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The Shouting Men: Gillingham ladies manager Jack Wheeler writes exclusively for the KM Group

There is potential that both the men’s and women’s teams can enjoy success this season.

It would be wonderful for the club to have both promoted in the same season.

We have only lost once in the league this season and have managed to turn it around after what was a disappointing season last time around, ending in relegation.

Gillingham ladies manager Jack Wheeler Picture: Andy Payton
Gillingham ladies manager Jack Wheeler Picture: Andy Payton

Myself and James Marrs were managers two years ago, coming second in the league on the last day and narrowly missing out on promotion.

James went to Brighton at the end of that season and I also left as Simon Ratcliffe took over but the club were relegated. Darren Hare then called me and asked me to return and I was delighted to.

We are all determined to go back up this season and win promotion. We have games in hand over those teams above us in Women’s South East, Division 1.

We would be three points behind leaders Crystal Palace if we win those two games in hand so it’s looking like being an interesting end to the season, especially as only one team are to be promoted.

We played Luton last weekend and they were just above us before the game in third but we won 4-0. That’s nine goals in two games, which is great for our goal difference.

This Sunday we are playing second from bottom Lowestoft Town but we can’t be complacent.

Before getting involved with the Gills, I worked at the David Beckham Academy in Greenwich.

One of the coaches there was James Marrs and he encouraged me to get involved with Gillingham. I was at the Beckham academy until it closed and I was made redundant.

After working as a PE teacher, I started my own company, the Pro Kickers Academy, which is now my full-time job.

James is still manager at Brighton and they are sitting top of their league and still in the FA Cup. A lot of the players that were previously at Gillingham are now progressing well there.

Read the full column in Friday's Medway Messenger

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