so Gills have signed 23 year old striker Rory Donnelly after his release from Swansea. But who is he? http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.c...am-fc-sign-striker-rory-donnelly-2509360.aspx I have no idea so answers on a postcard.....
OK - he didn't save Tranmere from relegation - but Maybe Donnelly didn't get decent enough service -- which appears to be as rare as hens teeth. It seems to me that JE is assembling a team with pace in several departments - particularly in forward positions. With experience in most areas of the squad, we could be in a for an attacking season. If we can provide that elusive decent service, we are beginning to get players with potential to profit. Marquis came to us with a poor scoring record - but dramatically improved with the players around him - I hope that Donnelly can do the same. We have to be realistic - Donnelly is the type of player that we can afford - and hope that a small gamble pays off.
I seem to remember him being highly rated by Swansea and was surprised to see him never play in the league for them however I believe he will be a good player for us. It is clear he didn't fulfill the potential that they thought he had but I still think this lad has a lot of potential and if given the right service he will hit at least 10 next season.
At one stage he was one of the highest rated young British talents. The bbc gossip column centred itself around him for months prior to Swansea signing him. You only have to look at the comment section of that Youtube video to see what they thought. I think this is a great addition, he's 6'2 and unlike most failed prodigies, hasn't had a career changing injury.
It appears back in Jan/Feb 2014 there was some personal issues, Donnelly, highlighted to me by the Swans supporters, so i managed to find this story after a bit of research...http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sp...ews/rory-donnelly-staying-swansea-sky-6682127
He was being pursued by both Liverpool and Everton,but Brendan Rodgers convinced him to sign for Swansea. He had scored a lot of goals for Cliftonville,and expectations of him doing something similar for The Swans were high. What happened? Good question. Don't listen to the rumour mongers. This lad will score lots of goals for you. Best of luck next season,I'll follow you with great interest.
To be honest Brb, Callum Wilson aside, Coventry has been a poison chalice for players in recent years. They haven't had the best of luck with all of the background issues and I feel that their gripes are not necessarily directed well. There's already an article written by a Coventry fansite regarding the "One hit wonder" moving to us. Whilst I feel sour grapes is a bit too strong a term, I don't see why they should have such invested interest in a player that barely played for them.
Having spoken to some Tranmere fans, he was deployed out the wing a fair few times instead of being up front which is why his goals dried up. As far as they're concerned though apparently we've signed a good young player there who will get us bags of goals. Lovely jubbly
I think i would pick up on the point that alwaysright made about pace and totally agree. Anything that adds pace to a team is a good thing in my books. Last season I wasn't able to make a lot of games due to personal reasons and have given up my ST for next season. However, I will still be attending games but on a pay per day basis and am looking forward to it, the reason i mention this is because if Taylor had still been at the helm i seriously don't think I could have bared much more of his tactic style. I go to be entertained whether win, lose or draw, I expect no pamper boy deliverance but i also don't want to be sent to sleep, I can stay at home to do that! So things are looking promising, expectations for next season, none, other than let's just see some Gills of old, pace and guts until the final whistle. I don't want us to bust the budget, just bring in unknowns that just might deliver us what we've been looking for. Just a question, regarding Cliftonville, what English League would they be comparison too ie L2, L1, higher, I'm just trying to get a measure of the level Donnelly played and appeared more capable at.
the NIFL is only semi-pro, altho' they do compete in Europe. Co-incidentally, Peterboro' recently signed prolific striker Joe Gormley, from Cliftonville FC, Belfast (where Rory Donnelly was once the club's record top scorer) ...
should be good friends with Egan with both being Irish, hope both can break into Irish teams as well and Egan signs extension contract.
