The Gills kick off a new season
The Shouting Ben on the season ahead for the Gills and their chances of finally pushing for promotion
Expectations feel slightly muted at Priestfield as we enter the third full season of the Galinsons’ reign. They’ve reinvigorated the club on so many levels, but things have stagnated on the pitch: the budget seems very competitive, the squad is littered with players who have previously excelled at both this level and higher… but the end result is still mediocre performances and results far below what should be expected. On the morning of the first home game of 2025/26, our Gills columnist Ben Hopkins examines whether this season will be any better…
Where are the goals coming from?
Goals at Gillingham have become as rare as ethically minded estate agents, with the top scorer in each of the previous three seasons registering just 6, 7 and 7 again, by a distance the worst prolonged return in the club’s history. If Gillingham’s aim is promotion, or at least the play-offs, they’re going to need someone to lead the way with a solid 15 or more goals to their name, and probably someone else in double-figures too.
Despite his relative inexperience, newcomer Seb Palmer-Houden seems the most likely candidate, coming off the back of two promising seasons in League Two and the Scottish Premiership. At the other extreme, Sam Vokes has proven experience at Premier League, Championship, League One and international level, which should make him a near certainty, fitness permitting. But approaching the age of 36 makes it a touch of a gamble. He could be this year’s Deon Burton, but no one needs a second coming of Iwan Roberts.
Elsewhere, Elliott Nevitt has done it before but didn’t come close last season, and the power and audaciousness of crowd favourite Joe Gbode feels more productive out wide. A run of fitness could mean it’s time for the previously perma-crocked Josh Andrews to finally make an impact, and Marcus Wyllie is back in contention after a tough first year in the professional game.
More importantly, who is providing them?
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