By David Pritchard
GILLINGHAM’S relegation into League Two will not pose the club any large financial problems, according to the club’s new chief executive Mark Jones.
Defeat at Leeds last weekend ended a miserable season for Gills and finally condemned them to the fourth tier of English football for the first time in 13 seasons.
Playing in the basement division, they now face games against unglamorous sides such as Aldershot Town, Morecambe and Accrington Stanley.
As a League Two side, Gills will receive less money from the Football League and are less likely to have games televised, a lucrative source of income.
But Jones, who began his new role last month, told Kent on Sunday he believes the club will not suffer financially from relegation.
He said:“There is a small difference in going from League One to League Two in terms of the income from the league. It’s not that big and I feel we will be able to get there with bigger gates and a stronger playing side which will help us next year.
"I think we will be near the top end of League Two next year - if not win it. I think if we are playing well and success is what we are up to, then people will want to see a winning side, they prefer it and I think we will get back to where we should be.”
Jones has around 20 years experience in the commercial side of sport, including stints at Coventry City, Watford and Lingfield Park racecourse.
He has taken on the day-to-day running of Gills’ business operations, giving chairman Paul Scally more time to find investors for the club’s new stadium plans from his base in Dubai.
The decisions on transfers and contracts on the playing side will still be handled by Scally.
While Jones insists financially the club could sustain a prolonged spell in League Two, he believes for the sake of the fans it is imperative they bounce straight back.
He said:“It’s important as the main Kent-based club that we can do that, it should be an ambition. We were very close this year and I think it’s important for everyone to get behind the team next season and for us to play well if we are to be a successful side. If we could bounce back that would be tremendous.”
Jones is overseeing a restructuring process within the club to make it more efficient and profitable, but is clear that relegation will not lead to job losses.
He already has plans to raise extra income by starting a club lottery and is looking at ways to bolster the club’s merchandising arm.
The Gills’ megastore can be quiet during the week with little passing trade. To solve this problem Jones is exploring ways to get the products out to a broader market, including the possibility of new stores elsewhere or a mobile shop.
Despite the failure on the pitch last season, he is excited about the future.
He said:“I have worked in bigger clubs in bigger conurbations but I think the potential here is enormous.
"They have done a successful job to date with a loyal fanbase, and I think there is an opportunity now to go to a new venue and build a bigger business than what is already built today.
"That’s what is now required and now we have to get back into League One and then the Championship which is really where we should be.”
POSTED: 11/05/2008 11:00:00