Stickied League 2 Transfer Rumours/Confirmed Transfers 2023/24

[Conker]

Quite the opposite, our owner is an incredibly level-headed guy with a very good business head on his shoulders.

Radford is also a level-headed guy with a very good business head on his shoulders, but in prior years he’s definitely let other people convince him to spend way more on players than was ever necessary, thankfully that got reigned in.

I think when Gills do business you always seem to hear about the shock at the money being spent, I haven’t got a problem with it and I’ll take your word it’s being better spent this window, and I’ll always find the refusal and denial highly amusing (not necessarily from yourself)

What’s gone off with Lapslie then? The only thing holding him back at Mansfield was too many injuries, definitely a unique player at this level and not someone I would consider run of the mill. Laps, Hawkins, Nichols if fit are all capable of being in a promotion side. That being said it was fantastic business from Mansfield last January, to replace them two with Kilgour and DKD for less - I cannot remember a stronger January for us.

 

[joethegill]

Radford is also a level-headed guy with a very good business head on his shoulders, but in prior years he’s definitely let other people convince him to spend way more on players than was ever necessary, thankfully that got reigned in.

I think when Gills do business you always seem to hear about the shock at the money being spent, I haven’t got a problem with it and I’ll take your word it’s being better spent this window, and I’ll always find the refusal and denial highly amusing (not necessarily from yourself)

What’s gone off with Lapslie then? The only thing holding him back at Mansfield was too many injuries, definitely a unique player at this level and not someone I would consider run of the mill. Laps, Hawkins, Nichols if fit are all capable of being in a promotion side. That being said it was fantastic business from Mansfield last January, to replace them two with Kilgour and DKD for less - I cannot remember a stronger January for us.

I actually think a lot of the difference of opinion between our fans and other clubs is one of expectation. Up until last season we'd had 10 consecutive years at League One level, so a player that might seem pricey for fans of a League Two club came across as pretty run-of-the-mill for us as quite simply we're used to better. I don't know if that's true or not, but I don't think it's necessarily a controversial thing to say and that's certainly how it comes across on here, and players like Hawkins and Lapslie are absolutely nowhere near the level that we've been used to for a long, long time. Lapslie runs around a lot and looks ok on the ball but he's not effective and doesn't get enough goals or assists. Hawkins is useful in that he's our only forward with a physical presence, but he's not great. When I compare him to other 'target' style forwards we've had in previous League Two campaigns - Danny Kedwell, Bayo Akinfenwa, Deon Burton - he just doesn't compare. Whereas for Mansfield (and this isn't meant disrespectfully), you're sort of used to a different level of player having been in this league and below for a generation.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

That Twitter account also reckons Notts have made a 500k offer to Walsall for Isaac Hutchinson. They just make stuff up.

It is because according to it we’ve bought Luke Young off of you

 

[EnglishRed]

It is because according to it we’ve bought Luke Young off of you

We are expecting Young to move on so not out of the realms. of possibility, but just seems like guesswork to me.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

We are expecting Young to move on so not out of the realms. of possibility, but just seems like guesswork to me.

Got to be, we rarely pay for players so unless you’re giving him away I doubt it’s us

 

[Conker]

I actually think a lot of the difference of opinion between our fans and other clubs is one of expectation. Up until last season we'd had 10 consecutive years at League One level, so a player that might seem pricey for fans of a League Two club came across as pretty run-of-the-mill for us as quite simply we're used to better. I don't know if that's true or not, but I don't think it's necessarily a controversial thing to say and that's certainly how it comes across on here, and players like Hawkins and Lapslie are absolutely nowhere near the level that we've been used to for a long, long time. Lapslie runs around a lot and looks ok on the ball but he's not effective and doesn't get enough goals or assists. Hawkins is useful in that he's our only forward with a physical presence, but he's not great. When I compare him to other 'target' style forwards we've had in previous League Two campaigns - Danny Kedwell, Bayo Akinfenwa, Deon Burton - he just doesn't compare. Whereas for Mansfield (and this isn't meant disrespectfully), you're sort of used to a different level of player having been in this league and below for a generation.

It’s not taken disrespectfully I mean we are used to better players than Gillingham at this moment and that’s what matters, thankfully due to having players like Aden Flint and DKD I’m aware of the difference between them but I do think it’s a poor argument, I’m fully aware of Laps and Hawkins downfalls, I mean Lapslie did not start for us that often and Hawks was converted to a CB!

Gillingham are probably comfortably outspending what they did in L1 for L2 players now, so maybe if you’re so used to better you should be asking questions why you ain’t getting it considering someone like Lapslie is earning way more than loads of L1 players.

 

[Stocky]

I actually think a lot of the difference of opinion between our fans and other clubs is one of expectation. Up until last season we'd had 10 consecutive years at League One level, so a player that might seem pricey for fans of a League Two club came across as pretty run-of-the-mill for us as quite simply we're used to better. I don't know if that's true or not, but I don't think it's necessarily a controversial thing to say and that's certainly how it comes across on here, and players like Hawkins and Lapslie are absolutely nowhere near the level that we've been used to for a long, long time. Lapslie runs around a lot and looks ok on the ball but he's not effective and doesn't get enough goals or assists. Hawkins is useful in that he's our only forward with a physical presence, but he's not great. When I compare him to other 'target' style forwards we've had in previous League Two campaigns - Danny Kedwell, Bayo Akinfenwa, Deon Burton - he just doesn't compare. Whereas for Mansfield (and this isn't meant disrespectfully), you're sort of used to a different level of player having been in this league and below for a generation.

Nobody thinks the players you're signing are really good, just that you're paying an awful lot for them. They aren't the same thing.

 

[AusGill]

Nobody thinks the players you're signing are really good, just that you're paying an awful lot for them. They aren't the same thing.

If you believe everyone on here then we have doubled the wages of Hawkins, Lapslie Dieng and Nichols. Then paid “stupid” wages to Jonny Williams, Hutton (someone said similar to Powell wages? Lol ). We will also be paying big money to Bonne, Masterson, Malone and Mahoney from leagues above. Plus we have a few players still on L1 wages from a year ago.

How are we supposed to fit all them in under FFP and afford it on 6k crowds?

So I call B/S to all the rumoured wages. Definitely not the levels you lot all reckon. No where near.

 

[Conker]

If you believe everyone on here then we have doubled the wages of Hawkins, Lapslie Dieng and Nichols. Then paid “stupid” wages to Jonny Williams, Hutton (someone said similar to Powell wages? Lol ). We will also be paying big money to Bonne, Masterson, Malone and Mahoney from leagues above. Plus we have a few players still on L1 wages from a year ago.

How are we supposed to fit all them in under FFP and afford it on 6k crowds?

So I call B/S to all the rumoured wages. Definitely not the levels you lot all reckon. No where near.

It’s not FFP it’s SCMP and it’s 55% of turnover on wages max which is easily inflated via sponsorship, or equity etc. basically zero limit.

 

[EnglishRed]

Plucky little Gillingham.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Haven't we already seen the table showing each club's estimated squad budget? I know it's largely guess work but where were Gillingham in that?

Also, Powell as the league's top earner

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

Rumours of Kelly from Rotherham at our end.
Might be worth a punt

 

[AusGill]

Haven't we already seen the table showing each club's estimated squad budget? I know it's largely guess work but where were Gillingham in that?

Also, Powell as the league's top earner

Think about 7th or 8th. And yet we are apparently paying 10 of our squad double their wage ‍elsewhere.

 

[AusGill]

It’s not FFP it’s SCMP and it’s 55% of turnover on wages max which is easily inflated via sponsorship, or equity etc. basically zero limit.

Yeah, I know that. Different methods, similar restraints.

So, given our 6-7k home crowds, you think our sponsorships and other income is going to be well above the likes of Stockport, Wrexham, Mansfield, Notts C, Bradford etc etc. No, I don’t either.

I’ve no doubt we are paying over the odds for some of our players. We had to, to get out of the mire last season. But there’s no way we have made offers double what other clubs have. And Hutton being on Powell “super wages”?? You’re having a larf.

We wouldn’t/couldn’t match Stockport for Olaofe last season. Couldn’t get near Alfie May in the summer. Refused to pay the wages wanted by Akinyemi(?) who went to York. York FFS! And suddenly someone reckons we’d pay double wages to other players and a big wedge for a RWB off contract in 4 months. Ok.

 

[Conker]

Yeah, I know that. Different methods, similar restraints.

So, given our 6-7k home crowds, you think our sponsorships and other income is going to be well above the likes of Stockport, Wrexham, Mansfield, Notts C, Bradford etc etc. No, I don’t either.

I’ve no doubt we are paying over the odds for some of our players. We had to, to get out of the mire last season. But there’s no way we have made offers double what other clubs have. And Hutton being on Powell “super wages”?? You’re having a larf.

We wouldn’t/couldn’t match Stockport for Olaofe last season. Couldn’t get near Alfie May in the summer. Refused to pay the wages wanted by Akinyemi(?) who went to York. York FFS! And suddenly someone reckons we’d pay double wages to other players and a big wedge for a RWB off contract in 4 months. Ok.

Eventually we’ll get an idea through accounts, obviously not personal incomes but a median and an overall, think you’ll be in for a shock. Laps contract offer from Gills compared to Mansfield was a six figure difference over its entirety.

It’s a strong position to be in, other clubs in this division are funded externally to pay really good wages so why not Gillingham? Like you say you were in the shit last season. Embrace it. If you get promoted it’ll be easier to accept.

Also remember the rules on this forum, the more you deny the higher the wage budget becomes, so I’d pack it in now.

 

[AusGill]

Also remember the rules on this forum, the more you deny the higher the wage budget becomes, so I’d pack it in now.

Point taken. I’ll pack it in too.

Expect JCH to be unveiled in front of our famous orange curtains on Monday

 

[Conker]

Point taken. I’ll pack it in too.

Expect JCH to be unveiled in front of our famous orange curtains on Monday

I’d fancy promotion if that happens!

 

[Monkey Tennis]

I find all this talk of high wages ironic coming from Mansfield fans, when they were paying Matt Rhead £5k a week in non-league more than a decade ago.

 

[Stocky]

We wouldn’t/couldn’t match Stockport for Olaofe last season.

I can tell you straight up that isn't true. You matched the wages we offered and then some. He chose us for footballing reasons (we were play offs and you were near the bottom at the time) and also because we'd chased him for months prior so felt more inclined to come to us.

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

Barrow are the real Chelsea of this division.
Splashing their dosh around like a flash spiv.
Under the radar my arse.
Shouldn’t be allowed.

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

I can tell you straight up that isn't true. You matched the wages we offered and then some. He chose us for footballing reasons (we were play offs and you were near the bottom at the time) and also because we'd chased him for months prior so felt more inclined to come to us.

I think we were actually rock bottom at the time.

 

[Posh Harry]

I can tell you straight up that isn't true. You matched the wages we offered and then some. He chose us for footballing reasons (we were play offs and you were near the bottom at the time) and also because we'd chased him for months prior so felt more inclined to come to us.

They weren’t footballing reasons, they were footballing dreams

 

[Amber Nectar]

I find all this talk of high wages ironic coming from Mansfield fans, when they were paying Matt Rhead £5k a week in non-league more than a decade ago.

Matt Rhead was working at JCB when he signed for us. Maybe take the 'k' and that was probably more realistic than £5k

 

[Conker]

I find all this talk of high wages ironic coming from Mansfield fans, when they were paying Matt Rhead £5k a week in non-league more than a decade ago.

Dreadful example, I can give you some proper ones for the future if you’d like!

 

[Monkey Tennis]

Dreadful example, I can give you some proper ones for the future if you’d like!

Giving Paul Cox a new Rolls Royce every time you beat Barrow. Flash bastards.

 

[Conker]

Giving Paul Cox a new Rolls Royce every time you beat Barrow. Flash bastards.

It was an Aston Martin, get it right.

 

[EnglishRed]

Rhead needed 5k a week to fund his pie habit.

 

[Ellis]

If you believe everyone on here then we have doubled the wages of Hawkins, Lapslie Dieng and Nichols. Then paid “stupid” wages to Jonny Williams, Hutton (someone said similar to Powell wages? Lol ). We will also be paying big money to Bonne, Masterson, Malone and Mahoney from leagues above. Plus we have a few players still on L1 wages from a year ago.

How are we supposed to fit all them in under FFP and afford it on 6k crowds?

So I call B/S to all the rumoured wages. Definitely not the levels you lot all reckon. No where near.

There is no such thing as FFP at this level. Any cash/equity injection being put into the club by an owner counts as turnover.

The rule is 55% of turnover. If an owner puts in £30m of equity they can effectively have a wage budget of 16.5m a year. Nothing to do with cheesed/inflated sponsorships

 

[Gi Dalor]

Maybe this has been posted already, but with regard to finances in our division, Andy Holt is, as ever upfront.

https://x.com/AndyhHolt/status/1748264271073407042?s=20

 

[Chief Rocka]

Son of Cod GTFCfish Gladders any other Grimsby bods' what's the status on Luke Waterfall, heard today we're interested in a loan move? Load of shite? doable?