Gillingham’s Silent Surge: What Has Changed At Priestfield?

Gillingham’s Silent Surge: What Has Changed at Priestfield?

Gillingham have flown under the radar so far this campaign and after nine games find themselves top of League Two. Despite being in the early stages of the season, the Gills have emerged as an unexpected candidate for the title. While their 17th-place finish in last season’s table gave fans nothing to be excited about, it appears that the club have reignited their spark under Gareth Ainsworth.

A New Manager At Priestfield

The appointment of Ainsworth in March 2025 has sent seismic shockwaves through the club, as the English manager has given Gillingham a new identity. The 52-year-old manager has been a breath of fresh air after the sacking of John Coleman, with Ainsworth’s long-term security and stability giving fans something to be hopeful about.

Ainsworth is yet to lose a game as Gills manager, with this weekend’s 3-1 win over Newport County stretching Gillingham’s unbeaten run to a club record 21 games. Despite a disappointing 17th last season, the club has been moving in the right direction ever since Ainsworth’s arrival.

This positive end to the campaign last time out has seamlessly transitioned into the start of the 2025/26 season, as the Gills are one of only five teams to remain unbeaten in England’s top four divisions. Ainsworth picked up the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month award in August, a month that saw the Gills claim 14 points from their first six league matches.

Gareth Ainsworth's #Gills are flying in @SkyBetLeagueTwo 🔝

Breaking records along the way 👏 #EFL pic.twitter.com/bgEXkAcuPq

— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) September 20, 2025

A Strong Summer Transfer Window

The team that tops League Two strengthened their squad more than most of their rivals in the summer transfer window. Several incomings and outgoings have freed the squad of any deadwood, and these moves have in turn improved the quality of players on the pitch.

The signings of 38-year-old veteran Garath McCleary and 35-year-old Sam Vokes have added that intangibly important extra experience and quality to the squad; while the duo have only played a combined total of seven games this season, their contributions to the team off the pitch cannot be understated.

Gillingham have also added reinforcements at the other end of the age spectrum, as 22-year-old Lenni Cirino and 24-year-old Andy Smith joined the club this summer. Cirino has only made two league appearances for the club but scored in Gillingham’s 4-1 win over Chesterfield.

However, since his arrival, Smith has been an integral part of Ainsworth’s team, starting eight of a possible nine league games. Half of those games have seen the Gills keep a clean sheet, proof that the club are defensively sound with their new additions.

In terms of the outgoings the club has made over the summer, it has also been a successful window in that department. Several players have departed the Gills on free transfers and loan deals, which has created space for these new arrivals.

The most noticeable loss the club received this summer was losing defender Max Ehmer, as he joined Ebbsfleet on a free transfer. Ehmer was one of Gillingham’s longest-serving players, serving just under nine years with the League Two outfit.

The only departure that had a transfer fee was Joseph Gbodé’s £350,000 move to Luton Town. The 20-year-old forward made 34 league appearances for the Gills last season, scoring three goals in that time - an excellent fee for a largely ineffective attacker.

Overall, Gillingham have benefited from appointing manager Gareth Ainsworth and being efficient in the summer transfer window. Securing a variety of signings across a broad spectrum coupled with releasing fringe players has enabled the current League Two leaders to force themselves into the title race.

We are delighted to announce the signing of Garath McCleary on a one-year deal. ✍️

Welcome, Garath! 🤝#Gills

— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) September 1, 2025

Reading Eying Up A Move For Ainsworth?

With all of the plaudits coming the way of Gareth Ainsworth, it’s impossible to avoid the speculation that naturally comes with it. The club most recently linked to the 52-year-old is Reading, with the Royals struggling down in 20th place in League One.

The former Wycombe Wanderers manager does have a connection to the third-tier outfit, as Reading are owned by former Wycombe chief Rob Couhig. Is that enough of a relationship to brutally pluck Ainsworth away from Gillingham? Only time will tell.

It’s no surprise that Couhig has his former colleague high up in his list to replace current Reading boss Noel Hunt. During Ainsworth and Couhig’s time together, they fired the Chairboys into the Championship for the first time in Wycombe’s history.

Despite being relegated from the second tier the following season in the 2020/21 campaign, the duo managed to challenge for the playoff positions in League One. After eventually parting ways in February 2023 when Ainsworth joined Queens Park Rangers, it could be the perfect time for the duo to join forces once again.

Despite the stars looking set to align for the band to get back together at Reading, the current Gillingham manager will be cautious before making any rash decisions. Now that he is having a remarkable stint in Kent, will he be willing to risk it all and join Reading?

Reading are weighing up the possibility of a move Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth should the club part ways with Noel Hunt. [@FootballLeagueW] #readingfc pic.twitter.com/JKpoqthOfl

— Talk Reading (@TalkReading) September 15, 2025