Retained List

Due out imminently I believe. Vadaine Oliver has already confirmed on twitter he's leaving. Lead to believe that Tucker will be offered a new deal but is also likely to be going so let's hope for some tidy compensation for him.

 

Still uncertain who the 7 players who are under contract.

 

Reeves told a few people at the POTY awards that he was going to be here next year so I think the 7 are:

Reeves
O'Keefe
Ehmer
Chapman
Woods
Sithole
Lintott

 

Reeves
Woods
McDonald
Ehmer
Tutonda
Chapman
O Keffe

 

Thought you were uncertain of who the 7 were

 

I am not sure but chairman did mention a few

 

https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2022/may/retained-list-confirmed-202122/

The list is out!

Chapman not being offered a deal is surprising. Sithole not getting another chance also is disappointing. Can't see Tucker sticking around either but he had to be offered an equivalent contract or better so that we could get compensation for him. Wouldn't surprise me if players like Tutonda & Ollie Lee are moved on either.

 

Well that little lot has cheered me up (NOT)
I cannot understand why Chapman is being released.... I think we'll struggle to get another keeper as good - and probably as cheap !
I would have preferred to have seen Lloyd retained -- our 'performances' certainly suffered when he wasn't in the team -- perhaps the progress of his injury doesn't make him 'viable.' ... Releasing Thompson is another slightly strange one - maybe Harris doesn't think he gives enough to be in the squad. ....
.....and I'd have liked to have kept Lintott ( who wasn't really given a fair chance. ) Chapman and Lintott are young players - and would have represented some youth in the squad -- I do hope we don't end up with a load of 'has-beens'.

Whatever squad we end up with - Gills must change their style - we cannot just hoof the bloody ball upfront ( and immediately lose possession. )

 

Chapman told a couple of people on last day of the season that he wanted to move closer to home (born in Rotherham). Ben Thompson I believe was only ever going to stay if we were League One next season plus Millwall were helping with the money side of things so no surprise there.

Also Chapman is 31 so hardly young

 

Nearly got the 7 right only Lee for Chapman. Shame as preferred Chapman last season performances

 

I would have kept Chapman and Lloyd, but as has already been said, Chapman is a lot older than I original thought he was and Lloyd it was mentioned somewhere on this board about his long enduring injury - so I have to accept the decisions, sadly.

I think we are going to need a few big boys for L2, so we don't get bullied about?

 

Pegleg - thanks... I thought Chapman was about 26/27..... but Buffon and Akinfenwa ( wrong side of 40 ), would call Chapman a 'boy.' !
I note some of the comments re 'geographical' preferences of some of the players.............
............ So - it's not really a 'retained' list - but mostly those who Gills can't give away - and a bit like Evans - cannot afford to pay off.
My concern is that some of the more recent 'vibes' from Harris ( especially since relegation ), has a more pessimistic feel to them - and, I will go so far as to stick my neck out - and say that I can see Harris 'walking' much sooner that we might like - and it wouldn't surprise me if it was before 30th July (2022)...... It will come down to Mr. Scally giving NH a sporting chance with a budget ---------------------- one designed to try to win promotion - rather than financing Paul Scally Ltd !!! - I reckon there's more chance of seeing a new turnstile block at the RE/GRS corner by August (2022).......ps I know the name of a good, cheap builder.

 

Looks like McKenzie has turned down Gillingham offer and leaving. Not to bothered either way

 

Confirmed that Oliver & Chapman left to move closer to home.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/theres-a-home-for-him-at-gillingham-267016/

 

Good luck to Oliver and Chapman, both served the Gills well.

 

In an interview with the club, Harris said he was still open to bringing Danny Lloyd back into the team but as he won't be fit until about November time, the club wouldn't offer him a contract.

 

I was curious to why Danny Lloyd wouldn't be with us, now my curiosity has been answered.

So this is what I think...

Danny was injured playing for the club that employs him, now although medical care has been forthcoming as the expense of the club (I assume), any respectable employer offers an employee two things, private medical and normally at least 12 months full sick pay, after a qualifying period.

Although employees in other jobs, if injured doing their work, could also be entitled to compensation.

Danny has a timeline for his recovery, I do not feel that timeline is excessive, so come on Mr Chairman, do the decent thing or at the very least the right thing, give the lad a contract, football is ful of risks, this seems minor in comparison.

Plus I think Danny Lloyd is a good player, I'd have no hesitation in his name being one of the first on my teamsheet.

 

Not a viable option as we will again have a small squad and budget. Cannot give contracts to players injured who may not be fit till end of 2022 and possibly never make a full recovery. Hopefully club will assist with injury if he wants it, possibly he may want to move closer to family aswell.

 

It's a difficult one, we all know that Lloyd is an asset and that in League Two, he could be an absolute handful for teams. On the flip side because of his age and the extent of his injury, we also don't know what he will be like when he does get fit. Will he ever recover? Physios could easily sign him off but it could be that continually gets aggravated, we just don't really know.

I think I agree on the point though that if my employer umm and arred about whether to keep me or let me go, and leave me on tenderhooks for five months, would I be willing to stay loyal to them when they've not shown the loyalty to me? Probably not.

 

So Chapman moves closer to home. Well just. Didn't see that coming
Signs for Stevenage. Evans signs him again even though he hardly played him at Gills.