League Two side Gillingham have confirmed that 32-year-old club captain Stuart O’Keefe has played his final game for the club, manager Neil Harris has confirmed.
The English midfielder has been with the Gills since 2019, following his release from Cardiff City. Since joining, he has gone on to make 112 appearances for the club, scoring four goals.
Despite being a long-serving name with the club, as well as being their club captain, the midfielder has struggled to remain in the side this season and has not been seen in the side since February.
Manager Neil Harris has today confirmed that O’Keefe has played his last game for the club, but still believes the 32-year-old has a future in the game.
Playing career
The 32-year-old has featured for a number of clubs, his first senior professional club being Southend United where he spent two years between 2008 and 2010.
Prior to Southend, he would be part of the youth setup at Ipswich Town between 2001-2007, however, the club would decide against offering him a scholarship and he would make the switch to Southend.
He moved on to Crystal Palace in 2010, spending five years with the club, which only saw him make 36 appearances. A loan spell with Blackpool only saw him appear four times.
In 2015, he would make another move to the Welsh capital joining Cardiff City, across four years, he would make 38 appearances for Cardiff, joining three different clubs on loan, MK Dons, Portsmouth and Plymouth.
Following his release from Cardiff, the midfielder joined up with the Gills and has been a staple within their team, making 112 appearances for the club.
High praise.
Gillingham manager Neil Harris has been full of praise for the midfielder, stating his belief that his captain still has a future in the game.
Speaking highly of the Englishman he spoke about his impact on the team and how much he has helped him, especially in the first part of this season, both on and off the pitch.
“He held us together in the first half of the season, when times were tough, off the pitch too. Wherever he goes next year he’ll be a credit to them.”
Last season, following a contract extension he signed in May 2021, he was part of the Gillingham team that was relegated from League One and was named the clubs player of the season.
Difficult season.
Despite featuring on 20 occasions for the club this season, O’Keefe has had somewhat of a difficult season with the Gills. He has not started in a match-day squad since February, despite being their club captain.
His last start in a Gillingham shirt came on 28th February, when the club fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bradford City. Since then, he was an unused substitute in the following fixture against Harrogate Town but has not been named in a match-day squad since.
Only on seven occasions this season has the midfielder been able to complete a full 90 minutes, with six of his 20 appearances coming from the bench.
What’s been said?
Manager Neil Harris has confirmed that Stuart O’Keefe will be departing the club this summer having played his final game in a Gillingham shirt.Â
The League Two season comes to a head this Monday, with the midfielder not expected to be a part of the squad again as Gillingham travel to Salford City.
“He is going to leave us in the summer for pastures new,”
“He deserves a special mention, he’s my club captain and he’s been absolutely outstanding, but it’s time for him to have a change.
“He’s a great lad. The first person his new club will phone for a reference is me and he’ll get a glowing reference because he’s been a top captain and is still a top player.”
Writers View
O’Keefe has enjoyed a mixed career, with some unsuccessful loan spells, as well as some releases both on his resume.
One thing is clear, he enjoyed his best time with Gillingham and it certainly seems he will be a missed figure within the club.
Another thought that can be taken away from this is that given his manager’s comments, whichever club lands his services this summer will be enjoying a very talented player.
But his lack of time in the squad seems to go against some of the comments that Harris has made, if he could still perform, why are the club not retaining him? And what explains his absence for so long?
