Stuart O’Keefe’s time at Gillingham could well be coming to an end, with that in mind we take a look at five potential destinations for the Gills’ captain.
Ooooh yes! It’s that wonderful time of season, will they stay will they go? For some players the end of their contact spells a chance to move higher, a chance to try something new but for some it can spell the end of an era if you will!
Stuart O’Keefe’s time with Gillingham has certainly had its ups & downs but it looks like it could be the end of the road for the Gills current captain. Although in recent times Shaun Williams seems to have taken on that role from him, as O’Keefe’s injury issues and form have been keeping him out of the new look Gills side.
With his contract up the end of the season, it looks like he will be moving on from the club! For me and I’m sure many Gillingham fans O’Keefe is one of those players you wish could be at his best forever, one of footballs real hard men who on his day can walk into any team but unfortunately as he gets older we seem to see less and less of that player but will it be retirement for the Midfielder? I certainly hope not let’s take a look at some of the sides I think would benefit from bringing him in on a deal for next season!
Rochdale
Probably not where you thought I was going to start, but hear me out! Who really knows what’s happened at Rochdale this season, although many of the fans still hope for the great escape it looks like the club are in for a drop down to the National League, as much as I hope that can turn it around!
This only really becomes an option if Dale are to drop down to the National League. I genuinely believe O’Keefe would prove a really valuable asset to the club, a natural leader, which they will need if they are to change the mindset of not only the dressing room but the club as a whole. O’Keefe played a vital part in helping Gillingham almost stay in League One last season! He would be exactly the player I’d be trying to get in if I was at Rochdale planning for next season to mix in with those younger players to ensure an instant return to the football league for Dale.
Dagenham & Redbridge
A bit closer to Kent this one, pretty safe to say that the Daggers will be in the National League yet again next season! I don’t think much is needed to be said on this one, O’Keefe’s experience will be a huge benefit to any club in the National League.
It’s my belief that Matt Robinson will be on the move in the summer to somewhere higher, potentially even moving to a Football League club for me O’Keefe could be the perfect replacement not only will he do a job on the pitch, will also be a perfect role model for the next generation of Daggers midfielders coming through.
Crawley Town
Another one that could drop to the National League next season, but this one I’d say could be a good move even if they don’t go down! Still only 32 O’Keefe definitely still has a lot to give any team, although in recent times has been plagued with injury issues.
This one is a real long shot, I’d say the club need someone that’s going to go in and give the club a bit of a wobble. Say what you want about O’Keefe he’s a proper professional and whatever is going on a Crawley they need some experience to replace the ones they’ve sold on or just stopped playing!
The ship can be saved at Crawley and I think bringing in someone of O’Keefe’s personality will help fix the culture that has taken a hit since Wagmi United came in.
Notts County
Currently top of the National League, pushing to get back into the EFL after four years away! Four years is a long time in football and a lot has changed since Notts last played league football.
Now look, I highly doubt O’Keefe will go in and start every game, at Notts or wherever he ends up but he brings more than just what he does on the pitch. There’s a common theme here and that’s leadership, but not only that he knows the league, he knows what’s needed and that could prove invaluable should Notts be plying their trade in the EFL next season.
Southend United
Back to where it all began for O’Keefe, a club in need of a bit of a good news story with everything happening off the pitch.
For me this is the pick of the bunch, not too far for him to relocate from Kent, back to where it started for him, I have no doubt he would be one of the best at National League level, not much more to say seems this would be a perfect fit for both club and player.
Well there’s my five, where do you think O’Keefe will end up?
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Writers View
I’ll make no attempt to hide the fact I have a soft spot when it comes to O’Keefe, for me I want him to go anywhere he’s going to get some minutes and have a swansong to a fantastic career! But a small part of me wants him to stay on another year at the Gills and be in the background of the rebuild, yes he wouldn’t get many minutes but having a character like that who knows exactly what I means to play for Gillingham and what this club means to us fans is invaluable.
As much as I’m sure fresh faces will continue to come in under the stewardship of Bradley Galinson at Priestfield, I think it’s important to not change too much and keeping heads like O’Keefe that just get what it means to be Gillingham will be valuable if the Gills are to live up to the high expectations of the fans for next season.
