To say Gareth Ainsworth has had a transformative effect on Gillingham since his arrival late last season would be a huge understatement.
A side that looked bereft of direction, identity and character suddenly seemed to click under the former Wycombe, QPR and Shrewsbury boss as they finished the 2024/25 season strongly.
Then, Gillingham flew out of the gate at the start of this season as they smashed the club’s undefeated record streak and flew to the sharp end of the League Two table. But, after a brilliant August and September, the Gills suffered their first loss of the season, then lost their gaffer, as Ainsworth was admitted into hospital for pre-planned cardiac surgery to correct a heart murmur discovered by a League Managers Association annual check-up.
Gillingham’s form collapsed without Gareth Ainsworth in charge
It meant that Ainsworth was ruled out of sideline duties, and away from the club, for several weeks as he rested and recuperated from his successful surgery. Unfortunately, during his time away, Gillingham’s form fell off a cliff.
The previously almost impenetrable Gills suddenly looked a shadow of their former selves. Sure, the effort and endeavour was still there, but individual errors crept into their play, and the results dried up.
Following their first league loss in 22 league games at home to Harrogate at the end of September, Gillingham crashed down to earth in October. The team picked up just a solitary league point from four league games during October, with the Gills losing to away at MK Dons and Grimsby, and at home to Salford. Bad luck, and some questionable officiating in the Grimsby game in particular, didn’t help their cause, but there was no doubting there was something missing from the Gills. It was their manager.
Gareth Ainsworth’s return sparks instant reaction
Ainsworth returned to watch from the stands as the Gills were eliminated from the FA Cup on spot-kicks at Newport, but crucially, on their return to league action at Bristol Rovers, the Gills showed the resolve and battling qualities that have been a trademark of Ainsworth’s side since his arrival.
When Max Clark missed a spot-kick after 30 minutes, it looked like the Kent side’s poor luck was going to continue. But when that same player produced a Goal of the Season contender with a stupendous left-footed volley from the corner of the penalty area on the 54-minute mark, it was like a great weight had been lifted from the Kent side once again as Gillingham ran out 1-0 winners on the road.
Ainsworth wasn’t in the Gillingham dugout – he’s staying away from his usual high-energy touchline duties until he’s fully healed from his operation – but crucially he was there to give the pre-match and half-time team talks in person, and it’s clear that having “Wild Thing” back at the helm gave his players some extra pep in their step.
Gareth Ainsworth is the talismanic figure Gillingham have desperately needed
Ainsworth is famously sceptical about the over-use of statistics – on more than one occasion he’s stated that “possession can do one” – and the impact he personally has on his side isn’t something that can be identified with heat maps, stats sheets and xG. Instead, what he brings to the side is a talismanic quality that only a few bosses possess.
Gareth Ainsworth has a catchphrase he introduced to the Gills upon his arrival, and he’s used it several times in interviews since – he wants his players to “empty the tank”. And, when he’s in charge of the side, the players consistently do exactly that.
His return might not mean another 20-game unbeaten run. But, if you pardon the slight pun, it brings the heart and soul back to Gillingham Football Club. Despite a nightmare month in October, Gillingham still sit in the play-off places, in seventh, just four points off top spot. And with Ainsworth likely to return to the touchline sometime in the new year, the Gills might find another gear as they emerge from the festive period with their gaffer back in the dugout once again.
