By Jamie Holt
JOHN Marquis admits his career at Millwall is over, but the striker sees a future at Gillingham under incoming boss Justin Edinburgh.
Marquis has been shown the door by Lions manager Ian Holloway and, with his contract up in the summer, he joined the Gills on loan for the rest of the season last week.
But while the striker’s own future is up in the air, so too is Gillingham’s with a League One relegation fight to undertake.
The arrival of boss Edinburgh from Newport County at least adds a bit of long-term security for the Kent club – previously they had been under the rule of four caretakers simultaneously.
Temporary
And while Marquis is full of admiration for the job Andy Hessenthaler, Steve Lovell, Mark Patterson and Darren Hare have done, the 22-year-old says Edinburgh’s appointment could be good news for all parties.
“I’ve got on well with all four of the guys in charge, but obviously it was only a temporary measure,” said Marquis.
“They’ve been good to me and given me a chance. I’ve never experienced it before; having four caretaker managers, but it has worked quite well. Steve, Hess and Darren take the majority of the sessions – Hess is usually in the stands and takes a watching brief for the games, but they work well together.
“I’ve only been here for a short period of time, but for the long term there needs to be a manager in sole charge.
“The chairman (Paul Scally) knows what he’s doing and knows how to run a club better than me. He has the club’s best interests in mind.
“I don’t know much about Justin Edinburgh, but I have played against Newport before a couple of times and know his sides are tough to beat.
“Now the managerial situation is sorted out, we can look to stay in the division, then we’ll look at next season.
“I wouldn’t rule out staying here. I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far, it’s a really good club, and a club that’s moving forward.”
Marquis is used to being farmed out on loan – Gills being his sixth different temporary club in five years – and he actually pitched up at Priestfield on a one-month deal back on January 8.
Impressive
The former Staines Town striker impressed from the off, and three goals in four games prior to yesterday’s clash against Sheffield United has got Marquis’ name back in lights.
“I was happy to stay, I just want to be playing and do as well as I can while I’m here, it was an easy decision,” added Marquis, who made just 20 league starts for Millwall in five-and-a-half years.
“Ian Holloway and I briefly had a chat, and we agreed that I need to be playing football. I would say my time at Millwall is over, I’ve not been given a chance there, I’ve not made many appearances and I need a regular run of games to prove myself.
“I would have liked to progress at Millwall, but it seems like it’s a good time for me to make a move with my contract up in the summer.
“I’ve started OK here at Gills, results have been good and I’ve chipped in with a few goals which is always a bonus.
“Everyone is fighting for positions and there are plenty of others waiting to come in. I’m in the shop window, but I feel like when I get a good run, I can score goals.”
