The season’s over for Gillingham but their head coach plans to be back in the office today as work on improving the squad continues.
Gillingham ended a disappointing campaign sitting mid-table and head coach Stephen Clemence hopes to build a team more to his liking so they can mount a more vigorous assault on the promotion places next season.
Clemence has already had conversations with members of his current squad, about who he wants to keep and who he feels will be better off seeking opportunities elsewhere. New faces are also being looked at, with talks already taking place.
The Gills ended their season with a 2-2 draw at home to Doncaster – a result which was enough for the visitors to seal a play-off place. Over 1,500 of their supporters were celebrating at Priestfield on Saturday. That came a week after the Gills lost to Mansfield Town and had to watch their players and fans toast automatic promotion.
“We need to use that as hunger and drive to improve next season and ensure that another side are watching us do the same thing in 12 months’ time,” said Clemence, who planned to have a day with the family yesterday (Sunday) before getting straight back to work.
“I remember as a Tottenham player going to Old Trafford and Man United won the title. We were nowhere near winning the title at Tottenham at that stage but you think, ‘I want a bit of that.’
“I hope my players think the same, I hope they go away this summer and think, ‘I want to be a part of that next year and can we have a bit of it’ but there is plenty of hard work to be done if we’re going to achieve it but the hard work has already started.
“I will be back in on Monday morning, I have got things to do, planning for next season.
“I am sure it’s going to be a busy summer here at Gillingham.”
Clemence knows where changes need to be made.
He said: “We have got to add 30-40 goals to this football team to be even thinking about getting into League 1.
“The club has only had one goalscorer in the last five years to get into double figures. To score 35 two seasons ago, 36 last season and 46 this season, it is nowhere near enough, so there are some big improvements that have to be made.
“I am obviously working within a budget and so I have to fit players into that budget and generally when you need players at the top end of the pitch they cost you the most money. We will have to see what happens on that.”
Clemence took over the Gills as head coach six months ago and it’s been full-on since then, taking on a no.1 position at a club for the first time.
A big summer awaits but even he’ll allow himself a little time to take a break.
He said: “My wife has asked a few times (about a holiday) but she understands that I have given my all to this job. My home is in Cheshire and I have been home four or five times since November, I have based myself here in Gillingham.
“I do owe some time to the family because they are the most important people in my life and I will have a week to 10 days to dedicate my time to them, but my phone will still be on wherever I choose to go on holiday. I will dedicate some time each day to make sure I don’t miss out on any good deals!”
