Gillingham manager Neil Harris nominated for Sky Bet League 2 manager-of-the-month award for August along with MK Dons’ Graham Alexander, AFC Wimbledon’s Johnnie Jackson and Luke Williams of Notts County
Published: 10:42, 05 September 2023
Gillingham manager Neil Harris has been nominated for a monthly award after a super start to the 2023/24 campaign.
Harris is one of four managers nominated for the Sky Bet League 2 August manager-of-the-month award for League 2.
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In nominating Harris, the judging panel said: “Gillingham’s form since the turn of 2023 meant that Harris’s side entered the new season with roaring expectations that would be hard to meet.
“Four 1-0 victories from their first four of five games only stoked the optimism in Kent still further.”
The Gills became the first team in Football League history to win their first four games by the same scoreline at the start of a season. Four straight wins also matched the club’s previous best start to a campaign.
Harris’ men also beat Championship side Southampton in the EFL Cup in early August but their run of wins was ended by a surprise 3-0 home defeat against Colchester United.
It was MK Dons who finished August in pole position in League 2, on goal difference ahead of the Gills. They also won four and had one defeat, although managed 12 goals in the process.
“Turning around a relegated team when you are new to the club and have to assemble a squad quickly is no easy task,” said the panel of the Dons boss.
AFC Wimbledon finished the month unbeaten with two wins and three draws.
Notts County, who won promotion from the National League last season, recovered from an opening-day 5-1 defeat at Sutton to collect 10 points from their next four games.
The Gills started September with a 2-0 defeat at Grimsby Town while Notts County have jumped to the top of the table above MK Dons, who were also beaten at the weekend, losing to Crewe. Wimbledon made it four draws from six to remain unbeaten.
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Luke Cawdell