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Gillingham boss Steve Evans has strengthened his backroom team with a new goalkeeper coach.
Ian Pledger previously worked at the Gills during Justin Edinburgh’s tenure and when he became available again this summer, Evans had no hesitation in bringing him in.
Pledger will work with first-choice keeper Jack Bonham and young stopper Joe Walsh this season, having most recently been at League 2 Stevenage.
The Gills had Simon Royce in that role last season but he left in July as the club looked to make savings.
“The chairman looked through all of the departments and we needed to cut numbers,” Evans said.
“Roycey went mid summer. Ian had been at Stevenage and I asked if he could come in and do the boys for the first week.
“In fairness to (chairman) Paul Scally, he watched him work with the boys and came to me and said ‘let’s see if we can make it happen.’ We have saved money in the process, Simon Royce versus Ian.
“He has been here before, he knows the club and the chairman and had some good times here under Justin. I have worked with him before and so it was an easy decision.
“Stevenage weren’t sure what they were doing in that department and it just worked. It wasn’t planned. Simon was a very good goalkeeper coach and a personal friend.”
Evans will now have to make a decision on young keeper Walsh, and whether or not he heads out on loan to get some action. Bonham still holds the no.1 shirt and played in both the Carabao Cup and the EFL Trophy as the season got underway.
“Teams have come in to take Joe on loan,” Evans confirmed.
“It is an option and I will speak to the chairman but if I am going to bring someone in (on loan to replace Walsh) I am not just going to bring an equivalent to Joe in, I am going to bring someone in who can compete with Jack and I have a couple in mind.”
Bonham showed his class last Saturday with a number of solid saves as the Gills beat Southend United.
Speaking about his weekend performance, Evans commented: “Bonham is a top goalkeeper in League 1 isn't he?
“People can talk about the back four infront of him but he is the boy who ultimately keeps it out. I think he was very assured. They had a few shots driven in, from long range, but nothing came off him and that is credit from the goalkeeping coach and credit to Jack himself.”
