Smith switch
New Folkestone striker David Smith insists joining the club was a ‘no-brainer’ following his move from Ashford
United at the weekend.
The 21-year-old, who helped fire the Nuts & Bolts to second in Isthmian South East last season with 23 goals in all competitions, admits the opportunity to challenge himself in what will be his first taste of step three football was something he simply couldn’t resist. “There were a few offers from other clubs, some even at a higher level, but I wanted to go somewhere where I have the opportunity to play as many games as I did last year,” Smith said.
“During the past few years, Folkestone have been good at helping young players like Ira and Harry Smith improve and get into higher leagues, which says a lot about the club and the way they play. “The team go forward quickly and use the attackers a lot and that’s why I felt it was the right place to go.”
Gillingham boss Steve Evans admits he’s facing the biggest challenge of his football career this summer.
A flurry of recent signings has boosted the size of his squad after returning from lockdown with just a handful of senior pros on the books.
Evans watched captain Max Ehmer depart to League 1 rivals Bristol Rovers while the division’s newboys Crewe landed striker Mikael Mandron, who he wanted to keep after showing promise last season. The Gills boss also admitted to missing out on midfielder James Jones who joined Lincoln City. The Scot had to stay patient while a date for the new season was announced but since then a number of new and exciting names have turned up at Priestfield.
He’s trying to assemble a squad capable of beating their 10th place finish last season but League 1 look stronger than it has been in many years while Evans wheels and deals to put a squad together on one of the lowest budgets.
He said: “This is probably the most difficult challenge that I have ever faced as a manager, when you consider that, while we are in the same as every other club and person with the Covid situation, we had eight players, it is a rebuild.
“It is a big challenge to put a group together and on top of all that I don’t think it is any secret that we don’t have the resources of many in this league. It is probably the most difficult challenge ever.
“We turned up for pre-season with eight players and two kids. It is the most difficult challenge that we have faced but we will be ready for it.
“One thing that Gills fans know is that I haven’t been a manager for as long as I have