Latest news with #GarethAinsworth
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gareth Ainsworth doubles down on Shrewsbury exit as Gillingham revolution takes shape
INTERVIEW: Gareth Ainsworth is relishing "the journey" he has embarked on with Gillingham, who he joined late last season following his shock departure from Shrewsbury Gareth Ainsworth has long been at peace with his shock call to quit Shrewsbury and now he's ready to rock Gillingham's world. The 'Wild Thing' - lead vocalist of The Cold Blooded Hearts - requires no introduction in EFL managerial circles. During 10-and-a-half years at Wycombe, his heavy-metal football yielded exceptional results, propelling Wanderers from the fourth tier of English football into the Championship. And following two short-lived spells in west London (with QPR) and Shropshire, he wants to run it back. Ainsworth said ahead of next week's League Two opener at Accrington Stanley: "I just want my players to feel like they belong to something. When we look at football, we're in a privileged position compared to other walks of life. "Gillingham's identify was getting a little bit muddled up with changes of personnel, both players and managers. We want to bring that identity back, this summer has been a big mental shift of the whole place." Ex-Shrewsbury midfielder Jamie Tolley accused Ainsworth of "promising the world but delivering nothing" when the 52-year-old left the New Meadow for Priestfield in March. But the long-haired gaffer makes no secret of the fact the ambitious pitch from Gillingham's American owners Brad and Shannon Galinson ignited the fire within. Ainsworth certainly knows how to get a place bouncing, his band's latest gig was just a few weeks ago in Soho, and he plans to front an electric Kentish revolution. When asked if he now feels pressure to vindicate his Shrewsbury departure, he said: "No, not at all. "Managers are restricted in what they can say with their contracts, I wish I could have said a lot more. "My justification for coming to Gillingham sits well with me, no problem at all. "I'm on a journey and I bought into the journey at Shrewsbury, I wish it went differently, it was a nice place to live. "People will laugh and say I'm not loyal but you've got the wrong guy, I don't need to prove anything to anyone." Ainsworth was such a coup for Gills, the bookies have them among the favourites for promotion. He isn't buying that, however, adding: "It's flattering but I don't know where the substance in that has come from. We haven't made £1million signings, we've signed three players. "Thank you but we're focusing on the journey, it's a two-year project centred around improving, the next level is way down the line for me." Ainsworth's ranks have been bolstered by the capture of ex-Burnley and Stoke City striker Sam Vokes and he's also optimistic he'll get Bradley Dack fit and firing. He continued: "We should be seen as underdogs, just like we were at Wycombe. Age is irrelevant to me, if you are good enough, you're good enough. If you look at the history of my success, it's come with experience. "Adebayo Akinfenwa, the partnership we had at Wycombe, Craig Mackail-Smith, Nathan Tyson, Marcus Bean, Sam Saunders, Joe Jacobson, Matt Bloomfield, the list is endless. "The owners have brought me in and told me to manage how I want. It was a really good move getting me in early so I could look over the team for the last few games [nine] of the season. "They just want success, they enjoy winning and the thrill of it - so that's what we're going to try and do."
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gills sign Wycombe striker Vokes on one-year deal
Gillingham have signed former Wales striker Sam Vokes on a one-year deal following his release by Wycombe 35-year-old scored 30 goals in 144 appearances for the Chairboys, having previously twice won promotion to the Premier League with Burnley under Sean is Gillingham's second summer signing, following forward Seb Palmer-Houlden's move from Bristol City in reunites with head coach Gareth Ainsworth, who he worked with for two years at Adams' Park and reached the League One play-off final in 2022."It's great, it's exciting, and I am looking forward to pre-season getting underway," Vokes told the club's website, external."I spoke to the manager a few times over the summer, we know each other well. Being right and ready to go on that first game is what it's all about now."Vokes began his career at Bournemouth before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers and has also played for Stoke City in a career spanning 19 made his debut for Wales in 2008 and represented his country at Euro 2016, scoring in a 3-1 win against Belgium.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ainsworth backs Gills signing Palmer-Houlden to shine
Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth expects new signing Seb Palmer-Houlden to make a big impact for the League Two outfit next 21-year-old became the club's first summer arrival from Bristol City last month after spending the 2024-25 campaign at Scottish Premiership club Dundee. Palmer-Houlden netted nine times in 39 appearances for the Dark Blues and Ainsworth is confident the youngster can continue to develop following his debut season in senior football."Goalscoring over the last couple of years has been something we've wanted to improve and Seb has an unbelievable record at youth level," Ainsworth told BBC Radio Kent."He went to Scotland for his first loan and again showed what he was capable of in glimpses. He's going to complement this team and this squad really well."The Rainham End are going to love him because he just never stops running, he never stops chasing. He's very much my type of player."He's going to have a good career this boy and we're excited to bring him here." Only League Two's bottom club Morecambe found the net less times than the Gills in 2024-25 - by a single goal - and Ainsworth believes new man Palmer-Houlden can add ammunition to his side's lack of firepower."He wants to be a centre forward and an out-and-out centre forward playing for a team with something riding on it," he added."His progress was blocked at Bristol City because they have got some brilliant strikers and he's made a real brave decision to say 'no, I can do this'."It speaks volumes of the boy. Once we can get him in our regime, I'm sure he will be a success." Ainsworth reiterated that he will play a big part in the club's recruitment this summer after joining from Shrewsbury Town in March."We've said no player will come through the building without my saying so – I want to make that clear. That was one of my big non-negotiables at the start," he said."There has been all sorts of stories about recruitment in the past here."Me and Hesko [head of scouting Andy Hessenthaler] go back a long way and I made my league debut with [assistant coach] Ronnie Jepson so we've got a good team on the ground."But I think being the manager, if I'm the person that takes the successes and the failures on a Saturday, it is important that they are my players." One of five players to sign a new deal to stay at the club beyond the summer - 31-year-old midfielder Bradley Dack - was praised by Ainsworth."Bradley is definitely a player with quality above this level," he added."There's been question marks obviously about how much he is going to play but when you saw the glimpses that I saw at the end of the season, I'd be stupid not to try and re-sign Bradley Dack."He's got a very busy life away from football and everyone knows that, but that's part and parcel of the character that is Bradley Dack."He's that flamboyant winner; a magic man sometimes."
The Courier
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Former Dundee loan star Seb Palmer-Houlden joins new club after Bristol City departure
Seb Palmer-Houlden has wasted little time in sorting a summer move after his loan spell at Dundee came to an end. The speedy frontman joined the Dark Blues on a season-long loan from Bristol City last summer. He endeared himself to fans at Dens Park with his hard running and eye for goal. The 21-year-old scored five times in his first six matches for Dundee and would finish the campaign on nine goals in all competitions. One of those early goals came in a fierce derby draw at rivals Dundee United. He scored in victories over Kilmarnock and St Johnstone in the Premiership and took on a new position late in the campaign, playing as a right winger rather than striker. His time on loan came to an end last Sunday as he helped the Dark Blues retain their top-flight status. Now he has left parent club Bristol City to join League Two Gillingham on a three-year deal. The Gills manager Gareth Ainsworth said: 'Seb is a player we have been looking at for a while now and there was a lot of competition for his signature. 'We managed to sort everything quickly and I am delighted to have him with us. He has a bright future in the game, he's quick, hardworking, and knows where the goal is. 'I think all Gills fans will enjoy watching him.' On signing his deal, Palmer-Houlden said: 'I am so excited to be here and I can't wait for the season to start and get going. 'I like to get fans off their seats, I like to press high, get in behind and score goals. I am looking forward to meeting the boys.'
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gillingham sign Bristol City forward Palmer-Houlden
Gillingham have signed Bristol City forward Seb Palmer-Houlden for an undisclosed 21-year-old, who spent this season on loan at Scottish top-flight club Dundee, has signed a three-year scored nine goals in 39 appearances for Dundee this season and has also had loan spells at Chippenham Town, Yeovil Town and Newport County. "Seb is a player we have been looking at for a while now and there was a lot of competition for his signature," Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth told the club website. "We managed to sort everything quickly and I am delighted to have him with us. "He has a bright future in the game - he's quick, hardworking, and knows where the goal is. I think all Gills fans will enjoy watching him."
