Gillingham’s former midfielder George Lapslie could face his old team this Saturday – days after a star performance for his new side Bradford City.
Lapslie was offloaded by the Gills at the start of the winter transfer window, deemed surplus to requirements after two years at the club and 73 league appearances, a spell where he struggled to reach his full potential on a consistent basis.
He showed what he can do for Bradford City on Tuesday night, however, in his first start for the club.
Lapslie’s had to be patient for his chance to shine at Bradford but he took his opportunity against Cheltenham Town with a goal either side of the break in a 3-0 win. His new team sit second in League 2.
It’s a move that’s working out well for him, one that was engineered by Bradford’s head of football David Sharpe, a figure who was also previously at Mansfield when Lapslie joined from Charlton.
Speaking to BBC West Yorkshire after his midweek performance, Lapslie was beaming as he said: “(The goals) mean a lot to me. When Sharpey text me, I knew I was coming straight away. The size of the club, the trajectory of the club, the quality of the players at the club, I knew I would become a better player just by training here, and I have.
“I can feel myself getting sharper every day. As soon as Bradford were interested I was like, ‘What?!’ Of all the teams. Not many other League 2 teams were willing so to have a couple of options and one being Bradford, I couldn’t believe my luck.
“I know more so now that I needed (the move) than I did when I was back at Gills, where I was probably a bit comfortable. Gills is close to home but I definitely needed to get out of there, to come and enjoy my football again.
“I can’t describe the feeling of being out there with a bunch of your mates. It’s completely different to playing a game of football.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, Lapslie said: “I’m looking forward to going to see the lads. It will be a tough game.
“They work hard and it definitely won’t be easy but hopefully we can go down there and put a shift in.”
Bradford manager Graham Alexander commented on the player’s performance in their 3-0 win, saying: “I am delighted for the players and of course delighted for George Lapslie, who has had to be patient and wait for his turn, but he turned up when we needed him.”
Lapslie’s last appearance for the Gills came on December 20, scoring the equalising goal in a 2-2 draw against Cheltenham Town, a club he clearly enjoys playing against.
The last time he played against the Gills was a good one for him too.
He scored the second of Mansfield Town’s goals in a 2-0 win over the Gills at Priestfield in September 2022, capping a fine performance which came a few months before moving to Priestfield, paraded in front of fans before his deal had been announced.
Lapslie helped pull the Gills clear of relegation trouble but his high wages meant the club were keen to move him on when they got the chance. He ended his time at ME7 when he signed for Bradford City on a two-and-a-half year deal.
