“Our performances have steadily got worse and you can really see the morale of the players dropping”
Gillingham have been in the Football League since 1950 but the only team from Kent in the 92 are facing a real battle to remain, as Rob Hawley explains
Thursday 15 December 2022
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore. As always, the welcome is warm, but the weather certainly isn’t, with a 50/50 chance of County’s game on Saturday going ahead as things stand. I’ve already had a chat with Gillingham fan Rob Hawley, however, and he’s given us a great insight into the trials and tribulations surrounding the Football League’s bottom club, so regardless of whether Saturday turns out to be on or off, here’s my interview with Rob anyway.
With these freezing temperatures in Stockport at the moment, we could all do with a nice hot curry to warm us up. (Hold on to your hats, another of Des Junior’s dodgy segues is coming up!) On that note, a big thank you to everyone who’s bought tickets for our first live event in 2023 - ‘A Curry with Colin Woodthorpe’ at Last Monsoon on Monday 30 January. Around 50% of tickets have already been sold to subscribers, with the remainder now on open sale.
Tickets are £20, which includes poppadoms, mixed starters and a choice of four curries with rice and naan breads, as well as a full colour souvenir programme.
On the night, Colin will be speaking about his five years at County during our time in the First Division between 1997 and 2002. Colin was one of Gary Megson’s first County signings in the summer of 1997, and he went on to make 171 appearances, scoring 7 goals.
He’ll also be reliving his time at Chester, Norwich, Aberdeen and Bury, as well as his managerial career, working as assistant at Colwyn Bay, AFC Fylde, Runcorn Linnets, and now Chester, where they’re pushing for the National League North title.
There will also be opportunities for fans to ask questions on the night, as well as have their photo taken with Colin.
If you’d like to come along, send me a text or give me a call on 07816 111150, or you can email desmondhinks@hotmail.co.uk
Finally, today’s edition is sponsored by The Site Supply Company. A big thank you to Steve Cree. Check out hivis.net if you need any workwear or high visibility clothing, and get 10% off all orders with the code TSMFW.
Des Junior
This first one is a simple copy and paste job, as it’s exactly the same question I put to a Hartlepool fan before our last league game. You’re currently bottom of League Two. What’s gone wrong so far this season?
We had a huge turnover in the summer, almost a new squad. Lots of loans and free transfers was always going to be a risky approach. However, it's been much tougher than I imagined. Our performances have steadily got worse and you can really see the morale of the players dropping, especially the younger members. Of course, our measly six league goals can't be ignored. The lack of any proven quality in attack has made us easy to play against, so hopefully in January we can get a couple of decent players in (probably on loan).
You haven’t finished a season in the bottom half of the fourth tier since you were 19th in Division Three in 1994-95. Is it strange finding yourselves in a battle to stay in the Football League?
It's a surprise as I thought we would be around the top half. But looking at the bigger picture we've been fighting against this decline for at least 10 years, due to the lack of investment. There's only so many times you can get away with not paying to improve the team. I'm old enough to remember our struggles in the early 90s but our current squad is worse.
Gillingham’s last 10 seasons
2012-13: League Two, 1st (C)
2013-14: League One, 17th
2014-15: League One, 12th
2015-16: League One, 9th
2016-17: League One, 20th
2017-18: League One, 17th
2018-19: League One, 13th
2019-20: League One, 10th
2020-21: League One, 10th
2021-22: League One, 21st (R)
The date is 30 May 1999. It’s the Second Division play-off final. You’re 2-0 up against Man City at Wembley in the last minute. Did you really have to fuck that up? City might not be where they are today had that not happened.
I think about this a lot (more than I want to), a definite sliding doors moment and we should accept our part in giving life to their current position. However, Mark Halsey (ref that day) is worth an honourable mention and hopefully now has a more accurate watch.
You were relegated from League One under Neil Harris last season, and you’re currently bottom of League Two. Is he lucky to still be in the job?
Simply, yes, he should have gone a month or so ago. Despite the lack of investment, I don't believe he's getting the best out of the squad. Tactically he sets us up too negatively which makes us easy to play against. Several times this season he has appeared to blame the players in his post-match comments, accusing them of not listening, which tells its own story.
What’s your owner like?
Rumours of an imminent takeover are exciting the fanbase, as patience with Paul Scally has ran out. His lack of backing for managers over recent years has seen any support erode, although some of the abuse that he's been subject of is inexcusable. It's a shame because when he saved us in June 1995, he went on to give us a great decade which was the best in our history, although I do hope for all sides that the takeover happens.
Best and worst memories following the Gills?
They happened within 12 months of each other. The best was beating Wigan in the 2000 Second Division play-off final. The worst, of course, was the Man City defeat the year before.
What’s your thoughts on Stockport County?
Pleased to see you back in the EFL and I expect you to push on and get into the play-offs.
What's your prediction for Saturday?
2-0 to County.
Which players should we watch out for?
Our main danger is from set pieces, which is our most likely chance of scoring with Elkan Baggott our biggest threat. If Scott Kashket starts alongside Mikael Mandron in attack then there's potential to cause problems on the counter.
Best Gillingham XI from players you’ve seen?
Jim Stannard, Barry Fuller, John Egan, Barry Ashby, Roland Edge, Matt Jarvis, Andy Hessenthaler, Paul Smith, Ty Gooden, Robert Taylor, Bradley Dack. Tony Pulis as manager.
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The only Christmas gift guide you need this year
10 sleeps to go! The Scarf My Father Wore have curated a beautiful Christmas gift guide this year, from independent businesses across the UK. Check the guide each day, with new items constantly being added. And don’t forget, we’re giving away every single item in our December prize giveaway, you just have to be a subscriber to win!
Stockport photo of the day
Edgeley Park
May 2011, just after we’d been relegated to the Conference. It’s been an eventful decade or so hasn’t it? And what the fuck were those giant red dots all about?
Matt Walker ‘eats’ the World Cup
🇺🇸 No 17 - USA (Roadtrip & The Workshop) 🇺🇸
“Strange scenario supporting the USA, including left-sided Fulham duo Ream & Robinson, against England in a Stateside-themed dive bar. Fortunately, the Goose Island IPA, sliders & loaded fries were more distracting than the match.”
One of my favourite football books is Matt Walker’s Europe United, in which the author and Fulham fan spends a whole season taking in a game in all 55 UEFA countries. Well he’s back with another fun challenge, to experience Qatar 2022 in restaurants and bars across London which represent all 32 competing nations. Matt has kindly allowed me to use his photos and I’ll bring you one each day, giving you a tasty flavour of the World Cup, in more ways than one.