Gillingham FC Forum

Manager Gareth Ainsworth is excited about the player’s potential and sees areas where they still need to improve.

He said: “There will be loads of factors that determine how high he goes. When people come to watch him, if he's lucky, he’ll have a great performance and be what they're looking for.

“All I know is that physically, I've played with a lot worse players, and I was lucky to play at the top level. He would be right up there in those days.

“Now, the passing game has come into it, especially at the top level. You have to be really competent on the ball, and it's something that me and Sam have agreed we want to develop, we want to get him better at, but defending and just absolutely ‘thou shalt not pass’, Sam Gale is your man.

“I think he's got the attributes in that department to play at a really high level.

“If we can add some culture and some refinement to his game, I think he's going to go a long, long way.

“It'll be up to him how high he goes, as it will be for Andy Smith and people like that. We've got some really talented players here like Robbie McKenzie and I just want to make sure that we're grounded, we're level-headed.

“If it comes, it comes, great. But otherwise, we'll be successful as Gillingham together. That's really important.”

Gale’s new deal ties him to the club until the summer of 2028, with the club having the option of a further year.

Ainsworth said: “Sam was one I wanted to get on a long-term contract and to also reward him.

“First-year pros don't earn as much as a tenth-year pro and as a first-team regular, he needs to be rewarded for that.

“Sam's definitely going to play higher. But I'm really pleased we've tied him up for a few years here.