It was a frustrating season for Gillingham. They started the season so well and many felt that an automatic promotion push was a real possibility. However a dip in form meant that they were playing catch-up. They ultimately ended the season just outside the play-off spots.
Justin Edinburgh has acted swiftly to make plans ahead of next season. Contracts have been offered to seven, with another youngster offered professional terms. Four first-teamers leave the club, including club captain Doug Loft.
Loft played exactly 70 times for the Gills since joining at the beginning of the 2014/15 campaign. He has had some injury problems at times, but he has served as club captain ever since joining. His final game was the weekend defeat to Millwall, which was his sixteenth league start of the season.
Another who started the Millwall game was the versatile Brennan Dickenson. Of the 46 League One matches this season, he played a part in 33 of those so it is perhaps a slight surprise that he is leaving Priestfield. Like Loft and the other two released players, they joined prior to the 2014/15 campaign.
Former Cheltenham Town wide man Jermaine McGlashan also moves on after a frustrating season. After a positive first campaign he failed to kick on again this season, although first-team opportunities were fewer and farer between, starting less than ten times in 2015/16.
Finally, goalkeeper Glenn Morris leaves having failed to make a single appearance this season.
Key players Stuart Nelson, John Egan, Aaron Morris and Josh Wright have all been offered extended terms by Edinburgh. It is hoped that they will all sign up, but no officially confirmation has been made yet. Youngsters Mitchell Dickenson, Elliott List, Emmanuel Osadebe and Darren Oldaker have also received offers, meaning it is eight who the club are awaiting a response from.
