http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/sports_talk/2379987.stm Hey Potters, Just stumbled across the attached link. I know it was many moons ago, was just intriguing to see the initial reaction (comments section) to Tony's appointment, and look at how things have gone 10 years down the line. From, An extremely excited Gillingham fan
At the risk of irritating one or two on here, it does show how far we've come in the last ten years (spending millions on the way, I'll admit). Do you have any idea what our allocation will be at Priestfield, mate? Interesting to see Scally's comments about Pulis' return being "not an issue" (even though Scally slated Pulis in the press days before the FA Cup final last season). What are your views on our manager? Will he get a good reception? Here's to a good old-fashioned blood and thunder cup game!
To most ( if not all Gills fans, your avatar is most appropriate. Pulis did brilliantly for us - it was his team that almost won promotion for us in 1999 - and most of the players were in the team that achieved it a year later. Pulis couldn't do any more for the Gills at the time due to our perrenial lack of funds ( amongst other matters. ) Pulis will get a great reception on 7 Jan - Crouch will be welcomed in the ' appropriate ' manner as befits his status among Gills fans - but there will be no love lost for the relevant 90 minutes. I think our 'away' end will give you an allocation of about 2500
Unsure about allocation as yet - don't know if you've been to Priestfield before but it isn't as bad as some of the tinpot grounds you'll find at other League 2 venues (although I can't necessarily speak for our temporary away stand) but I imagine you'll be given the entire of the away stand so approx 2500? I can't imagine the reception for Tony Pulis will be anything other than a positive one. I know he left under a black cloud but he should be remembered for what he did with the club in the 4 years he was with us. He laid the foundations for the likes of Peter Taylor and then Andy Hessenthaler (first time around) to build on his team and make them successful. I can't speak for everyone but I'm sure the welcome he receives will be a warm one. Also, a couple of your coaching staff, Mark O'Connor and Adie Pennock are crowd favourites here from the same era. Can't say the same for Mr Crouch however....
Out of interest, what has Crouch done to offend Gills supporters? As far as I'm aware, I don't think he's played for you, so it must be something he's said?
Crouch turned out for Portsmouth one Boxing Day about 10 years ago when he was an unknown. Filled with Christmas spirit one or two Gills supporters yelled "freak" and within a couple of minutes half the home supporters were at it. Crouch had done nothing wrong and it was pretty ill judged humour but most of the crowd were pissed anyway. He really deserved an apology because it was just as hurtful as any racial abuse but he bided his time and made some appropriately insulting remarks about the Gills fans in his autobiography years later. Most independents would interpret the comments as tongue in cheek and many would say they were spot on. Who gets the higher moral ground out of this on matchday will be interesting, almost certainly it will be Crouch because the Gills fans started it and the mood seems to be to misbehave all over again. If he plays Crouch will probably settle it by showing how he went on to score 22 goals for England.
Re Crouch I read the thread last night basically Crouchie thought Gillingham was a ****hole and would never go back. SO WOULD I have said the same thing according to that link I read it all. Some Gills fans called him a "Freak" Well, he ain't that bad played for Spurs/England and his goals per game ratio/ record is better than most? NOT BAD for a freak me thinks.
Seems like Gills fans want revenge for a row they started in the first place, then! To be fair to Gillingham fans, they weren't to know that A) Crouch would go on to have such a successful career, and B) that Crouch would take it so personally. Footballer's get abuse all the time from the terraces, and while calling a (then) young lad a "freak" is harsh, it's hardly the worst thing I've ever heard.
Jose, I have NEVER EVER said that we have NOT come a long way, not just from 10 years ago, BUT 5 years ago - we have come a million miles, the ONLY reason I do make any objection is when that phrase is used as an excuse for still playing dreadful football, even if we do get the results. I guess you all know my thoughts on that and that I an NEVER going to indulge in cheap shots at Pulis in the future. Anyway, Crouchy DOES have a self-depreciating sense of humour re his 'body image' , when he was asked what he would be if he was not a footballer, he replied 'a virgin' Nice one!!
Obviously it must have unsettled him as a young man, it must have so got under his skin, he felt the need to write about it. Personally I don't feel insulted by it, I don't even want revenge, however, if he plays on the day, intimidation it is going to be at a packed Priestfield in an attempt to unsettle him. What will be more frightening then anything dished out to Crouch, will be the scaffolding housing all the Stoke fans which is completely open to the elements. As for Pulis more than welcome and hopefully will receive the just applause.
I appreciate that Nicky, and it wasn't a dig at you at all. Anyway, I'm looking forward to visiting Priestfield again - not been there in a long time (I think the last time I went was the Playoff game in 2000). I wonder if it's changed much?
wasn't it gillingham who beat us in the semi final play off , we were winning then hessenthaler scored an amazing goal and didn't Tiatto play left back in that game and do that fancy forward pass with his right leg around his left leg and didn't the bas***d then go and play for man city , and before the match wasnn't the noise by the fans absolutely deafening. or was that another one ??
It will be loud , Pulis and Co will get a great reception ....after all it is he that brought Hessenthaler (who is a living ledgend here) to Gills in the first place. Rightly or wrongly though if Crouch plays he will reap the whirlwind. Hell hath no fury like a packed Rainham end scorned lol Looking forward to a cracking tie !!
My brother and his brother-in-law absolutely love this draw. My brother's in laws live in Kent and Gillingham is the closest Football League ground to them so he'll be going down, taking his brother-in-law in the Stoke end with him. It was the same brother-in-law who told me and my brother that one of the biggest reasons why Scally hates Pulis is that Pulis had an affair with Scally's wife. You heard similar Gills fans? Onto the game. No offence Gills fans, but I want us to give you a bit of a thrashing, as the Playoff Semi Final defeat still hurts so revenge is on my mind for this tie. I don't think we will thrash you though. It'll be a tight game I reckon. 2-0 either way.
I called the ref a few naughty names v Kiev last Thursday.... it did'nt make any difference though he was still crap. In fairness you would think Crouch would rise above this and it's water under the legs. Sgt NOW I've heard it all mate.. Tony Pulis had an AFFAIR with the Chairmans wife? Hope he kept his cap on then. TAXI !
Binge on.. It was the play of semi yep Was it not Gillingham where the ref sent a Stoke player off? Seem to remember we played them again and same thing happened.. the ref went way OTT and sure, I recall Danny Tiatto doing that. We nicknamed him "The Tasmanian Devil" he was a total nutter that guy would fly into tackles without thinking.
In my view Pulis will get a fantastic reception (as he did when he came with Bristol City). Just hope we get the same result! (unlikely as we won 3-0 thanks to a fantastic hat-trick from SuperBob). With regards to Crouch, I seem recall seeing him play 3 times at Priestfield, for QPR, Portsmouth and Norwich and he only really got the abuse at the first game and he was the best player on the pitch all 3 times. I think it will be a close game but i can only see 1 winner.
I hope Gillingham give it everything, I think if we put in the effort like we did against Aston Villa we have a chance, if Stoke are on one of them bad days we may win, just have to see.
The play off semi 2nd leg you had 2 sent off one was Kavanagh, cant recall the other but he was the left back and was sent off a 2nd booking throwing the ball away!
The play off semi 2nd leg you had 2 sent off one was Kavanagh, cant recall the other but he was the left back and was sent off a 2nd booking throwing the ball away! Thought it was thanks .. and the full back? I think it was Andy Griffin.. In fact I'm sure it was.
