Gills 2-1 Colchester: Chris Hope

Last updated : 16 September 2005 By Simon Head

Hope: Delighted to be leading the Gills
Hope, who also topped the Gills365 poll on who should be the new captain with 45.5% of the vote, told the official website, "I’m over the moon and really pleased. I’ve got some big boots to fill after taking over from Paul Smith but I’m looking forward to it.

"There’s a good bunch of lads here so it makes it quite easy for me. I know the club inside out and I’m delighted.

"I captained Scunthorpe when I was there for three years and hopefully we can have a successful season under my captaincy.

"It was good before the game. I said a few words and a lot of lads were very vocal in the dressing room and everyone was right up for it.

"To get a win against Colchester was fantastic and it was nice to get off to a good start and I was pleased – we showed good character to come back."

Hopey now leads his side into two away games, starting on Tuesday night against Port Vale, then on Saturday, when he returns to his old stamping ground of Glanford Park, as the Gills take on Scunthorpe.