Marcus Maddison sale can help Gateshead thrive - Gary Mills
Last updated on .From the section Gateshead
Gateshead manager Gary Mills says selling forward Marcus Maddison for a club-record fee will benefit his remaining squad.
Ex-Newcastle United man Maddison, 20, who joined Peterborough United on a four-year deal, scored four goals in five Conference matches this season.
"He was a good player but could be selfish at times," said Mills.
"When an individual leaves a football club it can make you stronger. I will make sure we are stronger for it."
Talking to BBC Newcastle, Mills continued: "Sometimes Marcus was a little bit of an individual, that is probably what made him a good player.
| Maddison's start to the 2014-15 season |
|---|
| 9 Aug: Scores twice in 3-1 opening-day win over Torquay |
| 12 Aug: Picks up a yellow card and scores Gateshead's second goal at Wrexham |
| 23 Aug: Gateshead are thrashed 6-1 by Grimsby, with Maddison scoring their only goal |
"He is the only player I've had in 20 years of management that every time he gets the ball I think he will score a goal. That is a bit special.
"I don't think I have anybody else here like that, and that is not being disrespectful. We have a good squad of players and have got players who are more than capable of doing a good job for me."
Maddison netted nine times and picked up eight bookings and two red cards in 32 appearances for Gateshead in England's fifth-tier competition last season.
He featured for Gateshead in their Conference play-off loss to Cambridge United at Wembley in May, with Mills tipping Maddison to have a big future.
The Gateshead bosses pressing concern now is to fill the void up front.
"He has done well for us, but he is now not a Gateshead player so I've got to concentrate on who is here play for this football club now," said Mills.
"My job now is to replace Marcus and replace him with someone with quality. We have the money now to do that with the money we got for Marcus."
