Football Season Guide

Gillingham are looking forward to the new League Two season with a real sense of hope and optimism. It follows the takeover by American Brad Galinson in January which turned their season around. Neil Harris seemingly had no answers after an appalling run of results before Christmas. He was fortunate to keep his job, with off-field issues taking centre stage. There was the very real prospect of losing their Football League status but the signings of midfielders George Lapslie and Timothee Dieng and strikers Oliver Hawkins and Tom Nichols made all the difference. They will again be crucial as the Gills look to challenge at the right end of the division this time around. Such was their upturn in form, coupled with the ambitions of Galinson, that a challenge for automatic promotion is now widely expected. The spine of the squad is there, with Glenn Morris one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the division even with the prospect of turning 40 before the end of the year. Max Ehmer had arguably the most consistent season of his career in the heart of the defence whilst full-back Cheye Alexander’s improvement after the turn of the year was there for all to see. Harris has plenty of money to spend, but other clubs know that and have been bumping up the prices. So far the signing of Wales international Jonny Williams is the standout whilst full-back Max Clark and centre-back Shadrach Ogie were both promoted from this division last season. It will be exciting to see just how much they strengthen before the window closes next month.