Latest news with #GarethAinsworth
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Gareth Ainsworth hails win as big step in rebuilding Gillingham identity
Gareth Ainsworth says he is loving life at Gillingham, heaping praise on the ownership, players and fans following the 1-0 win over Walsall. Bradley Dack's goal just before the hour proved to be the match winner in a tight League Two affair at Priestfield. That extended the club's unbeaten run to 14 games in all competitions, and 11 under Ainsworth, who took the Gills job in March. After the game he applauded the efforts of all involved as he looks to build an identity at the Kent club. 'I am proud of a group of boys in there that have given everything today on a hot day,' he said. 'We didn't really hurt them too much in the first half. 'I made a change at half-time. I thought that the ball needed to stick up top a little bit more. 'There were some solid performances and real energy. 'They gave me everything. They deserve all of the credit. They have got the win. 'Not just the 11 that started and not the 11 that finished, the injured boys behind the bench. 'You felt it today. That's the identity that I want to bring back here. 'Brad and Shannon (Galinson, the owners) have been great. We decided to invest in the infrastructure and the changing rooms. '(Managing director) Joe Comper was instrumental in helping with that. 'This identity thing is not just a rumour. It's something that I really want now. 'To be a Gillingham player and to play for Gillingham has got to mean something. 'That's what we're trying to build. ' Walsall boss Mat Sadler was left disappointed, feeling that neither side deserved maximum points. 'I don't think that either team did enough to win the game,' he said. 'I think that the heat played a big part in that, and the pitch got very sticky. 'For them, they get a very scrappy goal, which is frustrating from our point of view. 'For me, there wasn't much in the game at all. 'Both teams cancelled each other out, and it was the type of goal that wins a game like this. That's frustrating. 'I think that it was a draw game. I don't think that there was anything in it at all, which is disappointing. 'We have to move on and we have to pick ourselves up very quickly, because the next game comes very quickly. 'We have to learn to come away to places like this and pick up points and be on the other side of that for ourselves, and take those chances when they come our way.'
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Doolan deflated but proud after Stanley draw
John Doolan admitted he felt a bit deflated but proud after Accrington Stanley were denied a winning start to their League Two campaign. A brilliant Tyler Walton goal put Stanley ahead before the Gills, who are one of the pre-season favourites, levelled 11 minutes from time when Armani Little's curling corner was helped into the net by Stanley defender Devon Matthews. 'I am a little bit deflated as we probably should have won the game but I am proud of the players, getting a point out of the game in the end," said Doolan. "They showed great character. 'At half-time I was saying about the way we played in pre-season, we played well against tough opposition and the test is can you do it when you are playing for three points? 'We showed it in flashes in the first half and looked the better team. 'I was pleased with the way we started the second half. It was a great run from Tyler and he showed power and pace and it was a quality finish. If he carries on producing that consistently he won't be playing at this level. 'I thought we would go on and get a second but we have got to learn from the goal we gave away, it was a mistake. 'I always say, if you aren't going to win the game then make sure you don't lose it, so it's a point on the board.' Blackburn-born Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth said he had plenty of positives to take from their opening day draw. 'We had a style we wanted to employ, trying to get down the sides, and we did it well in the first half and had some decent spells," he said. 'There was a 20-minute spell in the second half where Accrington were on top and they got their goal and we were more messy and direct. 'We made changes and they gave us the impetus. The way the lads have fought to get back in the game, it was thoroughly deserved. 'We have got a lot of positives and now I am looking forward to building on it. 'It wasn't a game of great quality, I know we have to play more, but when you come to Accrington you know they will scrap and fight. They have some good players but you have to match the fight. 'I am proud to take a point as many teams will come here and not get anything.'
Daily Mirror
26-07-2025
- 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."
