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Matthew Gill - who are ya?

Last updated : 26 May 2004 By Richard Brown

Name: Matthew Gill
Date of Birth: November 8, 1980
Height: 5"11

Position: Right wing-back or midfield (right or central)
Previous Clubs: Peterborough United

So household names have not exactly, in fact hardly at all, been commonplace around Meadow Lane as of late and the coup of Peterborough's Matthew Gill hardly lays to rest that clique. But regardless, whether it be a big-name, big-money signing or the arrival of an unknown, unrecognised youngster arriving through the back door on a bosman, a new player amidst the ranks is always cause for much animation, each bringing with them a air of an optimism, the possibility of a new messiah or just another reason for the club shop to sell his match-worn shirt on for 50 smackers.

Gill's signing, like many - if not all - of those made by Mills in his five month tenure as club manager, was hardly of earth shattering magnitude to many people other than those loyal few supporters of the respective clubs, it still marks a small step in the club's attempts at a revival. After all, not so long, the club had a well documented transfer embargo hanging heavy on their shoulders.

The 23-year old, who completed his move from Peterborough United last week, comes with bagfuls of experience, flattering of a talent his age. But despite having started no less than 29 games this season in league and cup action, the first team experience on offer to him under Barry Fry was, quite obviously, surplus to Gill's own expectations.

But, after coming through the system at 'Boro to making his bow, heading straight into the starting XI in a 3-1 defeat at Torquay back in the 1997/1998 campaign, even with 127 further appearances under his belt, to leaving, one element of the character of Gill that never once was in question was loyalty - something which, as we know all too well, you seldom buy nowadays and is never evident until a hurdle is reached.

Under Fry's guidance, Gill established himself as a regular in the side, whether it be in a role on the right of defence, midfield or in the middle of the park, even despite the matter of consistency proving the con to the well-rounded Gill's pros. But if you could assume that commitment is all Gill has in his locker, then the sense of loss he leaves in his wake.