Gills News Desk

DANNY SPILLER POSSIBLY GOING FOR A BURTON

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Some possible good news for Gills and Andy Hess is the return to the first team squad of combative midfielder Danny Spiller in readiness for the Burton Albion match.

Danny has been out of contention since the away game against Southend United at Roots Hall last September where he injured his knee.

Danny has only played eight times for Gills this season for a combined total of 500 minutes on the pitch scoring twice, once away at Crewe, and the other strike was at Barnet’s Underhill ground.

SCALLY SUPPORTS THE FOOTBALL CREDITORS RULE

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 17:10:19 +0000

Many Gills fans were unable to purchase the match day magazine for last Saturday’s postponed Hereford United game and therefore missed the words of Gills Chairman, Paul Scally writing in his regular column.

In part Mr. Scally wrote about the current state of the game and raised issues concerning an interesting court case with regard to the Inland Revenue challenging football in respect to what is commonly referred to as the Football Creditors Rule.

GILLS YOUNG PROSPECTS SEEK RYMAN EXPERIENCE

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 18:22:26 +0000

Four of Gills young players, Bradley Dack, Jack Parter, Jakob Hessenthaler and Josh Hare have joined two of Kent's Ryman League Division One South sides, Ramsgate and Whitstable, to gain valuable experience.  
Bradley Dack, who is captain of the Gills Youth team has joined 10th placed Ramsgate along with colleague Jack Parter for the remainder of the season while sons of the Gills manager, and Head of Youth, Jakob Hessenthaler and Josh Hare respectively, have joined Whitstable Town who are 19th in the Ryman table.  Midfielder Dack is the leading goal scorer for the Youth team this season with 20 goals in all competitions including three separate hat tricks. Ramsgate boss Jim Ward was delighted with his two new players saying, "The Chairmen watched them both play in the Kent Senior Cup. Both acquitted themselves really well on the night. When I was offered them, I welcomed them."   Ward continued by stating, "I’ve no adversity against playing anybody who's young - who's good enough!"   Whitstable manager Justin Luchford told his official site, “I have this week signed Jake and Josh respectively from the Gillingham Academy. They will both give us a little boost with regards to enthusiasm and fitness. These are two young lads that are looking to get some much needed experience at senior level football.”

PRIESTFIELD PLASTIC UNLIKELY FOR GILLS FUTURE

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 11:48:54 +0000

The Football League had insisted that all league clubs invest in new pitch covers but despite having those said covers on the pitch at Priestfield Stadium all week, the game between Gills and Hereford United was called off by local assessor, retired referee Paul Alcock (pictured right in 1998 famously being pushed over by current Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio after issuing the Italian with a red card).

The Hereford cancellation comes despite Gills using the covers on the Priestfield pitch all week to prevent the ground freezing as they are designed to protect any pitch up to minus four/five. According to Gills grounds man John Plummer, they were doing just that as he was quoted on Thursday as saying the pitch was playable.

ANDY HESS AND FRAMPTON BOOST SQUAD BELIEF

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 18:34:11 +0000

Gills eleven goal top scorer, Danny Kedwell (right), has given an insight behind the scenes at Priestfield telling the official site that both manager Andy Hessenthaler and experienced Gills captain, Andy Frampton, have been doing their best to lift the entire squad following the recent slump in form.

Danny commented, "Andy Hessenthaler always believes in us and that's why he's a great manager. ‘Frammo’ believes in us too and that's what they're getting into us.”

The two of them must be doing a great job, as the striker is not the only squad member recently that has commented on the belief that automatic promotion is still a possibility.

GILLS HOME ADVANTAGE IN THE PROMOTION BANK

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 21:21:17 +0000

Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler has asked for all fans to get behind his team as they aim for a League Two Play-off position. Hess told the official site, "When you're not winning games and things aren't great then obviously people will get frustrated.”

“It doesn't help anybody when fans get disgruntled, that doesn't help the team but nine times out of 10 the majority of the fans are with us, they'll stay with us and I can't fault them.”

Hess continued, "Fans want to win football matches like the players do and I do. When that doesn't happen an element of frustration will creep in, we just need to make sure we start the game right for them and show we're up for it ourselves."

HEREFORD GAME OFF DUE TO FROZEN PRIESTFIELD

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:19:44 +0000

The League Two game between Gills and Hereford United has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. Referee assessor Paul Alcock made the early decision this morning to prevent the Hereford squad from travelling.

YOUNG GILLS DEFENDERS TO FACE THE BULLS?

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 23:06:51 +0000

Providing the weather allows the game to go ahead, Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler could be set to make changes to the Gills defensive line-up for the home fixture against Hereford United this coming Saturday.

There are a number of concerns within the squad that has prompted the Gills boss, after his period of indecision, to recall young defenders Connor Essam (top) and Jack Evans (bottom) from their loan spells at Dartford and Welling respectively.

Darts manager, Tony Burman confirmed late on Thursday that due to a ‘growing injury crisis’ at Gillingham FC, Connor Essam will be called back to the Club with immediate effect. Tony also thanked young Connor for his contributions at Dartford and wished him the very best for the future.

Andy Hess commented on the official site, "Simon King won't be available. We've had to look after him this week; he needs two injections in his ankle that he needs to be able to carry on for the rest of the season. Jack Payne is also doubtful.”

Hess continued, “Matt Lawrence is fresh after resting him so he comes back into contention. He's played a lot of games and 37 years old but he'll keep going because he's a fit lad.”

HEREFORD GAME CURRENTLY SAFE FROM WEATHER

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:27:18 +0000

Saturday’s Priestfield game against Hereford United appears to be safe from disruption from the worsening weather according to Head Grounds man John Plummer (pictured right).

The weather forecast suggests that overnight temperatures could drop to -2 on Friday but experienced John believes the prospects for Saturday's game against the Bulls are good.

With the temperatures dropping rapidly the Gills grounds man took the wise decision to cover the pitch during Monday and his prompt action has currently avoid serious frost on the playing surface.

JACK PAYNE DOUBTFUL TO FACE IN-FORM HEREFORD

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 23:07:03 +0000

In what could be a season defining game, the Gills team to face Hereford United on Saturday could be missing young influential midfielder Jack Payne (left)due to an ankle injury sustained in the Accrington Stanley match when he was substituted at half time.

Gills manager Andy Hess commented to KentOnLine, "Jack got a nasty kick on Saturday and will be 50-50 for the weekend." However, Chris Whelpdale, who missed the trip to Crown Ground altogether last weekend could fill the gap having recovered from a knee injury and has been training with the squad this week.

Striker Dennis Oli is training for a possible Saturday substitute appearance after recovering from concussion and some really good news for the Gils boss as midfielder Danny Spiller has also resumed full training after nearly five months out of first team action.

YOUNG GAZZANIGA READY FOR PRIESTFIELD DEBUT

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:10:02 +0000

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler looks set to drop his first choice goalkeeper Ross Flitney and replace with young Argentinean, Paulo Gazzaniga (pictured left) for the visit of Hereford United to Priestfield on Saturday.

With 29 games on the substitute’s bench this season and with the second half 45 minutes at Accrington under his belt, 19-year-old Paulo is all set for a home League debut at last.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler told kentnews.co.uk, “Paulo’s got every chance. I think people saw the statement I made at half-time (at Stanley). There are not many managers who would take their goalkeeper off after 45 minutes but I just felt it was the right thing to do to throw him in. He’s 19 years old and has everything to be a top goalkeeper.”

YOUNG GAZZANIGA READY FOR PRIESTFIELD DEBUT

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:12:28 +0000

OLIVER LEE JOINS THE ANDY HESS BLUE ARMY

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:25:14 +0000

The Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler has a total 30 professionals to choose from on his books + one on trial.

With defensive problems evident in recent games the Gills boss has heeded advice from former assistant manager Ian Hendon and is looking at another midfielder, Oliver Lee (right), from West Ham who arrived on Tuesday for a weeks trial.

GILLS CAPTAIN ANDY FRAMPTON OFFERS NO EXCUSES

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:47:11 +0000

A subdued Gills captain, Andy Frampton, in an interview directly following the Accrington Stanley defeat said, "We are bitterly disappointed and were awful in the first half.”

“We had no excuses, we were well below par to what we wanted from our trip."

There was an improvement in the Gills performance in the second half and Frampton commented, “We went out to prove how we can play and how we should have played in the first half”.

The full interview can be seen on GillsPlayer.

GILLS MANAGER INSISTS - I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:04:56 +0000

Gills beleaguered manager Andy Hessenthaler has said in a revealing interview on the official site, "I am the manager. I have managed for over 300 games and I am not inexperienced, I know what I am doing.”
Andy’s record, up to and including last Saturday, in his second spell as Gills manager is shown below.

Andy Hess still clings to the hope and believes that the Gills can win automatic promotion this season - but states the obvious that they have to improve on their current form. (Click for story on the remaining Gills 19 games).

GILLS MANAGER INSISTS - I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:20:09 +0000

GILLS HEADING FOR 19th NERVOUS BREAKDOWN

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:47:03 +0000

Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler said before the Accrington game that, "There are 20 wars to go, 60 points up for grabs and it’s still all to play for. We can’t be angry any more. We have to get on with it and have another challenge now.”

The result was nul points for the Gills and there are now 19 games left – as the Rolling Stones said in 1965 – “Here comes your nine-teenth nervous breakdown”.

The chart below shows the Gills progress in the current season and the result of their previous campaigns.

ANDY HESS: IF THEY DON’T LISTEN THEY WON’T PLAY

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:14:08 +0000

A distraught Andy Hessenthaler, talking to Matt Cole from BBC Radio Kent at the final whistle following the game at Accrington, couldn’t believe how little his players had learnt from last weeks’ dire defensive display against AFC Wimbledon.

“We had a chat last week about the game and worked this week on defending as a group. Then today we basically went out there and did the opposite to what we’ve done all week.”

“ It’s just crazy and we’re pretty much speechless at half-time because we didn’t see that coming off the back of last week really.”

HESS PROMISES PAYBACK TIME FOR THE GILLS FANS

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:50:48 +0000

Around five o’clock this afternoon at a bitterly cold Crown Ground at Accrington the defeated Gills players trooped off to the changing room after an all-round shambolic performance, particularly in the first half, which was not worthy of the Gills colours.

Gills manager Andy Hessenther has been quick to make a gesture to the 261 fans that still arrived to support despite early pitch inspections that could have cancelled the game, and the biting wind, to watch Gills concede four before half time.

Andy Hess spoke to Radio Kent after this disappointing loss quickly promising fans who had travelled to Accrington that their money will be refunded and that some of the cash will come out of the players' pockets.