Home   Medway   Sport   Article

The Shouting Men with Gillingham midfielder Regan Charles-Cook

This season has been a frustrating one with injuries for me but it’s been a learning curve too.

You start the season off very bright but when you are young and playing and in good form you just want to get back out there as quick as possible, even when you know it’s not right.

I was just buzzing to be playing but I have learnt that if something is hurting you, just step out of it for one or two games, rather than keep trying to go out there.

Injuries have hampered Regan Charles-Cook's season Picture: Ady Kerry
Injuries have hampered Regan Charles-Cook's season Picture: Ady Kerry

It does affect your match fitness and your form and your confidence if you are not right. If you are not right you are not doing yourself any favours.

I have had hamstring problems, my ankle too, but I have learned my lessons and better now than later. I know what to work on and what to do next season.

The injury I picked up at Peterborough last weekend isn’t a serious one and I should be fine for the weekend.

I collided with Barry Fuller massively. We were both running at full pelt to try and stop their second goal, I didn’t see him and we collided. We are both alright and hope to be training Thursday (today).

It was my hip, I’ve had a bit of ice on it and kept it mobile, taken a few paracetamol and there shouldn’t be any problem for Saturday.

I am looking to forward to seeing my brother Reice this weekend.

He’s been on the bench for Shrewsbury in recent weeks and he’s likely to be there at Priestfield as the back-up goalkeeper.

Regan's brother Reice Charles-Cook up against the Gills and Coventry City back in 2015 Picture: Barry Goodwin
Regan's brother Reice Charles-Cook up against the Gills and Coventry City back in 2015 Picture: Barry Goodwin

I have met him in a game before when he was at Coventry and I was at Charlton, we were younger and it was only an under-23 game, I haven’t seen him for a couple of weeks so it will be nice to have a chat and I would be buzzing if he got the chance to play.

I don’t think they will change their current goalkeeper though so he might be on the bench, but it would be good to see him anyway and there are a couple of the boys here who used to play with him when he was young, like Josh Rees.

This will be the first time we’ve been on opposite teams for a league game. We will greet each other like family off the pitch but once we step over the white line and when your focused you’re not family any more.

It would be lovely to play against him and score but I don’t think that will happen.

I am just happy to see him, that’s the main thing.

Regan Charles-Cook gives the Rochdale defence much to think about Picture: Ady Kerry
Regan Charles-Cook gives the Rochdale defence much to think about Picture: Ady Kerry

It’s another big game for us, another cup final and we just want to get to that 50 point mark that we need. It would be a big three points, especially against a team who are around you, just one point off you. Whoever wins it’s going to be big.

If we can just get this job done now we can look forward to next season and be raring to go.

Hopefully I will be able to go out onto the pitch and do what I can in these last five games, contribute as much as I can and hopefully get some more goals and assists, while also helping the team defensively.

The chance to come here this season and play first team football for me was big and I have learned a lot. It is a good learning curve for me and I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given. I want to finish on a high now and take it into next season.

Brandon Hanlan also came here this year and he has done very well, he has picked up some form and I am buzzing for him. I have known him for years and I know what he can do, he is picking up confidence now and it’s good to see.

Team-mates on the field and friends off it. Regan is pleased Brandon Hanlan has impressed this season Picture: Ady Kerry
Team-mates on the field and friends off it. Regan is pleased Brandon Hanlan has impressed this season Picture: Ady Kerry

We are capable of finishing mid-table this season, with the players in the changing room and the staff behind us. They push us and give us confidence and I am confident we can get a couple more wins and cement ourselves there.

The table is constantly changing but I try not to look at the table too much, only really after a game if we win. I have never seen a league table so tight at the bottom. There are five games left and we would like to get it (be safe) done as early as possible and that’s what we have to strive to do.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More