Connor Mahoney, Gillingham’s loan winger, wants to stay and assist the club enhance its promotion chances next season.
Mahoney feels there is a foundation for success at the Gills, and following a season on loan from Huddersfield Town, he is open to negotiating a new permanent contract in the summer.
With six goals this season and double-digit goal involvements in both league and cup competitions, it’s a remarkable return from a player in a team that has struggled to find the net this season.
Mahoney joined the Gills in the summer following a disappointing season at Huddersfield, and he has shown signs of being a Championship player. He came to Priestfield wanting to renew his love for the game, and he has done so.
“I’ll discuss it with the manager,” the offensive midfielder added.
“It is up to them, and if they want me back next season, I will gladly accept.
“This season has been about playing for myself and progressing from there. I believe I have a lot more to offer the team in the future, and the gaffer agrees. We will sit down and discuss it.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here, as have the fans, and I’d be delighted to stay.
“I have family up north, but I have previously stated that all I want to do right now is play football. I am enjoying football and have found a place where I am pleased. Why would I want to update this?
“I wanted to play football, feel happy, enjoy myself, score a couple of goals, create a couple of goals, and simply get back to enjoying the game, and I thank the club and the manager for allowing me to do so.”
Mahoney talked following the Gills’ 1-0 loss to Bradford, another game in the books as the season comes to an end. Making the playoffs is now a mathematical possibility.
While acknowledging that the team was “devastated” by another setback, Mahoney sees plenty of positives ahead of a summer in which the club will attempt to bring in new talents to help remedy the goalscoring problem.
He remarked, “If we can work that out in the summer, I believe next season will be really great.
“I’m gutted about this one; the fans spent a lot of money to travel and watch, but we haven’t been up to par, and I apologise to them, but they persevered with us. Hopefully, we can make next season a strong one while finishing this one on a high.
“From where the club has come after the last couple of seasons down at the bottom, to seeing us fighting for play-offs – even if it appears that we have fallen short – I believe the club is taking a massively positive step forward.”
“Despite some poor performances, I believe the supporters can see that the club is improving and that we will eventually reach our goals.
“I believe we have some really good guys here.
“It has been a difficult season, we changed the manager and everything like that, and we haven’t scored enough goals, but I believe there are one or two things we’re missing, but if we can solve it in the summer and sort that’s out, and we’ll be very competitive next season, hoping to get what we want.
