AUDITION PAYS OFF AS STEVE LANDS TOP JOB
GILLINGHAM chairman Paul Scally hopes the appointment of Steve Lovell can help put a torrid start to the season behind them.
Lovell took over as interim boss following the sacking of Ady Pennock in September, after the 46year-old won just one game in two months, and Peter Taylor having a go as caretaker boss.
And following a successful stint as temporary boss, Lovell has been given the job on a permanent basis until the end of the season. Scally hopes his appointment can herald a new era at the Kent club.
He said: “There is still a fair amount of tension at home games and that is understandable, fans haven’t had a lot to shout about in the last 12 months.
“We need to get behind the team and get the anxiety banished for the rest of the season because anxiety on the terrace transmits to anxiety on the team and that makes it more difficult for the players.
“Ady is a good guy but fortunately Steve has come in and done it a different way and whatever he has done has had a massive impact on the team.
“That is all credit to Steve and therefore I think he deserves at least until the end of the season, if not longer, to see what he can do as the manager now.”
Scally admits he was left surprised by the impact Lovell has made at the club and hopes the former Welsh international will keep Gillingham in the division.
He said: “I think he has pleasantly surprised me and I am pleased he surprised me.
“He is a great guy to work with, he cares about the club.
“First things first, let’s get this season done, make sure we get a good result, let’s get the fans enjoying what they are seeing and let’s hope we end up a good position this season and push on for next.”