In my opinion, it’s time Gillingham gave Steve Lovell the manager’s job at least until the end of the season.

You won’t find too many people more loyal to the club than Lovell and with the likes of Mark Patterson alongside him, the pair care passionately about Gillingham Football Club.

I don’t think it’s any real secret that the players want to play for Lovell and he’s well liked in the club, by the fans and throughout football in Kent.

So what’s the stumbling block? Lovell wants the job and has overseen an upturn in results in recent weeks since Peter Taylor’s departure.

More structure, more passion and a renewed sense of confidence amongst the playing staff. What more does Lovell have to do?

Yes he’s not a household name and no he hasn’t managed at any great level, but I think that’s just a red herring when it comes to managerial appointments.

Would Manchester United have refused the services of Sir Alex Ferguson because he hadn’t played at the highest level?

I’d have Lovell managing Gillingham any day over many of the people currently linked with the job. Why? Because, he cares about the club and isn’t just there for a pay cheque.

All too often nowadays there is no loyalty in football. That works both ways. Clubs ditch a manager as soon as they have a few bad results and managers leave clubs as soon as a better job comes along.

That’s not the case with Lovell. His connections with Gillingham go back over thirty years and he’s always been commited to staying at Priestfield, even when new managers have dispensed of his services.

He’s not a bad penny that comes rolling back, he’s a decent, hard working, honest bloke that cares.

In my book, that goes a bloody long way and I’d have no hesitation in giving him the job at least until the end of the season. What have Gillingham got to lose?

The danger now of bringing in someone new is that it will take a good number of weeks for the new person to get to know the players and time is fast running out on turning things around.

Lovell already knows the areas he would like to strengthen in the January transfer window, so I believe he should be given the green light to get on with it.

Stability is what Gillingham need at this difficult time. More uncertainty could lead to the club being relegated into League Two once again and with that it could jeopardise the club’s position as number one in Kent.

The likes of Ebbsfleet United, Maidstone United, Bromley and Dover Athletic have all got realistic ambitions to become Football League clubs in the next five to ten years and if Gillingham aren’t careful, they will be eclipsed by one of their local rivals.

You can always argue that now is a pivotal time in the club’s history, but I genuiely believe now is. Get it wrong now and the club could easily slip out of the League like Tranmere Rovers have. Get it right and you could be like Burnley in the Premier League.

One thing stays constant with any football club, no matter what happens on and off the pitch and that’s the fans.

Gillingham should, in my opinion, be looking to the next generation of fans and building for the next 20 to 30 years. With so many other clubs to support and entertainment at their fingertips, kids can easily choose something other than Gillingham Football Club.

I was brought up standing on the Rainham End, cheering on the side along with my family from an age when I could barely see what was going on.

It is now in my blood. Through thick or thin, good or bad, I will always support the club.

For me, it’s about time one of “us” is given that chance to guide the club into the future. Let that be Steve Lovell.