the game flowing. The quick throw ins have also made a big change - I hope this will be in League 2 next year!

Brian - This pathetic diving and rolling around really pisses me off. As soon as these guys are tapped, they act like someone has just shot them with a shotgun! I think they should be carded for it. It is embarrassing, and makes them look like a real bunch of wimps. Not to mention it is cheating.

I think keeping the game flowing is a good thing. I also think that a country’s leader should NOT be allowed to interfere with a decision.

20. AND FINALLY, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH TO ADD (EXAMPLE: IS THERE SOMETHING I HAVE NOT COVERED IN THE NINETEEN QUESTIONS ASKED ABOVE YOU WANT TO EXPAND UPON) ???

Justin - The one thing I would love to see improve that no recruitment drive or tactical overhaul can fix is the atmosphere at Priestfield. I remember how it felt in the early 2000s and it was something special. In recent years it has felt very flat at times, and I know that is partly down to there not being a great deal to shout about on the pitch, but we as supporters have a role to play too. So come on everyone, let us get behind the lads, make some noise and get Priestfield rocking again. Come on you Gills!

Stefan - All Good

Josh - Nothing To Add

Dan - Think you have covered everything, maybe an event the club could do and is a great promotion is a kids Christmas party with the first team. Make young season holders first and then a ballet for younger fans this would make Gillingham look even better in the community but also encourage the next generation of supporters.

Mark - All good Lee, thanks for doing it. 

Dover-Gills - It’s been a tough season for both of my club’s, Gillingham have under-achieved finishing seventeenth in League Two, and whilst Dover Athletic are safe in The National League South having beaten Dartford in the playoff final to win promotion the season before, finishing just outside of the relegation zone was cutting things too close, and I am hoping for a nice solid mid-table league position for Dover Athletic in The National League South next season. Dover Athletic have signed Euan Williams from Gillingham, and Euan Williams has set a target of scoring ten goals from midfield for Dover Athletic next season.

Dover Athletic V Gillingham on July 14th will be an interesting pre-season friendly, last summer’s pre-season friendly saw an impressive 1,225 attendance at The Crabble, and with Dover Athletic being Gillingham’s opening pre-season friendly, hopefully, this summer’s friendly is equally well attended, but I do think this friendly would have been better attended on A Saturday then A Tuesday Night.

Cian - Nothing from me Lee, thank you again for letting me do this and UTG.

Lewis - Nothing to add - thanks as always Lee for asking me, and up the Gills!

Rob - No. Thanks again for doing this Lee, hope to see you at a few games this year. UTG!

Brian - Just want to add that I am a new boy to the Gills. I grew up in London and followed a London Club. I am a big advocate of supporting local clubs but only visited a few in the area since moving to Kent. After coming to a few games with my brother in law, I was quickly hooked. I have become a Gills fan because, regardless of the results and the kind of season the Gills have, the club is the kind of club I grew up with. In what way?

The supporters are a massive part of the club and every week, seeing the same faces in the RE and chatting way, the camaraderie, Seeing your mates and making new friends, the excitement in the ground, the drink in the Factory beforehand and actually being close to the pitch rather than having a stadium where you cant see the field. The fact the club seems to care about the fans (Tho some may disagree, but compare it to the premier league where fans are simply a cash flow). The away days, everything about the Gills I have quickly become a fan and now a season ticket holder.  

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