Manager Gareth Ainsworth didn’t mind getting some stick last Saturday and was just glad to be back where he belongs.
The Gills boss hadn’t been in the dugout for two months, spending all of October at home recovering from open-heart surgery and then another few weeks watching his team from the stands.
He was back where he enjoys it most last weekend, and his return to the touchline coincided with a match against his former club.
Ainsworth left Shrewsbury towards the end of last season for the chance to take on a two-year project at Gillingham, tasked with getting the club challenging for promotion.
He said: “The Shrewsbury people are really nice. It’s not a hostile place, but there was the pantomime, as I thought there would be, with the singing.
“I have to give credit to the Gillingham fans for backing me up. Thank you for that!
“I understand the stick I get from Shrewsbury fans.”
Ainsworth left Shrewsbury bottom of League 1 and they were relegated last season.
Home fans were enjoying seeing their old boss and his Gills side 2-0 down early on, criticising his hair, his music and his team.
Ainsworth’s men staged a dramatic comeback in the second half, however, leaving the away fans enjoying the last moments of the game and singing back: “He left ’cos you’re ****!”.
“To be on the touchline, again, is where I belong,” said the Gills boss.
“It’s what I want to do. I’m with the boys. I’m feeling everything.
“When we scored our third, I tried to not get too excited, but it’s that game that does this to you.
“I’m all fine. I’m recovering. I’ve got a great bunch behind me. My staff are behind me. I know the fans are with us. The players certainly fight for me. I’m loving it as a manager.”
Ainsworth had the Gills physio keeping a check on him as he returned to the dugout and joked: “He kept telling me to sit down at times. He’s on a losing battle there!”
