Latest news with #GarethAinsworth
BBC News
10 hours ago
- 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."
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Striker Vokes 'truly gutted' to leave Wycombe
Former Wales striker Sam Vokes says he is "truly gutted" to be leaving Wycombe Wanderers after spending four years at Adams announced on Tuesday that Vokes was among six senior players leaving the club at the end of their 35-year-old striker scored 28 goals in his 93 starts for the club after joining from Stoke City in 2021, and has more recently been involved in the Wanderers' coaching were knocked out of the League One play-offs by Charlton Athletic after finishing fifth."After finding out this morning I'll be leaving this special club after four years, I can only say I'm truly gutted," said Vokes, who is part of the BBC Sounds Feast of Football podcast team. "I'd always heard about the great culture and good people at the club, so to be brought in by [former manager] Gareth Ainsworth to be part of that group and getting to know the players and staff has been an absolute pleasure. "When I joined Wycombe, I was desperate for success and to be part of something special. While we've come very close a few times, it's been amazing to create and be part of some truly special moments."A knee injury and a recent broken arm - picked up in the final regular League One fixture of the season against Stockport County - limited Vokes to seven substitute appearances in the league this season, scoring an open letter written to Wycombe fans, Vokes said he had "more to offer on the pitch" but did not give any hints as to his future won 64 caps for Wales between 2008 and 2019, scoring 11 goals, including one of the most memorable goals ever scored by a Welshman against Belgium in the quarter-finals of Euro has also played for Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier said a recent stint as part of the Wycombe coaching team under interim manager Sam Grace and then Mike Dodds has been "an honour and a huge learning curve"."I'd like to take this opportunity to thank every player, staff member and fan of this club for being part of my journey here at Wycombe," he added."I know this club has changed a lot over my four years, but I hope that culture, work-ethic and core values remain and I wish the club every success going forward."Up the Chairboys, Vokesy."
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Glenn Morris: Veteran goalkeeper signs new Gillingham contract
Veteran goalkeeper Glenn Morris has signed a new one-year contract to stay at Gillingham for next season. Morris, 41, was voted the Gills' player of the season, having kept 13 clean sheets. In October, he became the oldest man to play for the Kent club, surpassing the record previously held by Andy Hessenthaler. Morris, whose contract was due to expire this summer, said: "I am really pleased. It is nice to get it done early so you can sort of relax over the summer and enjoy the time away." Morris is in his second spell at Gillingham, having had a two-year stint there between 2014 and 2016. He returned on loan from Crawley during the summer of 2022 and was signed on a permanent deal the following January. His career has also involved spells at Southend, Leyton Orient and Aldershot. Manager Gareth Ainsworth said: "He is the model professional who gives everything on a day-to-day basis. "His experience is invaluable and we are very lucky to have him."
