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The Coventry-born defender having initially moved to the Priestfield Stadium on a one-month loan spell in late July, that last week being extended to a second month only for the deal to be made permanent ahead of the closing of the August transfer window. Gowling having impressed at Gillingham and started all six games the Gills have played to date.
Josh had only made five starts and one substitute appearance since being signed by former Blues boss John Ward on a two-year Bosman deal in July 2008. Gowling having been on loan at Hereford United last season, where he made 13 starts in a productive three-month spell at Edgar Street. The centre-half or right-back clearly never in the plans of Greg Abbott once the new United manager had taken the Brunton Park hotseat.
Gowling put pen to paper on his two-year contract at Gillingham this afternoon although there is no mention of whether or not a fee has been involved in the move so far. Gills boss Mark Stimson is pleased to have signed the 25-year old centre-half though, Stimson commenting to his club's official website after they lost 3-1 at home to Blackburn in the Carling Cup last night :
"I thought tonight Josh showed what he can be which is a very good right centre-half. He played well and I was impressed with him. You bring players to the club to play to their strengths and play in their positions but sometimes, like Josh, they have to move across and do the best they can.
"That's happened to Josh but he has come in and done his best in that role and it's hard to criticise him. Tonight he played on the right side and he looked natural, he looked totally different. It's only a case of moving ten yards across but that can make all the difference."
First Team Transfers 2009-10 : Click here