Stimson out to prove the doubters wrong once again

Mark Stimson is no stranger to proving people wrong. After all, it was just months ago that he was a man under enormous pressure. After relegation from League One and an indifferent start to the season in League Two, Stimson's Gillingham side were feeling the fan's wrath - and it was the manager feeling the brunt of the criticism.

At Priestfield, the fans were becoming more and more vocal in expressing their frustrations. Petitions were signed, demanding his dismissal. But Stimson refused to be forced out. He wouldn't budge.

Of course, his persistence eventually paid off. A strong end to the season saw Stimson guide the Gills into the playoff picture, and to Wembley. A last-minute Simeon Jackson header saw the Gills defeat Shrewsbury - bringing Gillingham back into the third tier of English football after a one year absence.

It was a victory in which Stimson took great pleasure. His transfer policies and man-management skills were often the focus of severe criticism from the Gillingham fan-base. Then again, when it comes to management, Stimson isn't averse to taking a risk - or doing things his way.

Take his time at Grays Athletic. After overseeing the most successful period in the club's 116 year history, with a Conference South title and successive FA Trophy successes to his name, Stimson took a gamble. Harbouring dreams of managing in the Football League, he decided to resign from his post. And eventually, the gamble paid off, though not immediately. After a productive spell at non-league Stevenage, a spell which brought another FA Trophy success, Gillingham came calling.

He couldn't arrest the slide immediately, however. Despite arriving in early November, Gillingham were in trouble, and Stimson was unable to save the Gills from relegation. At first, fans and players alike struggled to grasp his management style. Former players went as far to describe his man-management as "shocking". To combat this, the decision was made to bring in young and hungry players from his days in Non-League days, and the players who "only cared about picking up their pay cheques" were let go.

And that policy was no more vindicated than at Wembley. It was fitting that Jackson, a £150,000 signing from Rushden and Diamonds, scored the winner that secured promotion. He, along with the likes of club captain Barry Fuller and John Nutter, all played their part, and showed they were more than Football League castoffs. These boys could play.

The future is certainly bright for Gillingham. Simon King is seen as seen as one of the hottest defensive prospects in the lower leagues. And the aforementioned Jackson has already attracted the interests of various Premier League clubs, though with 20 goals to his name last season, it's not hard to see why. Indeed, Stimson's young side have built themselves quite a reputation, combining attractive and ambitious football with impressive results.

And this season, they get to prove themselves further. With trips to Leeds, Norwich and Southampton to come, the odds will be stacked against Gillingham from the start. You feel Stimson, and indeed his squad, wouldn't have it any other way.