Evans above the rest
Gillingham
Gillingham look to have their sights set on Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans.
League 2 side Mansfield denied Gills the opportunity to talk to their manager on Tuesday but that’s unlikely to put them off.
Gills chairman Paul Scally has been here before, prising Justin Edinburgh away from Newport and Mark Stimson from the clutches of Stevenage before that.
The Gills were refusing to comment on the speculation earlier in the week, saying it was “inappropriate” to do so
r Scally is known to have been an admirer of Evans for some time, despite a couple of controversial episodes involving the Gills. Back in 2011, Evans filed a complaint with police over being racially abused by Gills’ then- manager Andy Hessenthaler.
That was later dropped and Hessenthaler insisted he wasn’t holding a grudge.
Police also investigated chants from Gills fans aimed at Evans, who by 2014 was manager of Rotherham.
That led to three arrests but all were released without charge.
While Evans, 54, may be a controversial figure at times, he boasts a couple of promotions with Crawley and Rotherham.
Current interim boss Peter Taylor, who is also director of football at the Gills, said after Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy 1- 0 win over Colchester, that he was unaware of any approach for Evans.
He said: “All I know is the chairman and myself have been speaking about lots of different candidates.”
Former boss Martin Allen, who led the Gills to the League 2 title in 2013, is also understood to be interested in taking on the job.
He’s been out of work since a short spell at non-league Eastleigh. Before that he led Barnet to the Conference title and boasts a track record of getting teams out of relegation trouble.
There is no shortage of possible candidates, although Tonbridge boss Steve McKimm is devastated for Damian Scannell after the midfielder’s retirement through injury. Cambridge United boss Shaun Derry recently distanced Scannell, 32, has called himself from a switch to the time on his playing career Gills. after learning he needs an
Former Gillingham player operation to fix a complex Micky Adams, an experienced groin/hip issue. manager, was in the crowd Surgery would keep him out on Tuesday night while for at least 10 months and, Maidstone boss Jay Saunders with work to consider, the watched last midweek’s game former Southend man had a against Scunthorpe. decision to make.
– beaten 1- 0 at McKimm said: “I’m Blackburn last Saturday in devastated for Damian. League 1 – are down to the bare He’s only 32 and as fit as bones defensively for Sunday’s anything. television clash (2.30pm) with “But you’ve got to look at Portsmouth. family life and your career
Centre-back Gabriel Zakuani and he has a new business will be involved in DR Congo’s which. he’s building up. World Cup qualifier againstM “He set up a gym a year ago Libya on Saturday. and has built up a load of
Gills are already without clients in his first year and is Luke O’Neill (hamstring) and doing well. Knowing the sort Alex Lacey (ankle). of person he is, he will move that on and make it bigger and better. “If it was an established business you could maybe have the op straight away and be out of action but he can’t afford to do that. “Short-term he’ll be OK getting by without the operation but down the line he will need to get it done.” Angels are in talks with two possible replacements but won’t be rushed. McKimm said: “Whoever comes in has got to fit Tonbridge Angels, not the other way round. “People either want to play for us or they don’t – we don’t go begging people.” Tonbridge drew 0- 0 at home to Margate on Tuesday night, following a 2-1 defeat at Kingstonian last weekend – Callum AdonisTaylor scoring in the last minute. They’re 10th in the Bostik Premier going into Saturday’s home game against Wingate & Finchley.