Sam Muggleton prepares one of his trademark throws Pic: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gills manager Martin Allen has been thrilled by the progress made by young left-back Sam Muggleton.

Muggleton, 17, made his debut last weekend in the final game of the season, at Burton.

"Would anybody have known it was his debut?" said Allen.

"Four months ago he got kicked out of college because he was naughty and he only came down to Gillingham for a week, so we could be horrible to him and try and put him straight.

"I saw him in training and thought, ‘blimey, he’s okay’ and he could throw the ball 50 yards. We decided to train him hard, toughen him up and get some discipline in his life. He has responded fantastically well.

"He has lost a lot of weight, got fitter and fitter. He is only going to get fitter and stronger, just look at the size of his dad.

"You know where Muggleton is going to go and he is not fazed by it, he’s the calmest kid I have ever met."