Peter Taylor returns to Gillingham to become director of football

GILLINGHAM have confirmed Adrian Pennock will stay on as head coach next season, with former boss Peter Taylor returning to the club as director of football.

Pennock, 46, was appointed until the end of the 2016-17 season following Justin Edinburgh’s departure on 3 January 2017.

The former Welling United and Forest Green Rovers manager guided the Kent club to 20^th place in the League One table, just one place and one point clear of the relegation zone.

Taylor, 64, returns to Priestfield Stadium after two previous spells as manager.

During his first spell in charge of the club, Taylor led the Gills to promotion to the second tier via the Division Two play-offs. He was re-appointed as manager in November 2013, but was sacked after 14 months in charge.

A Gillingham statement said: “Following meetings with chairman Paul Scally this afternoon, Gillingham Football Club can confirm Ady Pennock will be continuing as head coach for the 2017-18 Sky Bet League One season.

“Furthermore, we are delighted to announce that Peter Taylor will be returning to the MEMS Priestfield Stadium as our new director of football. He will oversee recruitment and all footballing policy.

“The club will make further announcements in due course.”

The club have not stated the current positions of Steve Lovell or Jamie Day, who quit Bromley and Welling United respectively to form a part of Pennock’s managerial team at the turn of the year.

Bromley, managed by former Gillingham midfielder Neil Smith, completed their second Vanarama National League campaign in a personal best tenth-placed finish with 62 points in the bag.

Visit Gillingham’s website: www.gillinghamfootballclub.com