Gillingham youth graduate Josh Chambers unlikely to sign admits manager Neil Harris

Gillingham manager Neil Harris admits it’s unlikely highly-rated youngster Josh Chambers will be signing for the club.

A professional deal has been on the table for the teenager all summer after being promoted to the senior side last season while still in the youth team.

Chambers came off the bench to make his debut in the Football League for the Gills at Doncaster in March and was a surprise starter at Sunderland the following month.

Despite making those two EFL appearances for the Gills and being highly thought of by Harris, it’s looking likely the midfielder will be playing elsewhere next season.

“I can’t imagine Josh will be at the football club,” Harris said on Saturday.

“We have offered him a great contract, I have personally gone to great lengths to (say I) want him to stay but if players don’t want to play for our football club, then that is their decision.”

Harris is keen to give youngsters a chance and named eight of the club’s second year scholars in the squad at Folkestone on Saturday. Defender Sam Gale and striker Joe Gbode started.

With new goalkeeper Jake Turner not named for the friendly, there was a place in the second half side for former Dover academy goalkeeper Taite Holtam, who has joined the Gills on the youth programme.

Commenting on the youth involvement, Harris said: “It is important that we don’t judge the academy lads too quickly, the fans will have seen bright sparks, they would have seen a couple of players not at their best, some will be thinking, ‘he is good, he could be around the first team.’

“I like some of the players, some of them have potential and it is down to the staff to make them better but this is a great opportunity, while we are light on numbers.

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