Lord Sondes.....well said. Lenny hang your head. You may have your views and you are entitled to them, but to air them in such a malicious way does you no favours.
Despite me playing the critic for a good part of the season in regards to player selections and tactics, I wish Andy Hessenthaler all the best and want to say a big thank you. Whatever I deem the failings of the past two seasons, Hessy has Gillingham blue blood running through his veins, however, sometimes that in itself is not enough to see you through. It is easy as a fan to judge but I doubt I could even do anything like half the job he has done. Andy Hessenthaler is the nice guy and loved by many fans as a player, so it really causes pain when you see a much loved character have to step down. If only it had worked out for him but sadly when it comes to Gillingham and lower league football that has been the curse for as long as I can remember. It would be good to see Hessy take another role in the club and something he deserves for commitment alone. As for who should be the next Gills manager, I do not have a clue! What is Steve Bruce doing since he departed from Sunderland? (sorry I do not follow the premier league). Andy Hessenthaler - Thank You.
I disagree Bristol, to remove Hess from his position was an extremely brave act by Scally, with Hess in place he had the perfect tool to appease the fans. Agreed he is a club legend and, as brb states, he may bleed blue and white but he has been given a generous budget (in the chairman's view) and has failed to deliver the goods. Now Scally could have shown absolutely no ambition and keep Hess in place and then hoped the fact that he is popular with some section of the supporters would make up for yet another failed season or he could take a risk and try someone new. You are right in that the new manager will have a reduced budget, but that is down to Hess' failure in the last two seasons, but a budget cut was enevitable and Hess, if he had stayed, would have suffered a similar fate and if he failed to deliver the goods with a larger budget what, apart form blind faith, can you base the assumption that he will achieve promotion with less resources? Also I would like to suggest that Ternant is a bit of a pipe dream, he didn't want the job when we were relegated to L1 due to lack of resources, why would he take the job at a lower level?
Martin allen - straight awy! UTG!! Even if hess dnt stay at gils hes still the legend. fair play.....
BSG My comments about Ternent were intended as an illustration of an "elder statesman". My understanding was that he turned down the job because of inadequate salary not inadequate financial resources as a whole. His position may well be unchanged but it was a surprise to see someone of Horton's calibre helping out at Macclesfield so guys of this ilk might consider a Gillingham salary. There are a number of people in the "elder statesman" category who could fit the bill. My point about the budget cut was that a massive budget cut is achievable painlessly with the departure of the names mentioned which will happen with little impact on required personnel. The issue is of course, that the cut will be bigger with the compensation package needing to be paid to Southall and Hessy.
I hear that Scally would like Dennis Wise, doubt we would get him but what do you think, also what do you think about Andy Scott.
Good sense of humour Hoadie. Remember Scally pays rock bottom rates (due in part to the fact that he always has to buy out an unexpired contract) so if you have heard of the candidate you know it is probably untrue. A cardboard cutout of a big name could however be a real contender.
AH has been a great servant for Gills both as a player and manager but I too am a little sad he has left the club, to me he WAS Gillingham. Your team gets mentioned and I instantly think his name. As sad as I am see to him leave, having very narrowly missed out on the play offs again, I think perhaps it was the right thing to do for both him and the club. He has possibly taken the team as far as he can, again a shame. I hope you get a decent guy to replace him and can get back up to L1 soon
Thanks, yeah he is Gillingham, being such a legend he is an icon of the club much like Dalglish is to Liverpool.
