FORGET PAY CUT, I WANT A TITLE!
JAMIE O’HARA says he turned down a new deal at Fulham – and took a pay cut in the process – to try to win League One with Gillingham.
Justin Edinburgh has pieced together a side ready for a stab at promotion. Last week, he lured QPR striker Jay-Emmanuel Thomas on a season-long loan and also added veteran Paul Konchesky, 35, and Bradford’s Billy Knott.
O’Hara could hold the key and, considering Fulham didn’t want to let the 29-year-old go, Gills’ recent business may put them up there as title contenders.
If they can get a return to English football’s second tier for the first time since 2005, he’ll at least keep the peace with the family.
O’Hara said: “My cousin Graham is a big fan of the club.
“He’s a season ticket holder so the pressure is on to keep him happy! I have a few family members and friends who watch Millwall every week, too, so those games will be even more interesting.
“There’s something to be said for going to where you are really wanted, and the fact that Justin worked so hard to bring me to the club tells me everything I need to know.
“I felt I had a really good season at Fulham. In the first six or seven games, I was getting man of the match every week.
Thinking
“I played 39 games. They wanted me to stay and they offered me a new contract but I did some thinking. “Deep down, I knew the manager (Slavisa Jokanovic) wasn’t likely to play me every week. I had to look at it and, at 29, I need to be playing. I don’t just want to sit there and be a squad member. “It’s never been about money. If it was, I would have stayed and picked up bigger wages. “It’s about football. I have had some fantastic contracts at Tottenham and Wolves. “I didn’t want to stay at Fulham, play less and be in and out. I really wanted to be a part of it all, not on the outside looking in.” Fans who question the fitness of a player who left Craven Cottage in May and has yet to do a pre-season need not worry. “I’ve been in the United States with San Jose Earthquakes for the past few weeks,” he added. “There was a possibility of joining them, but with three young boys it was just too much of an upheaval. “It kept me fit and I also have had my own personal trainer. “I live in Dartford so I have no excuse not to get to training on time and make sure my fitness is where it needs to be. It’s 20 minutes to training and I’ve no longer got the excuse of the M25 for being late!”