By Jack Nolan
June 12 2008
Gillingham striker Gary Mulligan has put pen-to-paper in signing a new deal to keep him at Priestfield for another season at least. The hard-working forward recently stated he wanted to leave Priestfield to stay in League One, but has now had a change of heart and is to stay and help The Gills' bid for an immediate return to League One.
It was only a month ago when just days after The Gills' relegation to League Two, Mulligan stated that he wanted to depart Priestfield in favor of a move to League One, but has now made a u-turn in agreeing an extra year in Kent.
Speaking to KentNews early last month, Gillingham manager Mark Stimson said:“Gary has been very honest with me and said he wants to stay in League One. We had an option on his contract which we have taken out to keep him here for another year, so if he gets offers from League One sides they will have to talk to me."
Mulligan joined the club initially from Sheffield UTD on loan and made his move permanent after impressing during his short spell with The Gills, becoming a fan's favourite at Priestfield for his high work ethic.
But goals were sparse for the young forward, who was dropped by Stimson for not giving enough off of the pitch, but forced his way back into the side at the end of the season and impressed.
Dublin born Mulligan netted just five goals this season in thirty-four appearances, most coming from the bench. From eighty-nine games, Mulligan has netted fifteen goals for The Gills.
Meanwhile Gillingham manager Mark Stimson has denied The Gills have made any approach for Southend UTD striker Charlie MacDonald. The Shrimpers accepted a bid from an unamed League Two club but Stimson denied that it was Gillingham chasing the former Ebbsfleet UTD frontman. MacDonald was one of The Gills' transfer targets last summer, but turned down a move to Gillingham in favor of a move to Southend.