Gillingham is exploring loan options for the upcoming season, although manager Mark Bonner prefers permanent signings. After making four permanent additions shortly after last season ended, the club has entered “phase two” of their recruitment process, which involves considering available loan players.
Gillingham manager Mark Bonner sees potential value in loan recruits. Higher-league clubs are gradually allowing players to go on loan, but Bonner acknowledges the need for patience in this market.
“You always look to it,” Bonner said regarding the loan market. “The key to a loan is a real understanding at the beginning of the agreement between the parent club, the loaning club, the player, and the agent. Is it just for senior football experience or to improve the starting 11? Different players fit different categories, and many loans at this level are first-time loans, so there’s some uncertainty. You need a clear understanding of the loan’s purpose.”
Bonner is not opposed to loans but emphasizes that most clubs want their players back early in pre-season to assess them and ensure good numbers for games. “The biggest clubs are often abroad in early pre-season, so they need those players. It’s rare that loans happen early.”
This summer, Gillingham has signed Elliott Nevitt, Armani Little, Jack Nolan, and Aaron Rowe.
Bonner added, “We aim to sign players who will improve us immediately and are ours, with room for growth. The squad needs a good balance of age and experience. Loans can provide economic value and access to players at a level we couldn’t get permanently. We’ll use loans to bolster the squad and find players who make us better.”
Bonner noted that successful loans in League 2 are unlikely to return to the same level. “Initially, we’ve focused on signing our own players who fit our model quickly, and we’ll see what else becomes available.”
