Sam Gale enjoyed 2025 – a year where he became a regular in the Gillingham defence and signed a new long-term contract at the club

Gillingham defender Sam Gale is hoping to push on to another level after a year to remember.

The 21-year-old central defender played in all but four league games during the calendar year of 2025 after quickly establishing himself as a key player at the club.

Gale’s impressive form earned him a long-term contract at the club and he admits the year couldn’t have gone much better for himself.

He said: “I'm really grateful for the managers who have shown faith in me and obviously the gaffer (Gareth Ainsworth) most recently with this prolonged spell.

“He's been really good for me, the boys have been really good for me. I'm learning with every game. I feel like I'm getting better with every game. I've been really grateful for these 12 months.

“I finished 2024 with my first start against Wimbledon, and 2025 has been great. I've pretty much been involved in every game, barring a few maybe, once when I was suspended.

“I've played a big part in the team, I feel like that part's growing. I'm getting better, I'm getting more mature. I'm trying to help the lads more in terms of being vocal, which has just come with experience.

“I don't think the year could have gone any better, maybe slightly more positive in terms of our league standing, but we've done alright, and it's so tight, and we can attack 2026 and hopefully get up the table.”

Gale was recalled to the Gills from his loan at Chelmsford in December 2024. He ended the year with his first start for the club, thrust into face AFC Wimbledon on December 30 that year.

A few weeks later he started the match against Grimsby Town and remained an ever-present during John Coleman’s stint as manager, agreeing a deal keeping him at the Gills until 2027 last February, and then in November