19 year-old Gillingham winger Elliott List says he has a point to prove after being handed his full debut

by Harry Peet

The 2016/17 season has been a rollercoaster of emotions for all those involved in Gillingham. From the confidence taken from last season continuing into this, to the disappointing run of results that led to the sacking of Justin Edinburgh this month.

One player who has benefitted from the change in management is Elliott List.

The 19 year-old winger was given a professional contract under Edinburgh in 2015, but it was new boss Ady Pennock that gave him his first start in the team against Oldham last week.

List said: “All credit to Justin. I was delighted that he gave me my first contract. He gave me my debut too. He’s a really good coach and no-one wanted him to go but we have Ady now who is good too.”

“I’ve been trying to impress him in training and trying to show him why I think I should start. He gave me a heads up last Thursday and told me that I would be.”

He had made just four appearances this season, all as a substitute, before Pennock came in.

But speaking in his first press conference as Gillingham manager, Pennock expressed his desire to play a system with fast, tricky wingers who could get crosses in.

There was talk of signing a winger, but List fit the criteria for what Pennock wanted and was ready to jump at the chance.

He said: “When I heard him say that I was delighted. I knew I was quick and I knew I could do exactly what he was wanting. So I thought if I can show him that he won’t need to get a new player in.”

Importantly, the teenager has a lot of confidence in himself and his ability, saying:

“Every time I get on the pitch I want to show how good I am. I always have a point to prove no matter if I’m starting every week or coming off the bench.”

Pennock and his staff have clearly been impressed with what they’ve seen from the Gills academy product and have been giving him personal one-to-one training to develop him further.

List: “I’ve been working with Steve (Lovell) doing one-on-ones against mannequins and him. Getting around the left-back and getting crosses in for our strikers to get on the end of.”

The 1-0 defeat to Oldham in his full debut was a real baptism of fire for List, with the Gills being under pressure to beat a team at the bottom of the table.

But List sees Saturday’s match away at top of the table Sheffield United as a chance to go out and express himself:

“We’ll just go out there and give everything we’ve got. I reckon we’ll get something out of that game. I think we might win.”

The new Gills boss has praised List for his attitude and sees him as a real talent in the squad and potentially someone who can give them the spark that the team have been missing.

List now sees this season as a chance to really establish himself in the first team for the rest of the year and improve Gillingham’s fortunes:
“I want to play as many games as I can, start as many as I can. The main thing is that Gillingham get as many points as we can, get as many goals as we can and get as high up the table as we can.”