By David Pritchard
GILLINGHAM goalkeeper Alan Julian is hoping to impress in pre-season as he sets his sights on taking the number one jersey away from Simon Royce.
The 25-year-old, who is Gills’ only summer signing to date, arrived at Priestfield after building a good reputation after three years in the Conference at Stevenage Borough.
Royce, 11 years his senior, was the Gills’ best performer last season and signed a deal in May to stay at the club for next season.
While Julian admits he may have to bide his time before becoming first choice, he didn’t move to become a permanent deputy.
He said: “I will give it my best shot to being number one, any footballer will tell you they want to play, but I have got a lot of respect for Roycey. I’m looking forward to meeting him and learning from him. He’s played at a very high level in the game and he’s done very well.
“Hopefully I can push on and push him for the number one spot. I’m going to go out in pre-season and show the manager what I can do, get the best out of myself and hopefully start.”
Gills boss Mark Stimson intends to give his whole squad at least 45 minutes in the early pre-season games, so Julian will make his debut next month. With Royce still recovering from the ankle injury which kept him out for the final month of the season, the former Stevenage stopper may get more of a chance to establish himself before the start of the season.
If Julian can become first choice it would mark a return to league football after three seasons in the Conference. The goalkeeper began his career at Brentford, but made only 19 appearances in five years.
He said: “I have always wanted to get back in the league. I had a taste of it with Brentford, I didn’t play many games so I wanted to have a second crack at it and prove I am good enough to be in the league.
“I felt I had done okay in the Conference and I was ready to test myself at a higher level so I wanted to give myself the opportunity. Fortunately it came up here and I’m looking forward to it.”
Julian is the fifth player to sign from Stevenage since Stimson swapped Broadhall Way for Priestfield last November. There were other suitors once he was released from his contract in May, but Gills were always going to be favourites.
Julian said: “There were a few other clubs but I had the chance to work with Mark again. I enjoyed my time at Stevenage we did really well with him, he helped my game a lot and made me believe in myself so when I heard he was interested there was only one club I was going to come to.”
Gills begin their pre-season schedule against Stevenage on July 15.
POSTED: 28/06/2008 09:45:00
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