https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2021/may/retained-list-confirmed-202021/ *PLAYERS CONTRACTED FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON* FIRST TEAM Kyle Dempsey Ryan Jackson Alex MacDonald* Robbie McKenzie Stuart O’Keefe* Vadaine Oliver Jack Tucker U23’s Harvey Lintott Gerald Sithole Henry Woods *Both Alex MacDonald and Stuart O’Keefe signed new contracts earlier this week *PLAYERS UNDER CONTRACT FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON BUT AVAILABLE FOR TRANSFER* John Akinde Christian Maghoma *PLAYERS OUT OF CONTRACT AND LEAVING THE CLUB* Sacha Bastien Jack Bonham* Jordan Graham* Tyreke Johnson Connor Ogilvie* Dominic Samuel Matty Willock *New contracts offered to Jack Bonham, Connor Ogilvie and Jordan Graham were, after negotiations, subsequently turned down. *LOAN PLAYERS RETURNING TO THEIR PARENT CLUBS* Robbie Cundy Olly Lee Tommy O’Connor We would like to thank and acknowledge every player who has worn the Gills shirt this season.
It will be the same as last season, starting off in the North Kent 5 a side league due to a lack of players. It feels like Groundhog Day and although these are difficult times SE will have to make some decent signings at the start of this season rather than new Year otherwise this season will be a re run of the last two. Not feeling optimistic..........
Looks like Im in training again this summer. I was not a fan of Bonham to start with but he grew on me. New contracts offered and refused is sad Graham and Ogilvie. But good we still have Dempsey, Jackson and Oliver
Think O Conner and Lee will sign for us in summer. Cundy has signed another year at Bristol so doubt he will be available. Slattery could be available though on loan. Eccles would also be a possibly
Of course we all wish JG the best of luck for the future and thank him for his contribution. Anyone in life wants to improve themselves, it's called ambition and good luck to them. It doesn't make it feel any better when you realise that your team and club who you have supported for many years will be left scrabbling for scraps before the new season starts. SE has done really well on this front........but how much longer will he be prepared to operate under such (justifiable) constraints when other teams are throwing money around like confetti. It is certainly not a level playing field out there, and I'm just glad that we still have a team....as a few have gone to the wall. Mid table again next season? Probably.........
Ogilve said very similar thing on his Twitter account about his 4 years at the club where he grew up from a boy to a man
Pleasing to see O'Keefe and MacDonald staying on although I do hope Stuart stays a bit more disciplined next season. Wasn't a great fan of MacDonald at the start but his workrate grew on me. Personally don't think he looks natural on the left though. Regards to the boys transfer listed I assume they think we can get some money for Akinde. January deadline day move to Southend broke down as I think we couldn't get a replacement so wouldn't be surprised to see League Two sides come in for Big John. Shame as his 7 goals and 9 assists in all comps were very important throughout the season. I do have a wry smile on my face though that I was shouted down on twitter about Akinde's goal ability when I said we should have gone Okenabirhie who scored a lot more. Maghoma is not surprising to see him off, looked out of his depth at this level. Released list I think Samuel is the only one who might raise an eyebrow as 6 goals in 19 isn't a bad return. The guy clearly needs to learn to stay fit though if he's going to reproduce the form we know he can. The three who turned down a new deal I think we can all wish them well. Ogilvie has been a great servant to us and leaves as a far more accomplished defender to the one that first joined us. Bonham on the whole was solid, perhaps a tad surprising he turned down a new deal but I'm sure @brb is celebrating his departure. Jordan Graham I think we all knew he would only stay a short time and Lee Bowyer's admiration for him in January makes him a prime target for Birmingham City in the Championship I believe. As for comings in? Jake Taylor from Exeter is a name I've seen on a couple of sites who matches the mould of midfielders Evans clearly likes. Surrey boy also might make Gills more attractive case for him. I would expect to see Tommy O'Connor signed permanently and hope Olly Lee returns. That would at least give us 13 of the current squad to build on (if Akinde & Maghoma leave).
As always a very thought out and considered opinion. Ignore them on twitter mate, I've known you long enough to know your knowledge of football is extensive, especially tactically. Ogilvie will be a great loss, but sometimes not always played in positions I would prefer, and that's where I think he needs to be able to establish himself more extensively elsewhere, politely meaning he's wasted on us. Thankfully we keep Dempsey due to contract, because he is without doubt a good underpin of our foundations, it will be interesting to see who fills the role of Graham who will probably go to a Championship club. I see some good physical attributes in MacDonald that all teams need, hopefully that will come to fruit next season and not leave me disappointed. Olly Lee has to be a must for a return, he's the guy that only needs one touch to bring you a last minute winner. As for keepers we need to find ourselves another bargain basement Paulo, that we can nurture for a few seasons before selling them on for silly money.
Olly Lee back very influential player imho. https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2021/june/olly-lee-signs-for-gills/
Can't knock the signing of Lee personally. We know what he can produce and that will only benefit us. Also gives us another player back from last season making the core stronger and better to build upon.
I cannot believe that Steve Evans does not realise just how poor is Ehmer.... so poor that he lost his place in a Bristol Rovers side that were relegated ---- and did not Evans remember how badly Ehmer performed against The Gills in Bristol - responsible for a goal - with his trademark rubbish.... I can see more bloody hoofball, and opposing forwards walking past him......... I might just ask for a refund of my (2nd year season ticket)
Ah yes, let's not forget our own defence was impacted last season and conceded far more many goals without Max Ehmer in the side. Bristol Rovers were a car crash in that side. Joey Barton publicly berating him wasn't going to improve things. That's now how you get the best out of Max Ehmer. Steve Evans & Paul Raynor did get the best out of Max, if we can get that player back, we will be keeping a lot more clean sheets than last season.
