Gillingham unveil the arrival of former Cambridge United boss Mark Bonner

GILLINGHAM have appointed Mark Bonner as their new first-team manager.

 

The 38-year-old has agreed a two-year deal at Priestfield and begins work with immediate effect.

Managing director Joe Comper is delighted to bring the former Cambridge United manager to the League Two club.

“We are thrilled that Mark has agreed to join us.  He has the experience to get us where we want to go,” said Comper in a statement.

“We were specifically looking for a leader with direct experience playing successfully in League Two.

“We were also looking for someone who had promoted a team out of the League and had the skills to build that sort of ambitious culture.”

Bonner began as Academy manager at Cambridge United, before working under then boss, Shaun Derry and assistant Joe Dunne in the first-team.

In January 2022, Bonner stepped up to temporarily take charge of first-team managers, winning four on the bounce which saw him given a two-year contract to take the role full-time.

In his first full season at the helm, Bonner guided the club to promotion from League Two by finishing as runners-up in the fourth-tier to Cheltenham Town.

He then led them to survival in League One the following season. He remained at Cambridge until November 2023.

Bonner said: “I am delighted to join Gillingham FC and can’t wait to get started as manager, as we get to work on preparing for the new season and building a team that supporters enjoy watching and a culture that the players love being part of.

“I have to thank Brad and Shannon (Galinson) for this opportunity and look forward to working closely with them, to achieve the ambitions of the football club.”

Director of football, Kenny Jackett, added: “I am thrilled to welcome Mark to Gillingham. Mark is a strategist and a thinker.

“He has proven himself in League One and League Two. He has a vision and an expertise on getting the most out of his players.

“I look forward to collaborating with Mark during this very important recruiting window.

“He has a specific way he wants to play and our department will do its best to give him what he needs.”

Gillingham will be playing Bromley in League Two next season after Andy Woodman’s side claimed promotion via the National League Promotion Play-Offs, beating Solihull Moors on 4-3 penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Striker Michael Cheek scored both of Bromley's goals, while captain Byron Webster scored the promotion-winning penalty.

The Ravens finished in third-place – their highest ever finish – and were promoted alongside champions Chesterfield, after beating Altrincham and Solihull Moors in the play-offs and shall play in the English Football League for the first time next season.

Visit Gillingham’s website: www.gillinghamfootballclub.com