Ronan Hale is confident he will have more to give after a much-needed summer break and a full pre-season behind him.
The Northern Ireland striker had the upheaval of a move from the Scottish Highlands to Gillingham in January and soon after his switch had to deal with the devastating news that his grandfather had passed away – a man he had looked up to and been inspired by.
Hale joined a struggling Gills team but still managed to stand out positively, and fans will hope he can flourish in the campaign ahead.
“I finished with 17 goals and, obviously, I wish it were a bit more, but it was a long season,” said Hale.
“We went straight into the play-off final [at the end of the previous season] and then I was away for 10 days with Northern Ireland. I had a two-week break and was straight back into the cup games with Ross County.
“It’s been a full year of football, but you wouldn’t change it. That’s the way you want it to be and now we’re back at pre-season again, ready to go.
“I do [feel more refreshed]. We were a long way off the play-offs when I came in and it was a good icebreaker for me to get myself used to the league.
“I scored a few goals, and I wish it was a bit more, but I’m coming into this season knowing what the league is about and I’m ready to rock.
“With a full pre-season behind me with the team, I am confident I can add a lot more to help push us up the table.”
Hale had the chance to return to Belfast to reconnect with family after months away and recently returned to England to get settled again with his family ahead of the new season.
Gillingham’s players are due back for pre-season training next Thursday.
“It was a tough transition for me and my family,” Hale admitted, having switched clubs mid-season.
“I probably couldn’t have had two teams further apart, up in Inverness and then down the London direction.
“It was a tough couple of months and the big factor was also was my grandfather passing away as soon as I came. He was a big part of my life. He passed away on the Thursday and I scored two goals on the Saturday.
“We had to get the kids into school, there was a lot going on behind the scenes, but it is what the job is, what I am paid for, and I enjoyed it at Gillingham.
“Obviously, some of the results weren’t great. Everyone in the club and the fans know that it was nowhere near good enough. This season I’ve got a great feeling about where we will end up, and I’m looking forward to getting going and seeing what happens.
“It was good to get back for the summer and now I’m fully recharged.”
Hale played for Northern Ireland a year ago – his first and only cap to date. He played 70 minutes in a friendly match against Iceland at Windsor Park and is keen for more.
He said: “When you get on the pitch it’s a different feeling because you’re playing against top opposition.
“It was a great experience for me. I’ll hope to have a good enough season and see where it takes me. It’s a reward to go and test yourself against top players.
“All I can do is focus on myself at club level and see where it takes the club and me. You always want to test yourself against the best, you come up against the best at the international level.
“It’s everyone’s dream to play international football but you’ve got to be performing at club level and as a striker I need to be scoring goals to get that opportunity. Hopefully this season I can bang in a few and see what happens.”
The attacking department will have a new look. Elliott Nevitt, Josh Andrews and Marcus Wyllie have all departed, along with many forward-focused midfielders.
Of the new arrivals, Will Goodwin is a striker that Hale is looking forward to playing alongside.
He said: “He’s a big number nine so it might be that big man-small man combination and I think that is what I thrive on.
“He can do the hold up play, I can nip in and score the goals, do my bit as well. I’m looking forward to that.
“I am a goalscorer and I want to score as much as I can and get us up that table and do far better than last season.
“The aim this season should be to get up into those play-offs and then anything can happen. It’s been a bit of a rebuild with new players coming in but I am sure the gaffer will know who he needs to help the team.”
