Charlton Athletic star Gillingham missed could have had transformative impact: View | OneFootball

Last summer Gillingham wanted to sign Cheltenham striker Alfie May, but he opted to sign for Charlton, leaving fans wondering what might have been.

Gillingham are looking to have a real crack at promotion from League Two in 2024-25, and they’re already making strides to improve their squad ahead of the coming campaign.

Their position - a club with a little money to spend and a desire to strengthen - mirrors the position Gillingham found themselves in last season, when a transfer that got away played a part in a season of frustration in front of goal for the Kent club.

One year ago, Gillingham’s need for goals was almost as acute as it was at the start of this summer. Back then, the club had managed to avoid the potential disaster of relegation to the National League, thanks in no small part to the takeover of the club by Florida businessman Brad Galinson.

That takeover, and his immediate investment into the team, allowed the club to strengthen in January with the signings of forwards Tom Nichols and Oli Hawkins, and the little-man/big-man combination played its part in helping the Gills claw their way out of danger with an impressive run of form.

However, after having to battle their way out of trouble the previous season, the overriding view around Priestfield was that reinforcements were need to ensure the club didn’t suffer a similar season the following campaign. And, at the top of the shopping list, in the eyes of many connected with the club, was a genuine goalscorer to turn a solid Gills outfit into potential contenders.

Numerous names were linked to the club, but the one player who captured the imagination of Gills fans online was Cheltenham Town striker Alfie May.

May had hit 43 goals in the previous two seasons in League One, but with his departure from Whaddon Road imminent, the race was on to secure the signing of one of the most prolific hitmen in the lower divisions. And when Gillingham were linked with his signature, the excitement level among the fanbase reached rare heights.

Gillingham were "favourites" to sign Alfie May in late June 2023

By the end of June, rumours had turned to full-on news stories, with the Gills reportedly making a bid for May, though Charlton Athletic and Derby County were also thought to be interested. Such was the Gills’ interest, local Gloucestershire sports reporter Jon Palmer even described Gillingham as “clear favourites” to land the striker.

The stars looked like they might align to bring May, who was born not far up the road in Gravesend and had played 19 league games for local non-league side Chatham Town, to Priestfield. He’d even had an unsuccessful trial at Priestfield.

But the one thing Gillingham couldn’t offer May was League One football. Charlton, however, could, and it was the Addicks who signed May, much to the disappointment of Gillingham’s fans.

Then, despite missing out on May, Gillingham failed to bring in a suitable finisher from elsewhere. It left the team short of a goalscorer, and it was a problem the club were unable to fix through the entire season.

Signing Alfie May could have transformed Gillingham’s fortunes

The season that followed saw a lot go wrong at Priestfield. Despite a good start to the campaign, manager Neil Harris was sacked and replaced with head coach Stephen Clemence. But neither man was able to turn the Gills into a side that could find the net regularly during the campaign.

Meanwhile, at Charlton, May was banging in the goals at The Valley, netting 23 times in the league to finish the season as League One's Golden Boot winner.

But what if the Gills had been successful in signing May? Things at Priestfield could look very different today.

Last season could certainly have been a more successful one. With May banging in the goals up front, Gillingham would almost certainly have been contenders for the playoffs at least, and maybe even for one of the automatic promotion places. Indeed, with a prolific hitman leading the line, Gillingham could even be preparing League One football this coming season.

That success on the pitch may also have meant that we’d be starting this season with a different face in charge of the team. Had Neil Harris been given the firepower he desperately needed in the summer, he could potentially still be in post at Priestfield, though what’s transpired in real life has exposed apparent issues between the former Gills boss and certain, unnamed, members of the Gillingham hierarchy. Potentially, those issues could have still been there, even if Harris’ team was performing on the pitch, and even if the club was getting ready for life in a higher division.

Instead, last season’s lack of goals has ultimately meant that Gillingham now have their third boss in the space of a year, with Mark Bonner now getting ready for his first season at the club.

Despite a disappointing season, Gillingham have reasons for optimism

Gillingham may not have had a promotion-winning season last year, but what they do appear to have heading into the 2024-25 campaign is some positivity.

Bonner is working in concert with the club’s recruitment team to bring new players to Priestfield, and Gillingham's squad already looks noticeably more dangerous than last season’s roster.

The vibe around the club is overwhelmingly positive, and season ticket sales and kit purchases are indicating the club will be backed by an even larger fanbase this season, with the club targeting an ambitious target of 4,000 season ticket holders for the coming campaign.

The club is still in League Two, however, and with Brad Galinson stating that the club is "impatient" for promotion, the team will be expected to fare much better than they did last year.

They may not have Alfie May up front, but despite a difficult year after missing out on his signing, things are starting to look up at Priestfield.