Note, I’m not an “influencer”, or a “Content Producer”, or whatever they’re called. I’m just a Gills supporter – and a casual one at that – who’s realised that what the world really needs right now is to hear my opinion on all things Gillingham FC. I’ve never trained as a coach, so it’s unlikely you’ll find me giving a detailed analysis of what the current manager has got wrong. I did however, many years ago, qualify as a referee. I only reffed for a few years and never progressed up the pyramid, but my previous life does frequently impact my perception on things.
So here’s to post one. It’s Tuesday 30th April and yesterday, just as Gills fans were settling down for a few weeks of non-footy rest before the Euros, the “Socials” exploded as first rumour, then an official statement told us that Clem had been sacked. Slightly comically, the rumour came out just before the official Gills website published an interview with Clem about how busy everyone at the club would be this summer. I say comically, because I found it funny and although I’m sure whoever is responsible was a little bit red-faced, it was hardly the career ending faux pas some were suggesting. Must admit I was surprised by the decision, but I don’t feel it was a bad one. Nor do I feel that we’re becoming the lower-leagues answer to Watford. Here’s where I stand on the key subjects:
Scally – he’s the reason I went from long-term STH to not going to a home game for something like 15 years. I’m not going to risk legal action by casting aspersions on the man, but I don’t like him.
Gallinsons – not surprisingly, I like them. I’m curious about their motives – they’ve explained why they picked our club, but I’m not sure they’ve explained what motivated them to buy an EFL club in the first place. They don’t appear to have any previous affiliation to, or interest in, football (soccer), so I’m curious about that one. BUT, right now they’re investing in the club, they’ve made massive improvements off the pitch and they seem determined to bring success on the pitch too. If their ultimate goal is to get us into the Championship and then flog the club for a tidy profit (complete speculation on my part), then I’m absolutely fine with that. Ultimately, they’re the reason I went from long-term absentee to casual (to maybe even getting a ST again), and the reason I introduced one of my daughter’s to the club, who is now a complete diehard!
The word “Soccer” – surely everyone knows by now that this is actually an English word, not American? Perhaps what isn’t known is that it was a common term for the game in this country up until some point in the 80s. As a very keen rugby fan too, it’s a term I hear a lot, so unlike many, I don’t have a problem with it.
Neil Harris and his sacking – I was a big bomber fan, so it was a surprise when he was sacked. Generally speaking I’m in favour of giving a manager time to develop the team and I thought Neil had the experience and the capability to build us into a sustainable, successful football club. I’m convinced that the sacking had nothing to do with the team’s performance, although like most, I have absolutely no inside knowledge. I just find that sacking a manager at that point having clearly not given any consideration to who would replace him, can’t have been down to us dropping out of the top-three. That said, when Harris returned to Millwall, it was obvious that alternative destiny of Harris leading us back to the promised land was never going to happen, so now I’m not too fussed that he left. At the end of the day, there isn’t a club in the world that Neil wouldn’t leave to return to Millwall, so unless your club is Millwall, there’s no point building a long-term future around him.
Stephen Clemence (and his sacking) – I think hiring Clem was a huge gamble, but what a fairytale it could have been. Son of a former England great and sidekick to a former Gills legend, given his first shot at the main job. I was surprised he wasn’t given a full season, but I’m not entirely disappointed either. Yes, it was harsh, but as someone else said online, we never saw anything either way. Clearly he’s not another Paul Taylor (showing my age!), but there was just nothing there to indicate he could improve the team. The quality of the football didn’t improve, the results didn’t improve. There was just nothing there that you could pick up and say are the foundations for what is to come. I wish him well and I wouldn’t be upset if he went on to prove himself elsewhere.
Entertaining football or successful football? Well obviously I’d like both. Who wouldn’t want to watch fast, entertaining, classy football and winning every week? But if it’s a choice between the two, then for me, it depends on where we are.
League Two – Win. Don’t give a shit how ugly it looks, I want us out of this division (and in an upwards direction obviously).
League One – Really 50/50 on this one. Will enjoy entertaining football and a mid-table finish just as much as promotion with a Steve Evans hit-and-hope style.
Championship – as long as we’re not getting relegated, probably don’t care.
Who do I want to be our next manager? I’ll be honest, I don’t analyse other teams anywhere near enough to have the faintest idea who would be a good fit. Like pretty much all the internet experts, when we hire someone I’ll look at a few websites to get his stats and that will be the extent of my “knowledge”. I wouldn’t want Joey Barton or Lee Bowyer though. Also don’t want a Gills legend in charge. As much as I’d love to see Lovell or Pennock lead us back to the Championship, it’s not going to happen and having them return and fail (again) would just ruin the memory.