Gillingham

Smith anguish at Gillingham exit
Gillingham captain Paul Smith says turning down the club's offer of a new contract was one of the hardest decision he has made in his career. The 33-year-old rejected the chance to sign a deal which would have lowered his wages by about 70%. Smith told BBC Radio Kent: "I couldn't afford to take that contract but it was a decision that didn't come easily. "I knew it would be tough when I turned down the contract but it was something I had to do."

Bossu is released by Gillingham
Gillingham have released goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu after he failed to turn up for pre-season training. The Frenchman, 24, was the third-choice at Priestfield last season as the Gills were relegated from the Championship on the last day of the season. He has recently been in talks with Darlington over a move. Meanwhile boss Neale Cooper has told Jason Brown and Steve Banks that new boy Tony Bullock will not necessarily be the club's number one goalkeeper.

Ashby denies wage row with Gills
Former Gillingham defender Barry Ashby has insisted he did not leave the League One club because of excessive wage demands. "I've read that due to my wage demands, I haven't signed a contract. Far from it," he told BBC Radio Kent. "They had all summer to get in contact with me. We spoke briefly during the summer. Three days before the start of the season I got contacted. "At no point was there a contract offer in writing on the table for me."

Gills snap up defender Williams
Gillingham have signed left-back Tom Williams from League One rivals Barnsley on a free transfer. The 25-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Priestfield outfit who were relegated last season. Williams is manager Neale Cooper's second summer signing and the del with Barnsley includes a sell-on clause. The defender started out at West Ham but moved on without appearing for the Hammers and he has also had spells at Peterborough, Birmingham City and QPR.

Saddlers complete Smith signing
Walsall have signed former Gillingham captain Paul Smith. The 33-year-old has agreed a two-year contract which will start on 1 August when his current deal with the Priestfield club expires. He left the Priestfield club after turning down the offer of a new contract on reduced wages. Smith, who played 391 games for the Gills, joined Gillingham from Brentford in 1997 and was the club's player-of-the-year a record four times.

Gillingham sign defender Jackman
Gillingham have acquired former Aston Villa trainee Danny Jackman. The 22-year-old defender impressed during a trial with the Gills and has agreed a two-year contract. Stockport paid £70,000 to sign Jackman from Villa in 2003 and last season he made 35 appearances and scored two goals for the club. Jackman's performances at left-back had attracted the interest of Bournemouth and Yeovil, who he nearly joined on transfer deadline day.

Cooper planning further signings
Gillingham manager Neale Cooper hopes to add to his squad before the new League season starts on 6 August. New signing Danny Jackman made his debut in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Cambridge, with fellow new boys Tony Bullock and Tom Williams also on show. "That's three in now, and I hope to add another three or four before the season starts," Cooper told the club website. "I'll have a look at a few more trialists next week, and hopefully we'll be able to strengthen further." Parys Okai had put Cambridge ahead, with Darren Byfield levelling with a deflected shot.

Smith wanted to stay with Gills
Former Gillingham captain Paul Smith made a last minute attempt to stay at the club just before he joined Walsall. Smith, 34, signed a two-year deal with the Saddlers after turning down offers from Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers. "I made sure all avenues had been searched, to see if a compromise could be reached for me to stay as I didn't want to leave," he told BBC Radio Kent. "I didn't want to sign for another club thinking that we didn't try to sort out a deal but we couldn't agree." "Right up to the death I was trying to stay, but it was no good, so I had to act and get something sorted sooner rather than later."

Boss wants Johnson to toughen up
Gillingham manager Neale Cooper has called on defender Leon Johnson to toughen up and stake a claim for a regular first-team place this season. "He is too laid back and needs to get that bit of aggression in his game," Cooper told BBC Radio Kent. "I spoke to Leon and you can't be a big nice boy as a centre-back. You've got to be a bully in the right manner. "It's all very well being laid back off the park, but you can't be like it on the pitch." Johnson, 24, has started just 32 games in three seasons since joining the Gills from Southend in August 2002.

Gills boss satisfied with display
Gillingham manager Neale Cooper says his side reached the standards that he expects in Tuesday's 2-2 draw in the friendly against Millwall. Cooper told BBC Radio Kent: "This display was much better than previous games and is what I'm looking for. "After the Cambridge match we needed to improve, and this was 100% better. "It takes time to gel as a unit. I'm involved in a rebuilding job and I'm pleased with the performance and the way we went about it."

Ashikodi completes Gills switch
Gillingham have completed the loan signing of West Ham and England youth striker Moses Ashikodi. The 18-year-old has joined until the end of December. The former Millwall trainee will play in the reserves against QPR on Tuesday and could make the squad for Saturday's match against Bournemouth. "There were quite a few clubs after him. He's a decent player, he's fit and he works hard," boss Neale Cooper told the club's website.

Gillingham 1-0 Oxford Utd
Matt Jarvis scored a late winner as Gillingham saw off the challenge of Oxford in the Carling Cup. Jarvis struck from close range with seven minutes left after good approach work from Darren Byfield. Gillingham wasted numerous chances, with Oxford keeper Chris Tardif making saves to deny Jarvis, Byfield and substitute Andy Hessenthaler. Oxford came close but Gills keeper Jason Brown saved from Rob Hughes, Danny Morgan and Craig Davies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gillingham: Brown, Rose, Cox, Hope, Jackman, Jarvis, Pouton (Hessenthaler 61), Flynn, Crofts, Byfield, Claridge (Sancho 90). Subs Not Used: Knowles, Corneille, Shields. Goals: Jarvis 83. Oxford Utd: Tardif, Mansell, Stirling, Roget, Robinson, Quinn, Bradbury (Beechers 89), Gray, Hughes (Hackett 73), Morgan, Davies (Basham 73). Subs Not Used: Ashton, Turley. Att: 4,149 Ref: M Thorpe (Suffolk).

Cooper delighted at new arrival
Gillingham manager Neale Cooper has high hopes that France Under-21 international Anthony Scaramozzino will have a big impact at the club. The 20-year-old left-back has arrived from French side Nice on a season-long loan deal. "Sometimes you have to take a chance. He's a good lad, good physique and good quality," Cooper told Sir Stanley. "He gives us that cover but he won't be just cover if he's as good as people say he is."

Hope dumbfounded by Gills defeat
Gillingham captain Chris Hope said he was "shell shocked" after the 3-0 home defeat to Barnsley and described the result was an injustice. "I've never felt like that at half time, to totally dominate a game and go in 2-0 down," Hope told Sir Stan. "We are a team who attack and defend together and we've got to start getting the ball in the back of the net. "It wasn't a 3-0. The lads are gutted. The gaffer wanted a response but it wasn't for the want of trying."

Cox calls for support from fans
Defender Ian Cox hopes Gillingham's fans can get behind them this weekend, after they were booed off after Tuesday's 3-0 defeat by Barnsley. "We have got a lot of youngsters in the team, and they need all the help we can get, especially as we are going through a bad patch," he told the club website. "The supporters act as the 12th man and we need them to get behind us. "Fair play to those have got behind us over the past few weeks, because to a certain extent, we have let them down."

View Full Version: Gillingham