Richard Day updates the movements of some of our former players
Former Republic of Ireland international Gary Breen has been appointed as first-team coach at Peterborough United. The 39-year-old joined the Gills in 1992 after a spell at Maidstone United and made 61 league and cup appearances ahead of a £70,000 move to the Posh two seasons later.Gary went on to make over 550 league appearances for the likes of West Ham, Sunderland and Wolves and represented the Republic of Ireland 63 times, playing in all matches of their 2002 World Cup campaign. He has signed a two-year deal at London Road, 17 years after first leaving the club as a player.
Looking around the League Two clubs both Sean Clohessy and Stuart Lewis were named player of the year at Southend United and Wycombe Wanderers respectively. Elsewhere former Gills loan signings Scott Flinders (Hartlepool United) and Kevin Lisbie (Leyton Orient) won the honours at their clubs in League One.
Left-back John Nutter has agreed a deal to stay at Blue Square Premier side Woking next season, the 30-year-old was a virtual ever-present in his four seasons at Priestfield, making over 150 appearances between 2007-2011.
He moved to Kingfield in January, following an initial loan spell, from league rivals Lincoln City and could line-up against the Gills when Martin Allen’s side play Woking in pre-season on Saturday 27 July.
Macclesfield Town’s new management team was announced earlier this week with former Gills defender Efe Sodje, now 40, being named assistant to manager John Askey. Both are Silkmen ‘legends’ from previous spells at Moss Rose.
A piece of news we missed back in March was Mark Saunders leaving his position as manager of Southern League Division One South & West outfit Tiverton Town. He had been manager at Ladysmead since November 2010.
Craig Stone has been unveiled as the first summer signing for Dover Athletic as boss Chris Kinnear looks to make changes to his squad. Meanwhile defender Tom Wynter has signed a new one-year deal with the Lilywhites but Dean Rance and one-time Gills trialist Ben May have left the club, the latter joining former Dover coach Steve Brown at Ebbsfleet United.
As predicted last week striker Frannie Collin has signed for Ryman Premier League new boys Maidstone United, despite interest from a number of clubs, after the 26-year-old decided to leave Tonbridge Angels.
Richard Rose has left Dartford after turning down a new contract offer and has agreed terms with an as yet un-named team. While former youth team player Tom Bryant has left Herne Bay.
Finally former Gills manager Ronnie Jepson is back in football after leaving his job as assistant manager to Neil Warnock at Leeds United in April. 50 year-old Jepson, who managed at Priestfield from November 2005 – October 2007, was today appointed as No.2 to Kevin Blackwell at Bury.
A former Shakers striker, Ronnie said of his appointment, “It’s good to be back, I have some great memories of this place. When the gaffer rang me and offered the job, I didn’t think twice.”