Whilst at work I was bored so started pondering the current Gills players. What got me thinking was whether or not in years time we would actually consider any of them legends? The only standout members of our team were our defence and goalkeeper but would I really remember Matt Fish or Adam Barrett in 20 years time? Just like were there any stand out players when Pulis took us up from Division 4, would any of them be considered legends? I want to know what people think makes a Gillingham legend, is it the shed loads of goals they score, the amount of clean sheets they keep, just the pure energy they bring to the team, is it because they weren't afraid to get their foot in or is it just because they gave 110% every game. I've witnessed messers Hessenthaler, Hope, Ashby, Smith, Jarvis and S. King. I've also witnessed top goalscorers in Darren Byfield, Darius Henderson, Simeon Jackson and Cody McDonald. I've seen top goalkeepers such as Jason Brown, Simon Royce and Stuart Nelson. I've seen players such as Gary Mulligan, Danny Spiller, Danny Kedwell and Charlie Allen who just keep going for the cause. But only the former of those I consider legends, what is the difference from being a fans favourite and being a legend?
For me it can be a combination of things, length of time with the club, some one off special memory, gaining a club record, what they achieve on leaving. Yeo will always be a legend for me because he joined the club during my younger years, scored goals, broke records, stayed for years, Thomo for that one goal.
I know of the legends such as Yeo, Bruce, Cheesmur, Richardson, Big Fat Jim, Bob Taylor, Cascarino, Asaba, Onoura. I just wanted to get what people's opinions were of what made a Gills legend to them. For me its the commitment to give 110% for every performance, to never give up and really play for the shirt. Thats why I consider Simon King a legend, the 2008-09 season was some of the best defending I've ever seen. The same reasons were why I admired Hessenthaler, Smith, Ashby and Hope so much in my earlier days as a fan. The same attitude which to me Danny Kedwell, Chris Whelpdale and Charlie Lee give to the team now. Will they be Gills legends for me in the future, I don't know, but I like to think they could be if they stay for longer and still give 110%.
I suppose for me I seem to struggle with terms such as legends and heroes. Although if I had to pick one and it would be from teenage memories it would have to be Ron Hillyard. To me he is remembered how many young children will remember the players of today. Always that welcoming smile and chatter, as he turned to the fans in the old town end to exchange remarks on the game or a bit of banter. It's about respect and talking of respect and slightly away from the Gills but if you want legends, how many of you remember this in 1970 on the World stage... please log in to view this image Hope you did not mind that touch of nostalgia there GillsPegLeg
Well I would never expected to find Gary Mulligans name in thread about Gills legends, I have only been a Gills fan for 25 years but I think if was listing the players I have seen in a Gills shirt in order of preference he would be somewhere between 150 & 200 on the list (and that's being generous), but this all about opinions and you are more than entitled to yours. Personally I think there were alot of similarities between Allens team last year and Pulis's that won promotion from the same division, no real stand performers but a great team ethic, from Pulis side Jim Stannard is probably the stand out player, but Dennis Bailey, Simon Ratcliffe and Richard Green were my personal favourites and from last season Nelson and Barrett stand out. In my time I would regard Hess as the legend, Super Bobs purple patch was actually short lived but was still amazing and he would my second, after that the likes of Shaw, Asaba, Pennock, Hope, King (Simon and Marlon), Ashby, Butters, Smith (Paul and Neil) Thomson, Onuora, Jackson, Lovell, Crown, Dunne, Lewis (just for his performance at Wembley), Bartram, could all stake a claim, then we go onto personal Favourites Mark Saunders always gave everything and a really nice bloke. John Hodge a real super sub (and for the cross to super bob to beat Fulham), and Tommy Johnson possibly the most gifted footballer ever to where the Gills Shirt but we didn't see enough of him.
I didn't word it very well but I meant the beginning of the post about Hessenthaler, Hope, Ashby etc. Don't worry I don't consider Mullers as a legend.
Jim Stannard is the stuff legends are made of - larger than life - great record - great song and best of all I have a signed glove! Roy
Think Andrew Crofts name needs to be mentioned, Chatham Lad, gave his all for the club, would never of left the club if he wasn't forced out my Stimson. Everybody makes mention of the fact Kedwell is a Gillingham fan but seemed to often be forgotten that Crofts was a local lad himself. Thinking more about the topic at hand I think players who were something out of the ordinary deserve a mention, players like Gazza and Brent Sancho are the types I'm thinking of due to the fact that they don't typically fall into the standard League 1/ League 2 mould of player and gave us something of a cult hero. Finally, players like Dennis Oli, who were so bad that they have to go down in history (this is where I thought Gary Mulligan would be mentioned!) yes they tried hard but good grief were they a waste of space! Don't want to think about how many former Gills players fall into this last category!
And who would be top of that snowpile ? Perhaps we could start a thread entitled " What makes a Gills bellend ? "
Whats the criteria for a ledgend One moment of brilliance Long service Staying at the club a bit longer when obviously able to play at a higher level in other words commited Having a special relationship with the fans or character Consistently good over a period of time Getting stuck in for the club a la the 1979 v Swindon boys Even being part of a valiant defeat like 1999 Wembley Probably none of these things on their own but if you look at all the players considered Gills ledgends they will all fall into two or three of these categories Being part of one of the successful seasons
