" ......used to watch Gillingham play with my dad and brother as a child in the late 70s/early 80s and remember the thrill of having my name read out on my birthday and hearing them play my favourite song – Don’t Stand So Close To Me by the Police. There was a sense that children were begrudgingly tolerated in this adult world – the language was salty, the food was saltier still and there were no separate family areas to speak of, but it was great fun if a bit edgy (even though to avoid the “crowds” we always left the ground five minutes before the end of the game and heard the seemingly inevitable roar from outside the stadium when the Gills scored).... Gillingham Priestfield stadium; ticket office 01634 300000; adult matchday tickets from £16, children from £6; adult season tickets from £295, under-12s from £35; gillinghamfootballclub.com Respondents were impressed that all of the players seemed very happy to sign autographs and have their photos taken and by the overall family friendly vibe. The club-recommended car park was very easy to get to and well explained on their website and cost just £3. However, it was notable that none of the survey participants mentioned the food, so perhaps bring a packed lunch … The club was also commended by the judges for their Family Fun Days and Kids for a Quid promotions and there are plans to launch a Junior Gills club too. Last season, the mighty Gills – astonishingly, Kent’s only Football League team – slipped to a disappointing ninth in the division. They’ll be looking to do better this campaign, especially after disappointing pre-season losses to Barnet and Leyton Orient........" www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/aug/19/ten-of-the-best-non-premier-league-family-friendly-football-clubs
They were the best days in football, for reasons I've voiced many a time. Sadly generations much younger than me only ever hear about the bad days in football, I think some people are genuinely interested in the stories I have to tell, which are quite contrary to what they have learned from media outlets. I've been in the thick of the occasions when things kicked off, Millwall, Swindon, one notable occasion away at the latter, and the larger gates of Brighton (Mullery?), Palace (Big Mal), Pompey (not sure was it Ian St John then) - someone correct me if I got the managers wrong, so long ago, but defo remember Big Mal. Would I go back to them times if I was young again, you bet I would, I feel sad that today's generations will never get a taste of the finer side of football without all of today's glamour of a different sort ie no money!
brb I'm not so sure that I'd want to return to the sort of toilets that we used to have ( a glorified hole in the ground )...... but, basically I am 'with you.' Talking about money - the price of tickets was mentioned on the journey up to Humberside on Saturday....... Back in the 60's, ( when you was a boy ), you could get into Priestfield for 6d ( that's two and a half pence..... soon to be one Euro, the way the £ is falling ! ). At the same time you could get a bag of chips for 6d -- you must remember - that was your dinner ( only joking - I'm trying to cheer myself up after Saturday - and as I gear myself up for a week of humiliation from my friends ). ........... anyway - getting back to that bag of chips - why is the price of getting into Priestfield these days a matter of no 'small potatoes? ' You can make similar comparison with the price of a pint in the 'good old days.' edit -- I should have said one Cent not Euro
