Gillingham announced their retained list this afternoon, despite not currently having a first-team manager.
Having sacked Steve Lovell at the end of last season they’re without a gaffer, but they’ve still been able to sort through the squad and release a handful of players.
The one shock on the list is keeper Tom Hadler, the 22-year-old not doing enough to be offered a new deal. Fans believe he had something to offer, especially as number one Tomas Holy is likely to leave in the summer.
They’ve also offered leading scorer Tom Eaves a new deal, but he too is expected to depart Priestfield when his contract expires.
In all they’re letting six players go; Luke O’Neill, Alex Lacey, Billy Bingham, Ryan Huckle, Louie Catherall and keeper Hadler.
They’ve also offered professional contracts to TJ Bramble, Roman Campbell, Joe Walsh and Miquel Scarlett, whilst George Sheminant, Jude Arthurs and Charles Noyelle have been released after completing their scholarships.
Fans have reacted on Twitter, pleased at the clear out but wondering if they might regret letting Hadler go.
https://twitter.com/EDDIE_1974/status/1130481795030540288
Interesting that the club already advised that Bradley Stevenson has agreed a new deal. Perhaps a further announcement awaits…
— Andy P (@andyp_19) May 20, 2019
Many thanks goes to all players leaving the club and I wish you well for the future.
— Laura P ♊️🌈🏴🇬🇧 (@LauraP_71) May 20, 2019
@TomHadler1 wow shocked they let u go
— ShaunWooding (@Shaun_Wooding) May 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/bullneck1982/status/1130481766068830210
Surprised Hadler’s been released, given the possibility of losing Holy too
— Inky Fingers (@InkyFing) May 20, 2019
So basically when Eaves and Holy leave we’re keeping no one 😂
— Jack Gracie (@J_G31) May 20, 2019
Impressive!! Clear the decks!!
— Dean (@deanmcbeano) May 20, 2019
Shame about O'Neill (albeit known already) but other than that pretty much agree with it all.
Would be nice to get Ogilvie & Lopes back though.— NigeG (@gray_nige) May 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/lillegs85/status/1130484639041241088
