Gary Rowett makes admission after Millwall transfer call

Millwall boss Gary Rowett has told the South London Press that the club couldn’t stand in the way of Ben Thompson wanting to leave in the January window.

The central midfielder – who is a boyhood Millwall fan – completed a move to Gillingham on a free transfer last month after he agreed to terminate his contract with the Lions.

Thompson was largely out of favour under Rowett at the Den and was seemingly keen to move to a club where he would guaranteed more in the way of regular minutes.

Speaking recently about the player’s decision to move elsewhere, Rowett was quick to state the following:

“He wants to play football. He wanted to do that and I didn’t think it was fair for us to stand in his way.

“I had the same conversation in the summer with him and they weren’t able to find the right club at that point.

“This time, there was an opportunity with Neil going into Gillingham and we wish him all the best.”

Thompson racked up 175 appearances for the Lions during his time with the club and will now be looking to make a lasting impact at Gillingham under the guidance of former Millwall boss Neil Harris.

The midfielder has signed a contract at Priestfield until the end of the season.

The Verdict 

This was a move that was always on the cards as Thompson was slowly frozen out of the first team at the Den.

It was best for everyone involved that he moved on and now he has the opportunity to play regualr football under a manager that he knows really well.

A good spell with the Gills could lead to the player earning a move to a club that are better placed in the Football League, so he will be looking to take his opportunity with both hands.

Millwall could well live to regret this decision if he kicks on.

Source