Gillingham manager Martin Allen says it is a privilege to be at Priestfield but he holds Barnet in high regard
by Andrew
Gidley
Martin Allen has admitted he is “privileged” to have been
appointed Gillingham manager but confessed he might well have been
in the home dugout at Barnet on Saturday had things turned out
differently.
Allen, who has had three spells in charge at Underhill, kept
the North London club in the Football League last season by winning
their last two games.
The rest is history with the 47-year-old taking over at
Priestfield and Mark Robson – the man many tipped to replace Andy
Hessenthaler in the hot-seat at Priestfield – taking the Bees
job.
Allen said: “I am privileged and lucky that the chairman has
given me the opportunity to come in and put a team together like
this.
“It’s a good feeling to be part of a very honest, decent group
of professional footballers.
“We have got team spirit, unity, great camaraderie, and
there’s plenty of character in this squad as well.”
Allen admitted going back to his old club was a special day
and hearing his name sung by both sets of fans was a magical
moment.
He said: “I really did want the job here. I thought it
was a great opportunity, and I had it in my mind that I could do
it.
“I wanted to be here and take it on, and thought I owed them
something because I walked out to go to Notts County at a critical
stage.”
Allen has promised himself another trip back to Underhill
before the end of the season as a fan, with the club set to move to
a new ground at the end of the current campaign.
Do you mind the Gills boss revealing his affinity for
another side? Have your say below.
11/09/12
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