Gillingham supporters’ club member David Garth on the sacking of manager Neil Harris and reaction on social media

Gillingham’s decision to sack manager Neil Harris today came as a surprise to many.

The club ended Harris’ tenure while they sat eighth in League 2, four points off the top, but results had dipped of late and some fans had been unhappy about performances even when they were winning.

Ironically, the attacking play had actually improved of late, but the Gills just couldn’t score.

David Garth, from the Gillingham Supporters’ Club, spoke to the KM about today’s announcement.

He said ”Initially I was very surprised and I don’t seem to be the only person that is surprised, judging by a number of comments already on social media.

“I think that there is an element that the fact that social media does have a lot of pressure these days and maybe that has been taken into account.

“I think the fans have been divided all season on Neil. When it’s been good they’ve been happy at the Rainham End to join in (with the celebrations) and then when it’s not been good all of a sudden there are comments, in that way I can understand why the decision has been made.

“On a personal note, I think Neil has conducted himself very well, I think he has been trying to build something around the playing side, not just about the first team, with the under-21/B side.

“I think that longer term that’s going to do the club a lot of good, but at the end of the day, the bottom line is the performances and results on the pitch, and in the last few weeks it has dropped off quite considerably, that has got to have an impact on fans’ reaction, the next impact could be that attendances decline and we all know that has to be paramount to the success of the club.”

Commenting on the football being played, Garth said: “Curiously the last couple of home games I think