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| Contents | |
| What's
Priestfield Stadium Like? Future Developments Looking Towards The Rainham End (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Medway Stand (photo) Where To Drink? Rainham End And Gordon Road Stand (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park Looking Towards The Brian Moore Stand (photo) By Train By Official Coach A Closer Look At The Brian Moore Stand Local Rivals Admission Prices Programme Disabled Facilities Ground Layout Fixtures 2012-2013 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Priestfield Stadium Location Map |
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| What's Priestfield Stadium Like? | |
| Priestfield
Stadium has been virtually re-built since the current Chairman
Paul Scally took over in 1995. On one side of the
ground is the impressive looking Medway Stand. Opened
in 2000, it is two-tiered, with a large lower tier and
a small upper tier. In-between these tiers are a row
of executive boxes, which also have seating outside.
Opposite is the Gordon Road Stand. Opened in 1997,
this is a much smaller single tiered stand, which is
partly covered (to the rear). It contains a number of
supporting pillars running across the back of it, plus
it also has an unusual looking TV gantry perched on
its roof. The Rainham End was opened in 1999. It is a
single tier cantilevered stand, which replaced a
former terrace. Opposite is the Brian Moore Stand.
This is in fact a temporary seated stand that has been
situated on top of an existing terrace. When I say
temporary (considering that it has been there since
2003) I mean that the stand can be easily dismantled
and re-assembled. This is the only open area at the
stadium. This stand is named in memory of the
legendary commentator and lifelong Gills fan, Brian
Moore. |
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| Future Developments | |
| The Club have re-announced their desire to move to a new stadium. Land near to the Club's Beeching's Cross training ground has been suggested by the Club as a possible new stadium site. The scheme which is being referred to as the Medway Village is dependant on obtaining a retail partner to provide finance into the scheme, plus getting the agreement of Medway Council. It is still very much at the feasibility stage. If the Club were to move then Priestfield would be re-developed for housing. | |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Away fans are housed in the Brian Moore Stand where around 3,400 supporters can be accommodated. Like last season the stand is of the temporary variety i.e. the type that you would see around the 18th hole at the British Open Golf Championship, although it is of a good size and height (you can get some great views of the surrounding area at the very top of it), plus the views of the playing action are fine. Unlike most temporary stands though the facilities are surprisingly good, being of a permanent nature behind the structure. However it is uncovered, so although the Club hand out free rain macs if it rains, still be prepared to get wet! The absence of a roof also dampens the atmosphere somewhat, although fans do try to make some noise by stamping on the metal rows of the stand. One unusual aspect of visiting Priestfield Stadium is that away supporters have to walk down a very narrow terraced street to reach the away entrance, or if coming from adjacent streets down very tight alley ways. However, there is never normally any problems with this although after the game the Police sometimes close of some of the surrounding streets to keep fans apart. | |
| Medway Stand | |
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| Where To Drink? | |
| The
ground is walkable from the town centre, where there
are a fair few pubs to be found. Paul Kelly a visiting
Preston fan adds; 'we have used the 'Will Adams' in
the town centre. The pub is in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and does good cheap food. Plus
a very friendly crowd of football locals happy to
indulge in friendly banter - the landlord is a Gill
fan too!' Robert Donaldson recommends the 'Southern
Belle' opposite the railway station, which also has a
cafe located next door. Michelle Dixon, the landlady of the 'Livingstone Arms' on Gillingham Road informs me; 'Our pub is known as an "Away Supporters" pub and is situated approximately 100 yards from the away turnstiles. The atmosphere within the pub is both warm and friendly'. This pub which also has a beer garden, is popular with both away and home supporters and as you would expect it gets rather busy on matchdays. There is a handy fish & chip shop, situated across the road from the pub. If you bear left at the Livingstone Arms into Livingstone Road, then down on the left is the Royal British Legion Club which allows in away fans. There is an entrance fee of £1, but the facilities inside are good with Sky Sports being shown, food is available (Hot Dogs, Burgers & Filled Rolls), real ale is normally on offer and families are welcome including children. The wearing of away colours is also not a problem. Robert Phipps a Gillingham supporter advises away fans 'to avoid the Cricketers pub in Sturdee Avenue'. |
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| Rainham End And Gordon Road Stand | |
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| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park | |
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Leave the M2 at
Junction 4 and take the A278 towards Gillingham,
going straight across two roundabouts. At the 3rd
roundabout turn left onto the A2 towards Gillingham
town centre. At the traffic
light junction with the A231, turn right
into Nelson Road and passing
the small bus station
take a right turn into Gillingham Road, the ground
is down on your right. |
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| Looking Towards The Brian Moore Stand | |
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| By Train | |
| The
ground is about a ten minute walk away from Gillingham
railway station, which is served by trains from
London Victoria (every 15mins), Charing Cross
(every 30mins), St Pancras and Stratford
International (both located on the same line, every
30mins). It is worth noting that the quickest trains
leave from St Pancras (journey time around 45mins) and
Stratford International (journey time 37mins). Robert Donaldson provides the following directions; 'Turn left out of the station and follow the road until you come to a crossroads. Go straight on into Priestfield Road. The visitors turnstiles are at the far end of Priestfield Road. Allow ten minutes to get from the station and into the ground'. To get to the home areas, turn right at the crossroads and then first left into Gordon Road for the Gillingham End Terrace home area, the Gordon Road Stand and the Rainham End. For the Medway Stand or an alternative route to the Rainham End, turn left at the crossroads and then first right. At the far end the road turns right and then left. |
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| By Official Coach | |
| Robert Donaldson adds; 'If you arrive by official coach the Police will escort the coach to a bus park, a ten minute walk from the ground. To get there, walk from the parking area to the main road, turn left and follow this road until you come to Gillingham Road. Turn right and follow this until you come to the crossroads mentioned above, only this time Priestfield Road is on the left'. | |
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| Local Rivals | |
| With a lack of other league clubs in the area, Gillingham fans have focused on Millwall, Charlton and from a bit further a field Swindon Town. | |
| Admission Prices | |
| Home Fans*: Medway Stand (Lower Tier centre blocks): Adults £23, No Concessions Medway Stand (Lower Tier all other blocks): Adults £21, Over 65's £16, Under 21's £13, Under 16's £9, Under 11's £6 Medway Stand (Upper Tier): Adults £21, Over 65's £16, Under 21's £13, Under 16's £9, Under 11's £6 Rainham End: Adults £18, Over 65's £16, Under 21's £13, Under 16's £9, Under 11's £6 Gordon Road Stand (Centre & Wings): Adults £21, Over 65's £16, Under 21's £13, Under 16's £9, Under 11's £6 Gordon Road Stand (Outer Wings): Adults £18, Over 65's £16, Under 21's £13, Under 16's £9, Under 11's £6 Away Fans*: Brian Moore Stand: Adults £17, Over 65's £16, Under 21's £13, Under 16's £9, Under 11's ££6 * Please note that these ticket prices are for tickets purchased prior to matchday. Tickets bought on the day of the game can cost up to £3 more per adult ticket and £2 for juniors. |
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| Programme | |
| Official
Programme: £3 |
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| Disabled Facilities | |
| For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website. | |
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| Fixtures 2012-2013 | |
| Gillingham FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website) | |
| Record & Average Attendance | |
| 23,002
v Queens Park Rangers, FA Cup 3rd Round, January 10th, 1948. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 11,418 v West Ham United Division One, September 20th, 2003. Average Attendance: 2011-2012: 5,146 (League Two) 2010-2011: 5,231 (League Two) 2009-2010: 6,335 (League One) |
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| Fans Reviews Of Priestfield Stadium | |
| Jonathan
Bennett (Dagenham & Redbridge) 9/4/12 Simon Turner (Northampton Town) 5/11/12 |
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| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel
accommodation in the area then first try a hotel
booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all
types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets
from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast
establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced
Apartments. Plus their booking system is
straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will
earn a small commission if you book through them, but
it will go to help with the running costs of keeping
the Guide going. The Hotels listing also includes
details of how far away the accommodation is located
from Priestfield Stadium. Access their Gillingham Hotels and Guest Houses page. Remember that you can use the above link or panel below to book any other hotels that you may need for business or leisure, either in the UK or abroad. |
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| Map Showing The Location Of Priestfield Stadium, Railway Station and Listed Pubs | |
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Instructions for using
the map:
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| Feedback | |
| If
anything is incorrect or you have something to add,
please e-mail me duncan@footballgrounds.net
and I'll update the guide. |
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