Gills chief planning for September return

Gillingham

The start date for the 2020/21 Football League season has been confirmed.

Gillingham will be back in league action on the weekend of September 12. The season will conclude on May 8/9, 2021 with the play-offs reverting back to the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May.

It’s the news fans have been waiting for.

But supporters are unlikely to be able to watch the opening few matches, as crowds aren’t currently allowed into stadiums. That might only change from October onwards.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally welcomed the news, saying: “It’s great news that we are returning to playing football.

“There are still obstacles to overcome but hopefully, all being well, we can get crowds back in the stadium in October.”

The club had been unwilling to hand out new contracts until they knew when they would be playing again but Friday’s announcement gives them the opportunity to now get their work under way. They have 50 days from the announcement before the season begins.

It’s going to be a busy few weeks for the Gills’ management as they have a squad to assemble. They only have nine senior players on contract and two of those – Lee Hodson and Barry Fuller – are available for transfer.

Evans does, however, have plenty of potential deals lined up, with two players from last season’s squad, Brandon Hanlan and Mikael Mandron, waiting on offers as well. Fixtures are to be released “in due course” say the EFL.

The Championship season has only just ended with Charlton Athletic, Wigan Athletic and Hull City finishing in the bottom three. They will form part of League 1 next season.