Your right there Born Again, I remember those old floodlights that appeared to light up the whole of Medway. Also some of us have to admit that we have probably got used to the seating now. Although I would still love to turn the clock back to those younger years any time, maybe that's an age thing. I still look back with fond memories now and sometimes wonder what happened to some of the people I knew on the terraces from those days, times have moved on so quick. If truth was told though, I do not like this country any more and if I ever left it for a warmer climate there would only be just two things I would miss...Gillingham FC and the good old British Ale...sometimes in life the best things are so simple. As for Hereford I will all ways have been there so to speak, because you lot will never stop reminding me
Born in Chatham and for the first years of my life lived about 1/4 mile from the ground on Woodlands Road, so like others, especially of that era, the concept of supporting a team that wasn't the local one just didn't exist. I have to admit I can't remember my first match, but it would have been around 1963. Moved to Manchester in 1973 and since then I've 'supported', i.e. regularly been to matches at, Manchester City and Rochdale, and still go when time and funds allow, but the Gills are in my blood. Literally it seems, as my daughter, born and raised in Rochdale, also supports Gills. And, by the way, she never lost faith in Denis Oli, despite my protestations!
First match was in 1988 v Reading, but I didn't start going regularly until the early 90s. As like many others on this board I'm also another Gills fan in exile, so I only get to 4-5 games a season these days. And to echo Brb's point, the list of things I miss about England isn't very long but it does include Gills and real ale!
Windyrog - my comment about 'absent' Gills fans was tongue in cheek (as I'm sure you know.) I consider ALL Gills fans as equal and appreciate that not all are as fortunate as me in being able to go to virtually all games - I feel humble that I can,although it was a bloody long and miserable time without an away win a couple of years back. I feel sorry for those who are so far away, but it's great to know that they have not forgotten their team.
iv"e only got myself to blame for choosing to support gfc, saw my first game in the early 90"s against blackpool, but watched from the away section, we scored in the first 5 mins & i will never forget throwing my arms up & shouting something,,,,,,,,,,then became aware of the deadly silence & eyes around me,,,i s**t my self, i was a st holder through the pulis/taylor/hessie era & the pleasure i have had watching the barmy army could not explained to a plastic supporter of the top premier teams, we have done the unexpected so many times now, the highs & the lows,,,we are never sure what we will get,,,,but 1 thing for sure is we are like "rocky" we will pick our selves up dust ourselves down & come back into battle again, have been in exile for 4 years now, but cant wait to hear the roar again, i love the gfc more than any woman,,,haha
Best games......there have been a few of those. I remember being 2-0 down at half time home to Plymouth in the FA cup many years ago only for it to be turned on its head with minutes to go. Bad games....quite a few, but selective memory only retains those 'great' games. Where you walk home feeling two stone lighter, and totally invulnerable. Only football at this level can make you feel so close and connected.
