Article: Vince Bartram Interview | Gillingham FC, Football

Do you keep in contact with any of the old players?
Yes a few of the boys. Ade Pennock the most. Speak fairly regularly with him. Spoken to Patto once or twice, usually about golf, and seen Hessy and Trigger at a few games. Also Facebook helps keep you in touch with a couple of old mates too.

2. Who did you most enjoy playing with the most?

Could not pick out individuals. Enjoyed all my time at the Gills. Great lads and all mucked in together.

3. Best game you played in Gillingham.

Obviously the Wembley Games, but lots of good memories. 5-0 at Burnley, the 3-0 against Bristol City where Bob Taylor scored one of the best hat tricks you could see, but I’d played well in the first half to keep us in the game! For atmosphere and occasion, you have to go a long way to beat the atmosphere the night we beat Preston at Priestfield to get to Wembley the first time.

4. Highest point of your Gillingham days.

Pretty much most of it, Wembley appearances, promotion, playing in the championship. Victories at places like Blackburn and Wolves, play-off wins against Preston and Stoke. For the ultimate feeling though you can’t beat that day beating Wigan to get promoted and the 24 hours of celebrations after that game!

5. Lowest point of your Gillingham days.

Losing my place to James Brown probably the worst thing. I felt at the time that he got in for reasons off the pitch as much as on it, but he took his chance and went on from there. Then getting injured and having to retire, though I did have a feeling that might have been my last season anyway.

6. What is the best thing about coaching?

Still being involved in football, still being around that day-to-day buzz and the banter of the dressing room, or now rather the coaches room. Passing on advice and seeing the keepers improving through the work that you do with them.

7. Who were your understudies at Gillingham and did you keep each other motivated?

I took over from Big Jim and at first he was my understudy/ gk coach. He used to work me and he battered me, at times I used to think it was his way of trying to get back in! Then had a series of understudies, Frank Talia, Steve Mautone, Anthony Williams, Charlie Mitten and Jason Brown. As keepers and members of the “Union” you usually get on with each other though whether it is motivation I am not sure. I don’t hold the theory that two equal Gk’s competing is good. I played my best football I felt when I was number 1 and knew I was playing. My own professional pride was enough. Having someone on the bench ready to take your place wasn’t a factor to me.

8. When you first started playing, what hopes of the highest levels you could reach would be.

Not sure I had any. Until 13, I played outfield, when selected, which wasn’t very often. At 13 I switched to goal and by the age of 17 was at Wolves. It just took off from there really. I had a bit of luck getting spotted even if it was at a club at their lowest at the time, but was with them then as they rose back up the leagues.

9. Do you keep an eye on the Gillingham results, if so how do you think they are doing?

I keep an eye out on all my old clubs. I know little bits of what’s going on but don’t keep right up to date with things. I said at the start of the season that they are too big a club now for league 2 and if they got off to a good start then they could run away with it and to a point that has happened. They are now back at the point that I joined the club at so now they need to push on again.

10. What advice would you give to any youngster, just starting out in a career of football?

Work hard and give it your best at all times. Want to be a footballer. You get the feeling many of them want to be on twitter and Facebook etc. telling everyone that they’re a footballer without understanding what it takes to be a modern day player. Times have changed even since I finished playing and the demands are so much greater, however the rewards are much bigger and worth the dedication. Also, don’t think you’re a footballer till you’ve played at least 100 league games! Until then you’re only practising.

11. How would you like to be remembered by the gills fans, for your time at the club?

Don’t know, not too worried what people think really, it’s a bit too late to worry about it now. Maybe just as someone that did their best and was part of the most successful period in the clubs history.

12. Did it give you a lift when you were in goal at the rainham end?

As a goalkeeper, you are the closest player to the fans and when at home you feel and hear most of the noise and comments coming from the “Home” end. When things are going well, you can feed off that. On the other hand, when things aren’t so good you also feel the tension and anxiety. It’s important to have a link and connection but to remain detached from it. As I said before with regard to the Preston game, even if the ground only held 10-11,000, the fans there could generate a fantastic atmosphere and really get behind the team and at times help pull us through difficult games.

13. What memorabilia do you still have from the Gillingham days?

Not too much really. Shirts from Wembley, team pictures/posters and lots of good memories!

14. How far would you like to take your coaching role?

I’ll take it like my playing career, game by game and day by day. I would like to coach at first team level again one day (had a brief spell at Bournemouth and been involved with the first team at saints for a couple of brief spells). For the moment, I’m getting invaluable experience with one of the best academies in the country. I’m involved with the goalkeepers from the development squad (Under 21’s) right down to the under 7’s and managing a team of Gk coaches. I don’t set goals or timescales, just wait for the right time of opportunity!

What a great interview,with my favorite keeper,from the gills past.

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