Gills Chief Executive steps down

[Garawa]

Gills Chief Executive Steve Waggot has stepped down from the role after fulfilling his one year contract. An article by the Gills Connect website states:

Gillingham Football Club announced that their Chief Executive, Steve Waggott, is stepping down from his full-time position to concentrate on pursuing a consultancy role relating to the new stadium development project alongside Chairman Paul Scally. Former Coventry City chief Steve Waggott joined Gills in February 2016 and has fulfilled his one-year contract with the club and is now looking forward to the exciting challenge ahead. A new Gills stadium has been on the drawing board, and in various planning stages, for over sixteen years

When Mr. Waggott joined Gillingham Football Club last February Chairman Paul Scally said, “Steve will be responsible for all day to day matters and he will take some of the mounting pressure off." Mr. Waggott’s new role of pursing a role relating to the new stadium proposal has to be welcomed by fans as Chairman Paul Scally has also indicated recent activity on a new ground.

This week Mr. Scally said he hopes to be able to hold consolations and presentations with fans early this year. A site adjacent to Gills training ground at Mill Hill in Gillingham is where Mr Scally would like to build his new stadium. The Gills Chairman said, “I would like to have planning permission this time next year but there is lots to do yet.”

Bit of a surprise now given that the Chairman has only just returned from ill health but clearly there is some movement in the new stadium proposal. I am still certain however that this plan hinges on the acceptance of Medway Borough Council's "Local Plan" which sets out land allocations for the next 20 years and includes Mill Hill as a sports ground to be used by the club. Once this plan is adopted, the site is virtually guaranteed and planning applications become a formality. Quite what the plan is this year I don't know unless the council have stated they fully expect the adoption to occur in the next few months?

[lidbid46]

I still can't see the point if we only have 6000 fans on a good day.

[Rimshot]

Arguably because if the stadium were easier to get to/park near in an area with bars, shops, restaurants and cinema it might just attract more people. Pointless discussion though as it will never happen on Scally's watch unless and until any move offers greater personal financial benefits than staying put.

[CadburyMan]

Isn't there an ideal site in Teynham Gary - got to be better than industrial and residential

[Garawa]

Ha ha, I've said that to the missus but as we are complaining because the only roads to it are narrow country lanes that also would rule out the stadium lol.

I can fit one more car on my drive however......2 if we budge them up a bit

[gillsfan1066]

What about at the bottom of the Darland Banks, or even down by the roundabout where the Lower Rainham Road meets the Japanese Freeway, down by the river ?

[Garawa]

Mill Hill is already in the council plans the opposite side of the training ground.