There are several dates that football fans mark on their calendars, one of them will be the day their club normally announces their retained list.
With the end of the season fast approaching, conversations are already happening among fans on who their club should keep and who should they let move on to pastures new. Today, I’ll be taking a look at Gillingham and the players they have coming to the end of their contracts this year.
It’s been a season of two halves for the Gills, pre Christmas it looked like the trap door to the National League were lurking in the future. But a huge upturn in form under the new ownership has seen them steer clear of the relegation zone and secure League Two football for another season.
For many fans, the focus has already turned to the summer transfer window and the potential arrivals through the doors at Priestfield. With Head of Recruitment Andy Hessenthaler already confirming that “5/6 players” are to come through the doors. The Galinson era certainly started with a bang with 10 players coming through the doors in January.
But before we get too carried away with who could come in, the club need to resolve the futures of those already in the door. With that, in mind, I’ve had a look at the players due to depart Priestfield this summer and given my verdict on who should stay and who should go.
David Tutonda – Release
Tutonda splits opinion among the Gills fans but for me, I think it’s time to part ways. On his day he does look like a very good player but he always looks like he has a mistake in him.
His performances are very Jekyll and Hyde, you never really know which Tutonda is going to turn up on game day. If Gillingham are going to be challenging towards the top end next season, they will need to look elsewhere in the left-back department.
Shaun Williams – Keep
If I had been writing this piece pre-Christmas, it would look very different. But alas since the turn of the year, Williams has been absolutely outstanding, a true leader in this Gillingham side.
His performances have epitomised what it means to be a Gillingham player, fighting for the badge and leaving it all on the pitch. I have a genuine belief that his turnaround was the most important part of the Gillingham revival under the Galinsons.
We have to do everything we can to keep him at the club, it’s well-documented where Gillingham want to be next season. In order to do that you need leaders and people like Williams in your dressing room. His performances on the pitch have earned him a new deal alone, but the other benefits that he comes with are the reason for me, he needs to be tied into a new deal as soon as possible.
Alex MacDonald – Keep
As revealed earlier in the week, MacDonald has already been offered a new deal with the club. A smart move by Gillingham, like Williams he has been one of the players that have seen an upturn in form since the Galinsons took over the club.
Since the new arrivals, he’s really shown his worth playing in a number of different positions. He’s also starting to form a very fruitful partnership with new boy Tom Nicholls.
Football is a squad game, especially down in the EFL. Having players like MacDonald that can play a number of positions and play with real quality when called upon, will be vital for Gillingham to push the top half next season.
Stuart O’Keefe – Release
This one hurts, this one really hurts. My heart wants to say keep, but my head says release. O’Keefe joined the club back in 2019 and went on to become club captain and a vital part of the Gills side.
Like Williams, on his day he is the model Gillingham player, but recently those days have been few and far between.
131 total appearances for the Gills, but this season he has only managed 27 in all competitions and hasn’t featured in Neil Harris’s squad since the beginning of March. He is the current club captain although Shaun Williams seems to have taken over that role in his absence.
It’s sad to say, but I think it’s time the club parted ways. Ultimately what we want to see is O’Keefe back on a football pitch and I don’t think he will be able to do that at Gillingham anymore.
Lewis Page – Keep
Joined the Gills back in March 2023 on a short-term deal and has found game time hard to come by. But from what I’ve seen of him he looks to be a very good player.
Not much more to say about him, given the limited minutes, but would be a good player to have in and around the squad for depth.
Jordan Green – Release
There was a real buzz around the arrival of Jordan Green to Priestfield. A pacy creative winger that will commit his men and get you up off your feet. Unfortunately, we’ve not seen any of that this season from him.
I can’t put my finger on why it hasn’t worked out for him, he just simply looks out of his depth. I think in the right system, with the right style Green could thrive in League Two.
But the writing is on the wall at Gillingham, with better players already in the squad like Jayden Clarke, and Alex MacDonald, with more likely to come in, it’s time for Green to find somewhere new to ply his trade.
It was also confirmed back in January by Gills’ boss Neil Harris, that Green wouldn’t feature for him again.
Glenn Morris – Keep
No explanation needed, for many people he has been Player of The Season for the club, joined the club officially in January after spending the start of the year on loan from Crawley. At 39 some would question if Morris can still do it at this level. I assure you he can.
Ageing like the finest of wines, the club need to do absolutely everything they can to keep him here next season. Not only are his performances top quality the learning opportunities for Jake Turner (who I believe will be Gillingham’s number one when Morris is to go) are unmatched.
Ben Reeves – Release
Another one that hurts to say, was a key player in our fight to stay up last year. When we managed to keep him at the club for this season, I was excited to see a player of such ability play at this level.
Unfortunately, that isn’t how it worked out for Reeves, although he started the season bright, he wasn’t setting the world on fire. He picked up a slight knock early on in the season which kept him out for a few weeks, after coming back again it was more of decent performances but nothing special.
But on Boxing Day 2022, Reeves’ season came to an end due to a knee injury, suffered in the game against Colchester United. I don’t think he could have got more unlucky if he tried, we’ll never know, but I believe he would have thrived in the side we have now and that he like MacDonald and Williams would have seen a huge upturn in form.
Writers View
Head over heart is how it has to be when it comes to his time of year. It breaks my heart to even suggest seeing players like Stuart O’Keefe leave the club but ultimately I know and we know it’s the right decision.
I just hope we get the chance to say a proper goodbye and thank you to O’Keefe for the service he has given us while at the club.
As for the others, my feelings are pretty clear. I sit on the fence with Reeves as keeping him around the squad might not be the worst thing in the world but let’s be honest that’s my heart talking.
