please log in to view this image Despite the ongoing feud and rivalry between both Gillingham and Dover which has stretched as far back as the beginning of last season, prolific striker Adam Birchall has signed for Gillingham from Dover for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal. The Crabble favourite has been causing quite a stir in the non-league and attracted much attention from the football league after scoring a vast amount of goals for the Blue Square South side, 45 to be precise. The most renowned goal of his impressive tally was the wonder-strike he scored from 25 yards against his new club in the F.A Cup first round last season, and the striker will be hoping to be able to replicate such strikes in League 2 next season. Whites Chairman Jim Parmenter previously commented that he would sell Birchall to Gillingham 'over my dead body' and was largely disgusted at the Medway club's first offer which he described as being 'barely enough to afford him a taxi to Gillingham.' The fee was believed to be around 20,000 but the aspect of the offer that insulted Parmenter so much is that Scally had allegedly proposed to pay the sum over two installments. But after both Swindon and AFC Wimbledon both had bids around the 75,000 mark accepted, Gillingham stepped up their offer and matched the required offer Dover were demanding. Despite Birchall stating being impressed by both AFC Wimbledon and Swindon, he found Gillingham's offer too good to turn down as it suited him both professionally and personally as he had to seriously consider what circumstance would best suit his family. With Birchall set to become a Dad and being from Kent, he was reluctant to move away from his home county and risk unsettling his family, this inevitably proved a strong determinant in choosing to play for Gillingham. In an interview after being announced as the Gills' 8th signing of the summer, Birchall spoke fondly of his time at Dover Athletic and also spoke of his delight at the prospect of playing for Gillingham manager and club legend Andy Hessenthaler. Birchall had the chance to meet up with his new team mates at training yesterday and Hessenthaler will assess his new striker before deciding whether to involve him in the pre-season friendly tonight at Ramsgate. Whether or not the signing of Birchall is the final piece of the jigsaw for Hessenthaler's squad is yet to be seen as the Gills manager is set to decide on whether to offer a contract to several trialists whilst also deliberating whether to sign another Goalkeeper or to place faith in youngster Darren Hawkes.
