Gillingham seem to have scored a major own goal with their fans this weekend, as popular manager Steve Lovell has been sacked with two games to go.
Lovell wasn’t loved by everyone, the club have struggled to press on this season, but he’s widely regarded as a nice guy who has managed to secure safety a couple of games earlier than last season.
That hasn’t been enough to keep him his job, which hasn’t proven popular. even more worrying for the Gills fans is the presence of Steve Evans at their recent games.
The sacked Peterborough boss does not seem to be a popular figure at Gillingham, nor in football as a whole, but he keeps popping up in jobs without every having proven anything, unless it’s been bought for him.
The Gills fans have been on Twitter, seething that he might be turning up at their club. Some want to throw their season ticket at him, others are planning to protest.
Will it do any good? Rogue owners seem to do what they want, when they want and although Paul Scally hasn’t fallen into this bracket up until now, if he appoints Steve Evans it’s going to make him very unpopular indeed.
Not quite Ken Anderson or Roland Duchatelet unpopular, but enough for the club to suffer as a result.
Here’s some of the angry messages from Twitter this morning.
Scally wants more fans at Priestfield But why would you want to go with such a plank in charge of the club
— Ian Bennett (@bernifresh) April 27, 2019
Genuine question: Do you think if the fans make their feelings known during this afternoon's game that they definitely don't want Evans as manager, will Scally take any notice? Do you think he'd be influenced by a protest?
— The Arrow (@GreenArrow100) April 27, 2019
This is a shocking decision
Steve has done an excellent job with limited resources, leading us from almost certain relegation to a mid table finish this season.
Appointing Steve Evans, a convicted criminal, as a replacement would just make this decision even more shocking.
— Ed Wheatcroft (@edwheatcroft1) April 26, 2019
Seriously question – in light of this news can I get a refund on the season ticket I’ve just renewed (for the 41st time) should a certain individual who’s been hanging around recently is appointed as Steve’s long term replacement #Gills
— Gary Payne (@GaryAndrewPayne) April 26, 2019
If it is Evans, I'm tempted to go to first home game & chuck my season book to him when he waddles out for kick-off, then walk straight out of the stadium.
— @lilakgillsbhoy@mastodon.ie 💜💙💚 (@lilakgillsbhoy) April 26, 2019
Just as well I haven’t renewed my season ticket. Many thanks “Lovers” for giving us another season in League 1 next season! Please don’t appoint Evans otherwise you’ll lose the supporters yet again!!
— Justin Foote (@jfoote4) April 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/kendrick_ted/status/1121823951255212032
Terrible timing. Thanks for all your work Steve Lovell….Scally for the love of God DO NOT GIVE THE JOB TO STEVE EVANS.
— Colin Bassett (@bertiethegills) April 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/GeorginaLee/status/1121824037045452800
