Tom Eaves, Tomas Holy, Luke Freeman, John Marquis and Mikael Mandron among the ex Gillingham players looking for new clubs

Some big names who have left Gillingham in recent seasons have found themselves jostling with hundreds of others looking for a new club this summer.

From leading scorer Tom Eaves to top goalkeeper Tomas Holy and one-time youth sensation Luke Freeman, the market is awash with players who have made a name for themselves at Gillingham - and some who didn’t make so much of an impact.

Each summer clubs across the country have a clear-out - the Gills got rid of nine players themselves - and it’s seen some familiar figures looking for new challenges. We take a look at some of the old Priestfield players looking for a new club.

Eaves left the Gills in the summer of 2019 after they were unable to match his demands after the striker twice led the scoring charts at the club during his two-year stay, leaving with 38 league goals from 69 starts. He’s spent the last three years with Hull City, winning the League 1 title with the Tigers and scoring 18 goals in 108 appearances.

Giant Czech keeper Holy left the Gills at the same time as Eaves, another of Ady Pennock’s signings that came good. It was a dream move for the 6’9” stopper to play in England and after working his way into the no.1 spot he became hot property. He moved to Ipswich Town in 2019 but has been released after making 57 league appearances for them.

Both Eaves and Holy are now aged 30 but still have plenty of years in them and will no doubt be attracting attention from some top teams in the lower tiers.

Another striker who won’t have a problem getting a move is John Marquis - also aged 30 - after his departure from Lincoln City. He enjoyed a successful loan spell at the Gills during the second half of the 2014/15 season. Former boss Justin Edinburgh wanted him to stay