GILLINGHAM AND WREXHAM LOCK HORNS TOGETHER FOR THE SIGNATURE OF COVENTRY SENSATIONAL ACE
Almost a quarter of a century ago, Gillingham Football Club were celebrating promotion to the Championship at Wembley Stadium. A 3-2 win in extra time over Wigan Athletic would take them one step away from the promise land. The Premier League.
Cut to December 2022. The Gills were joint bottom of League Two and staring the National League dead in the face.
Throughout this period, it was Paul Scally who reigned supreme. The same man who nearly guided the club to the promised land had become vilified. It was to the extent that fans had been calling Scally’s daughter, demanding her father sell the club.
Then, on December 23rd, fans received an early Christmas present when it was revealed that Scally had sold the club to American businessman Brad Galinson and the Galinson family.
Investment came, passion returned. For the fans, there was hope once again.
“It was a real shot in the arm for everybody,” Gillingham Supporters Club member David Garth summarised. The sentiment was that the fans were becoming less of a priority towards the end of Scally’s tenure. This was perhaps no better summed up by his decision to have the former chairman of the supporters club and local newspapers banned from attending home matches.
Garth described Scally’s reign like a dictatorship. Opposition from fans was seen merely as a personal attack rather than a desire for positive change. Garth remarked, “I remember particularly at one point he came out and called the fans a cancer
With the situation becoming untenable, it was down to the American property gurus to save the day. What happened next was a turnaround in form on the pitch. They managed to survive in League Two rather comfortably, finishing 17th. They’ve begun this campaign well, currently occupying third, two points from top spot.
The mood off the pitch is just as positive. n, MattOlsen host of the ME7 podcast, told the Sports Gazette that the change in environment the new owners have instilled largely boils down to one old mantra. Actions speak louder than words.
“I think the thing that every football fan wants to hear from their chairman is ultimately what they are going to do,” Olsen stated.
He continued, “A lot of the promises Brad has come in and made he’s fulfilled. For me, I think is the biggest reason there will be success at Gillingham.”
Not every decision Galinson makes is universally popular, however. This past Thursday, the club decided to sack manager Neil Harris despite a promising start to the season
Although the former Millwall player was a respected figure at Priestfield, the fans are willing to accept the owner’s decision. Why? Because, he has earned that level of trust.
Regarding the decision, a statement on Gillingham’s website read “the club has decided it now wishes to go in a different direction and will begin the process of identifying a Head Coach to take the team forward.” Although it may seem harsh, this is the result of the long-term ambition the Galinson’s have for the club.
“The aim is to get into the Championship in the next five years,” Garth admitted. The belief is that this will be achieved through placing more emphasis on developing young players from the region and possibly relocating to a larger stadium as the club progresses up the league.
The vision of a sustainable club that is able to make progress and run on its own two feet is a vision that Gillingham supporters are buying into. However, in order to keep fans onside, consistent communication is paramount.
There has been a reintroduction of quarterly forums hosted by the Galinson’s. Fans are welcomed to come and ask questions about their beloved football club. Garth revealed that the supporters club is heavily involved in this, a far cry from the banning that was being implemented by the previous regime.
The potential that Gillingham football club has is undeniably massive. It is partly that which has caused frustration at stagnation and decline of the club. As Olsen put it, “we are the only football league team in the Kent area. If we can get a new stadium and make it to the Championship, we will be selling it out each and every week.”
It seems that with the Galinson’s at the helm, the Gills may just be starting their journey to fulfil that potential. If nothing else, the fans have reacquired some hope. With hope, comes dreams. And perhaps for Gillingham, dreams will turn into reality.
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