According to a pre-match interview with the Gillingham manager, Martin Allen, apparently Gills will be playing a team whom he calls Mini Barcelona. Well the Gills could do with some Messi like goals to get their first win of the season - or was Allen offering excuses ahead of another failure. We would certainly need to change our style of play and actually put the ball on the ground and start passing if we were to be any match for the Spanish giants! The day started ominously. When I arrived at the coach pick up there were only 6 other fans! I suspected that our results were causing some to doubt the sense in trekking all over the country in search of a victory. I got more of a shock when Roger, the regular coach driver turned up in a 7 seater people carrier. However his coach was to be 'delivered' to him to avoid Roger going over his alloted driving hours for the day. Whilst we waited for the coach Roger told us of his relief to perform his duty for our benefit - he had spent some time driving across eastern Europe - where he was continually 'removing' would be stowaways from under the coach - trying to illegally enter England - Let them come in - force them to watch a couple of Gills matches - they'll soon want to go home. When the coach arrived there were only about 30 fans who boarded. These were eventually joined by around 200 for the game itself. So it was 'all' aboard the camel train to Crewe - whose nickname is the Railwaymen. This fact reminded me that when my two sons were small they would spend much time playing with their train sets and watching videos of Thomas the Tank Engine. I remembered one episode that I sent to Martin Allen as I knew it would be inspiritional to the team. Give it a watch - under 2 minutes ( and you'll love it ). http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...=c-UHL8ulJ9o3nDD0laMCIA&bvm=bv.53217764,d.bGE Actually THIS camel went without the rear engine (brb) as he said something about having to obey the wishes of his (not so) Fat Controller indoors. Have you tried to control your track using the obvious train accessory - a Cow Catcher? ( sorry Mrs. brb - only joking. ) So it was left to THIS camel to pull the Gillingham Express on his own. I did wonder if I would arrive at my destination before the Station Master (Martin Allen) & his crew (pun intended). THIS happened on our last journey - to Coventry - or was it Northampton ? Perhaps the team bus lost its sense of direction as easily as the side losing any idea as to where the opposition goal is located. Gillingham's very own Fat Controller, chairman Paul Scally obviously has some empathy with Network Rail. He too doesn't like criticism of the team's poor service. Somehow he believes it unfair of the commuters waiting at the platform, to complain when the train doesn't show up - how dare we let off steam ! Can we be permitted to make a station announcement that, prior to today, the last time the Gillingham train arrived on time was 14 stations ago - and THAT was running to last season's timetable - as was the last away win (February). So it was off to Crewe, whose manager, is to be commended for his recent honest assessment of the performance of his team following a 0-3 loss to Walsall. He said that they showed no fight, lacked character, and showed no emotion. What do you reckon to that Mr.Scally? Is it more of the 'Utter Garbage' of which you accused the Gillingham fans after our 'Fantastic 100% effort' in our defeat against Coventry. As I said, Crewe are known as the Railwaymen - Well can I just say that I am no anorak wearing trainspotter ! I have no desire to collect defeats like they were train numbers ( & what do trainspotters do with that information ? ) - So services need to improve rapidly - otherwise many more fans will find some other sidings to attend on Saturday afternoons - and any attempt to woo travellers back to our terminus with cheap tickets will not succeed if people know that their journey will not have a happy ending. I'm surprised that my travelling companion has missed this particular journey - it would have appealed to him as Crewe are renowned for using younger rolling stock - but didn't Alan Hansen say that you won't win anything with kids ? - just before Man Utd, with youth, went on to win the title that year. The Crewe tourist board brochure listed 17 things to do in the town. These included visiting a cafe and a butcher's shop ! - I think I'd rather have thrown myself off the edge of the platform. Alighting the coach I met up with some of the GNE (Gills Northern Elite), namely ITSGRIMUPNORTH ( you need to change your username ) and his daughter, Drakey_X. She is a charming young lady whose beauty is as timeless as her AGE ! (private joke). As her 'grandad' (cheek) I'm allowed to make this statement - Don't worry Tim - I'm no *****phile. We spent time refuelling our engines and stoking up our boilers before making our way to Gresty Road, where the Gillingham carriages were shunted into a siding called the Ice Cream Van stand ! There we waited for the 3pm service to arrive....... and what a pleasant surprise to see it arrive on time ! Well, if you wait long enough a win will arrive - and that's what happened today. The team finally built up a head of steam and delivered a glimmer of hope that we may not be derailed into League 2. The Camel train was happy to make its' way back to its' shed in Gillingham with a warm feeling that only 3 points can provide. It is hoped that this can be the start of more pleasant journies ahead. Could this win be like waiting for a bus - when one finally arrives, it is followed very quickly by 6 more ! Martin Allen removed a couple of diesel engines ( Legge & Akinfenwa ) and replaced them with youth ! Kedwell & Davies. The Gills quickly built up a head of steam and were soon in control of the match. The side passed the ball well and it was a welcome change to see several reasonable attempts on goal before we deservedly took the lead 5 minutes before half time. McDonald finally got a decent through ball which he latched on to and put away. The Gills doubled their lead 5 minutes into the 2nd half. Charlie Lee - easily man of the match, went on one of several storming runs and was chopped down just outside the penalty area - or should I say Messi territory ? Another rare event was to follow - a beautifully worked routine allowed Martin to score a contender for 'away' goal of the season - and a goal of which even Messi would be proud. The Gills continued to control the game and it did not flatter them that a 3rd goal - to seal all 3 points arrived soon after. They then set about protecting a clean sheet - with comparative ease. In truth Crewe were poor, and I felt that BSG's prediction of 5-0 was easily achievable. So the Gills managed not to suffer another derailment leading to a points failure - but I'm still a little surprised that the Leyton Orient express is so successful - and on probably a lot less fuel. Maybe, after this win we can start to enjoy the ride a little. The Station Master has spoken a lot about new rolling stock. We still could do with a train with a new mid-engine. One that is more dynamic and capable of moving at at greater speed. As for Crewe - I fear that their L1 train is nearing the end of the line. And for the Gillingham Express - well its' passengers returned to Kent very happy and more than content with 'minding the 7 place gap' between them and Sheffield Utd who replaced them at the bottom of the table. Of course this was only one successful journey. There are many more stations on the route. The Gills fans have been given too much 3rd Class fayre and many have already pulled their own communication cord, and have chosen not to to buy a ticket to ride. The Gills need to keep running on time - otherwise they will soon realise that everyone is travelling on a ghost train. Choo Choo for now.
Very good insight in to the day...although I don't think I'll be letting Mrs brb read this...lol...actually...she'd probably laugh. Certainly missed seeing the day but family commitments have to be done to keep things sweet. Although whether MA will let me in the ground again is to be seen!
I have wondered from time to time how many people have understood the pun on my username - it was chosen precisely for that purpose. If you haven't heard the original and can spare nearly 9 minutes of your life listen [video=youtube;Q6eo3bnYmwA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Q6eo3bnYmwA[/video] and consider yourself educated.
Great sound effects - certainly in keeping with the railway theme of the thrread.... and no wonder why it's so grim up north ! Did anyone else think that Thomas uttered the F word in the video ? around 1 min 24/25 seconds !
Haha great account of the day, and that has to be some kind of world record for most train puns in one forum article. Platform 1 for the late running Gills-victory service, calling at Crewe Alexandra only. We apologise for the late-running of this service, it is due to staff (quality) shortages in the middle of the park.
