With Richard Dobson stepping into Gareth Ainsworth’s boots following the Gillingham boss’s recent operation on a heart issue, the Gills number two has been lauding the League Managers Association for their health checks which found Ainsworth’s problem. 

Speaking to KSN, Dobson said, “One of the things that I have to credit the LMA is these private health checks for managers that they run! We all know that it’s a pressure cooker in management and the toll that it can take physically.  

“They do these checks on a regular basis and it was picked up on one of Gaz’s health checks a couple of months ago, it’s something that needed to be done, with him being able to pick and choose when it could be done; its wasn’t as if they needed him to rush him in straight away, and after speaking with the owners and the rest of the staff, it was decided that now would be the right time to do it. It’s something that needs to happen because they don’t know how it could manifest itself going forward in terms of life.” 

Dobson then explained the procedures. “You go and see them, it’s all very personable! They check everything and you end up with a huge report at the end of it with all areas covered!  

“I was fortunate with mine recently that I came back with a clean bill of health and peace of mind through doing it. But there’s always the “what if” moment in the health check that highlights something and you could be in a world of trouble if you didn’t know!” 

“So, we’re massively thankful to the LMA and I would like to credit the doctor – Dr. Peter Williamson, who did both my test and Gareth’s test! Talk about unsung heroes in life; we always talk about heroes in sport, but he is someone who has done his job and is a master in his field and picked up the issue with Gareth and potentially could have saved a life further down the line!” 

“Massive thank you to Dr. Williamson, he is a great guy, and I really enjoyed his company during my time there, but I really don’t think people like the Doctor get the credit in life and this is my opportunity to say thank you!”   

Dobson was completely relaxed and realistic when it came to filling in for his friend as when asked about Ainsworth’s diagnosis said, “I heard a great saying a few years ago from a psychologist at Brentford who came up with a great quote which encapsulates what football should be in life and the greater scheme of things – he said that “football is the most unimportant of all the unimportant things in life!” And I think that that is a great example of where it should sit in life in terms of our priorities in life.  

“I lost my dad to cancer eighteen years ago and I would swap everything I have ever done in football, the trophies, the promotions, the money I have earned, just to have him sat next to me today. You must understand where football sits.” 

“When Gareth told me, and bearing in mind its a few weeks now, it really was a surprise as Gareth is a fit human being who looks after himself and keeps in good shape. And so, when something like this, hits someone like that, it is a surprise, and it does take you back a little bit as you suddenly realise that we are all human and it could happen at any stage to anyone!  

“But it was pretty matter of fact straight away (between the two of us), we must deal with what we have to do here, and we will support you, and you have to go and get it sorted! The Galinson’s have been incredibly supportive of him and haven’t put any pressure on him, making sure he got it done at the earliest possible time, which was last week!” 

“The good news is that Gareth is recovering well, and we were expecting him released from hospital either Thursday or Friday this week, he was released Wednesday! I’ve spoken to him a couple of times this week and he sounds so much better just in those days and we can’t wait, though we won’t rush him, to have the Gaffer back at Priestfield!”