How many managers have taken over at a club as a full time boss after scoring on their home debut for the same club in their playing days some 20 years before? 
Well new Gills boss Adrian Pennock falls into that category and he’s been talking about that as well as all other things Gillingham with KSN Football Editior Mike Green…
It was against Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday 3rd December 1996 – “it was a header from a corner,” Pennock recalled.
“The club has always been very close to me – I had a fantastic time here as a player for seven and a half years – I still live in the area and my children have grown up and gone to school here and so yes the club, the area, all close to my heart as has been said before.”
“I’ve been very humbled by the reaction of people since the announcement was made sending their best wishes to me – it really has been very humbling! These are very special fans who are very close to my heart and I know that they will give us everything and I want the place rocking and rolling again.”
“I’d love to put some more bums on seats and then for them to get on their feet to cheer us on to help us win games. I know home and away that the fans will give us everything and it will be appreciated I assure them all of that…”
“I’m going into it a little bit blind as I haven’t seen too much of this current side as I’ve been busy doing some bits for Cardiff and then the last six or seven weeks at Welling. I think I’ve seen four games so far this season with the family as supporters with the children.”
Drawing on the experience of the three managers he himself played under at Priestfield (Tony Pulis, Peter Taylor and Andy Hessenthaler) would surely have some influence on Pennock the Gills boss too?
“They all had their strengths and all had their little weaknesses, but if I can combine all three of them as well as the other managers who I’ve worked under, hopefully I’ll come out to be a good manager.”
“Of course I have my own ways as well so I’m just pleased to be on board – so very happy and can’t wait to get started and play at Oldham next week.”
“I think by not playing this weekend will be a blessing if I’m honest. We’ve got the boys in over the weekend and we want to hit the ground running at Oldham next week.”
“By getting the players in they’ll hopefully know what we expect of them before next Saturday. I really enjoyed Friday – meeting the Press and then meeting the players for a session afterwards so that we can get started straight away and get our teeth into things.”
“And to be fair, the players responded very well – they had two sessions Friday, they’ve had two more on Saturday and will work hard all next week. There’s a very talented group there – for one reason or another they haven’t got the results that they should have and that’s why I’m in the job and all credit to the Chairman in believing in me and I’m very humbled by some of the things that he’s said about me and his hopes.”
“Paul asked me what staff I’d like and Jamie (Day) and Steve (Lovell) were the first names on my list and the Chairman has backed me.”
“Jamie brings a very good work ethic with him; his knowledge is very good and he’s trustworthy and wants success as I do, which is exactly the same as Steve.”
“He of course has been at the club a long time until the last six months – he’s been around the club quite a while. What a knowledgeable football man and again I trust him.”
“His work ethic is the same as mine and I’ve known him since we played together for a while at Bournemouth. He’s very much older than me – a great finisher and of course where he lives in one part of the area, we often bump into each other – it was an absolute no-brainer for me at all.”
As most Kent Sports fans are aware, Lovell also excels with a golf club and we couldn’t resist ending our “opening day” discussion with the new Gills boss by checking on Pennock’s own “form”!
“Sadly I don’t play golf like Steve does,” he admitted. “I’m more of a fisherman and have been doing a lot of that in the time that I’ve been off. That said, I’m a fan of golf on the telly but have never really played the game.”
We then suggested that the boss and Day could well now have some influence on Lovell’s handicap to which the boss said laughing, “it (Steve’s handicap) will almost certainly go up I would think!”
“In all seriousness, I know that Steve, and Jamie for that matter, will work very hard for the football club and leave no stone unturned!”