Summertime Blues 2016

This post will be used to keep abreast of the comings and going of Gillingham, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells during the close season.

Friday, 24th June: Rejecting overtures from Southend United, Stuart Nelson has signed a new two year contract to stay at Gillingham. Meanwhile, Jermaine McGlashen has made the move to the Essex club.

Friday, 17th June: Gillingham utility player, Aaron Morris has committed to the club after accepting a two year contract.

Thursday, 16th June: Justin Edinburgh further strengthens his midfield in the wake of the expected departure of Bradley Dack with the signing of Billy Knott from Bradford City.

Wednesday, 15th June: Gillingham make their first signing of the season with the much anticipated arrival of Mark Byrne from Newport County. The 27-year-old Irish midfielder joins up with Justin Edinburgh for a third time having been with him at Rushden and Diamonds as well as Newport.

Monday, 6th June: With time reportedly running out for the likes of Stuart Nelson, Josh Wright and Aaron Morris to sign on the dotted line, it is the youngsters that have committed themselves to Gillingham. Emmanuel Osadebe, Darren Oldaker and Tom Hadler putting pen to paper.

Friday, 27th May: Tonbridge have pulled of a major coup with the signing of Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson. Steve McKimm missed out on signing the player during the regular season when he opted to join Bishops Stortford from Grays, but has finally got his man when the player's work commitments changed.

Thursday, 26th May: Jack Brivio and Charlie Slocombe, fringe players in Tonbridge's first team squad have decided to seek pastures new in search of regular senior football. Brivio, a good prospect, is a loss whilst Slocombe, for several years in and around the first team deserves an opportunity elsewhere. Tuesday, 31 May: Brivio has signed for Burgess Hill.

Wednesday, 25th May: Glenn Morris, Gillingham's goalkeeping departee has found a new club and a new job at Crawley Town as player-goalkeeping coach. Charlie Webster, not retained by Tonbridge has signed for Hythe Town.

Tuesday, 17th May: McKimm is certainly a man with a clear objective in mind and in a hurry to complete it. Central defender George Beavon has arrived from Billericay. The 26-year-old was player of the year for the Essex club last season.

Monday, 16th May 2016: Tonbridge unveil their second signing of the summer, that of the experienced striker Andre McCollin, who spent last season at Kingstonian. As with last post-season, Steve McKimm looks to be getting his squad together early and with this the second 31-year-old, is adding experience to last season's team.

Friday, 13th May 2016: Assistant Manager Steve Lovell is to leave Gillingham. Tonbridge make their first signing of the summer, announcing the arrival of the vastly experienced Damian Scannell who had been released from Dulwich Hamlet.

Tuesday, 10th May 2016: Gillingham announce their retained list and the players leaving the club are Brennan Dickenson, Doug Loft, Jermaine McGlashen and Glenn Morris.

Monday, 9th May 2016: Tunbridge Wells pull off a major coup with the signing, on contract, of Ryan Crandley. The striker was released by Gillingham and would surely have attracted interest from Ryman clubs, but the youngster has decided to sign for the club he enjoyed a long loan spell last season.

Wednesday, 4th May 2016: Steve McKimm has quickly put the play-off disappointment behind him and has started re-shaping the Tonbridge squad for a tilt at the Ryman Premier title next season. His retained list names only four departures, Bradley Woods-Garness, Anthony Riviere, Laurence Ball and Charlie Webster. The same evening, Luke Allen accepted the terms offered for next season.

Lifetime match total: 2,559 (including England v Wales)
Number of grounds: 286