Gillingham goalscorer Ronan Hale dedicated his weekend double to his grandfather, who died earlier this week.
Former Irish League striker Danny Hale has been described as a hero by Gillingham’s newly signed striker Ronan.
Hale’s grandfather Danny died on Thursday, at the age of 84. He’d won three amateur international caps for Northern Ireland after scoring over 300 goals in a career that included a prolific four-season spell at Crusaders, where he managed 55 goals in the 1965/66 season.
Ronan Hale’s goals in Scotland earned him a move to Gillingham and he scored his first for the club on Saturday in a 2-1 win over Tranmere.
“He was my hero,” said Ronan. “To score two goals two days after it happened, he was definitely watching down on me. He’d be buzzing.
“I’ve had a tough week, but I know he’ll be watching down, and getting those two goals would have been massive.
“He would have been raging if I didn’t [score them]. He would have been straight on to me if I didn’t bury those chances.
“Those two goals were for him.”
Goalscoring is clearly in the genes.
Ronan said: “They called him Red Sand Dan because he never left the six-yard box, that’s where all his goals came from. He’d be happy with my two goals.
“We always joked about who was the best striker, and he definitely takes it!
“He was the first Hale to score in Europe, and I kept going on that I was the last Hale to score in Europe! He’d be proud.”
Ronan scored for Cliftonville in the Europa Conference League and continued his goalscoring exploits in the top two tiers of Scottish football at Ross County.
His brother Rory also played this weekend, coming off the bench to help his Cliftonville team to a comeback win in the Irish Cup against Glenavon.
Gills’ striker Ronan hasn’t been able to travel home yet but the funeral is expected to take place next week.
The 27-year-old has only just moved south from the Highlands of Scotland with his young family, after signing a two-and-a-half year contract at Priestfield.
Scoring those goals has helped him settle into new surroundings.
It was his third appearance for the Gills and first start on home soil.
He said: “It’s been brilliant. The boys welcomed me right away and playing games helps break that barrier as well. Scoring two goals has been brilliant in that sense of settling in and hopefully I can continue.
“I thought it was a great win. We dug in well. It was a massive three points and two goals that I’m very happy with.
“I was quite annoyed I didn’t get my hat-trick but it was a great three points that will push us on.
“I thought the place was rocking when I scored the two goals.
“I’m happy to be contributing to the team and getting the points on board.
“To get the first goals, it’s brilliant. Hopefully there are many more to come.”
