Gillingham Vs Wrexham

Matchday 44 was eagerly anticipated as we aimed to check another stadium off our 92-list, drawn by its location and the adventure it promised. Once again, Grandad Steve (Liam’s Grandad) joined us for the journey. We had arranged for him to drive his car, but we decided to split the driving duties, considering the potential four-hour journey each way.

The day commenced with a 30-minute drive to Steve’s home, where we had left our caravan for the weekend. After swapping cars, we hit the road. Initially, our GPS estimated a travel time of 3 hours and 20 minutes. Traffic was favourable until Liam needed an unscheduled pit stop at the M40 services in Oxford due to nature’s call. After a brief 30-minute break and a coffee, we resumed our journey. Our next stop was a housing estate just a short 15-minute walk from the stadium, a tip provided by a fellow fan on social media (Thank you, Ryan). Arriving at 12:15, well before kick-off, we explored the surroundings briefly before heading to the stadium at 12:40. A quick visit to the club shop for scarves and programs, followed by a stroll around the stadium, led us to a decision to watch Hull City Vs West Bromwich Albion at a stadium pub named “Factory,” as Steve is an Albion fan. Despite the pricey pints at £6 for a pint of IPA, the ambiance was enjoyable. However, one fan’s request for personal space in the crowded pub was a bit odd. Nonetheless, we moved to a different spot to maintain peace. Post-match, armed with souvenir cups from the pub, we made our way to the stadium.

Navigating inside the stadium proved challenging as the map was unclear. With the help of a steward, we found our entrance, but unlabelled rows led us to seek assistance once more to locate our seats.

With about 20 minutes before kick-off, we settled into our seats amidst a buzzing atmosphere from both home and away fans. Despite a valiant effort from Wrexham, Gillingham secured a narrow 1-0 victory. We left in the 87th minute to use the toilet before heading to the car.

Our timely departure paid off, as we encountered no traffic, and despite minor delays on the M25, we reached Steve’s place at 20:11, and our caravan by 20:40.

It was a fantastic day out, with Matchday 45 promising a closer journey with a trip to Port Vale next.

Facts about Gillingham FC:

1. Establishment: Gillingham Football Club was founded in 1893, making it one of the oldest professional football clubs in England.
2. Home Ground: The club plays its home games at Priestfield Stadium, situated in Gillingham, Kent. Priestfield has been the club’s home since its inception in 1893.
3. Nickname: Gillingham FC is commonly known as “the Gills” by its supporters, a moniker derived from the club’s name.
4. League History: Over its history, Gillingham FC has experienced promotions and relegations across various divisions of the English Football League (EFL).
5. Achievements: Gillingham FC’s trophy cabinet includes the Football League Fourth Division title, which they won in the 1963-1964 season. Additionally, the club has had success in lower-league competitions, including the Football League Trophy.