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Gillingham Ground Name: KRBS Priestfield Stadium |
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| Contents | |
| What's The Ground Like? Future Developments Rainham End (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Drink? Gordon Road Stand (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train By Official Coach Medway Stand (photo) Local Rivals Admission Prices Brain Moore Stand (photo) Programme & Fanzine Disabled Facilities Ground Layout Fixtures 2009-2010 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu |
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| What's The Ground Like? | |
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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 two tiered, Medway Stand, opened in 2000, with a row of executive boxes (the type which
you can sit outside of) running across the middle. Opposite is the
tidy all seater Gordon Road Stand. Unfortunately though, it contains
a number of supporting pillars, which may hinder your view. This
also has an unusual TV gantry perched on its roof. The Rainham End,
has also been re-developed, with a single tier cantilevered stand,
which replaced a former terrace. It is an
open all seated 'temporary stand' has been erected
on what was the former Gillingham End terrace, it is hoped that this
will be replaced with a permanent 3,200 seated stand at some
point. This stand has been named the Brian
Moore Stand in memory of the legendary commentator and lifelong
Gills fan. | |
| Future Developments | |
| The Club have recently announced that they embarking on a joint feasibility study with Medway Council, to look at possible suitable sites for a new stadium. If the Club were to move then Priestfield would be re-developed for housing. | |
|
Thanks to Richard Hooper for supplying three photos for this page. | |
| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Away fans are housed in part of the Brian Moore Stand where around 1,500 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, 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 stand. However it is uncovered, so although the Club hand out free rain macs if it rains, still be prepared to get wet! 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. | |
| 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 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. Robert Phipps a Gillingham supporter advises away fans 'to avoid the Cricketers pub in Sturdee Avenue'. | |
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| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park | |
| 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. Alternatively Roger Blackman provides an alternative route from the M2; 'At the start of the M2 keep left and follow A289 towards Gillingham. Continue towards Gillingham and go through through the Medway Tunnel (Priestfield Stadium is signposted from here). Continue on the A289 ignoring the turn off for Gillingham town centre, until you reach the Strand roundabout after about a mile. Turn right at this roundabout and up the hill and over the level crossing. Take the second left past the level crossing into Linden Road and the ground is along this road on the right'. There is a residents only parking scheme in operation around the ground, so if you want to street park, this will mean driving a bit further away to do so. Chris Bell a visiting Northampton Town fan adds; 'There is a cheap pay and display car park (£1 for 3 hours) on Railway Street near Gillingham station, which is less than 10 mins walk from the ground'. For a map showing the location of the ground click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 | |
| Like a number of
Clubs, Gillingham operate a match category policy (A & B) whereby the ticket prices cost more for
the most popular games. Category B prices are shown below in
brackets: Home Fans*: Medway Stand (Lower Tier centre blocks): Adults £26 (£23), No Concessions Medway Stand (Lower Tier all other blocks): Adults £23 (£20), Over 65's £19 (£16), Under 21's £16 (£13), Under 16's £11 (£9), Under 11's £7 (£6) Medway Stand (Upper Tier): Adults £23 (£20), Over 65's £21 (£16), Under 21's £18 (£13), Under 16's £12 (£9), Under 11's £8 (£6) Rainham End: Adults £23 (£20), Over 65's £19 (£16), Under 21's £16 (£13), Under 16's £11 (£9), Under 11's £7 (£6) Gordon Road Stand: Adults £23 (£20), Over 65's £19 (£16), Under 21's £16 (£13), Under 16's £11 (£9), Under 11's £7 (£6) Brian Moore Stand: Adults £23 (£20), Over 65's £19 (£16), Under 21's £16 (£13), Under 16's £11 (£9), Under 11's £7 (£6) Away Fans*: Brian Moore Stand: Adults £23 (£20), Over 65's £19 (£16), Under 21's £16 (£13), Under 16's £11 (£9), Under 11's £7 (£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 £2 more per adult ticket and £1 for juniors. | |
|
Thanks to Pete Wilson for supplying the above photo. | |
| Programme & Fanzine | |
| Official
Programme: £3 Brian Moore's Head Fanzine: £1.50 | |
| Disabled Facilities | |
| For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. | |
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| Fixtures 2009-2010 | |
| For the Gillingham fixture list click here (to take 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: 2009-2010: 6,335 (League One) 2008-2009: 5,307 (League Two) 2007-2008: 6,077 (League One) | |
| Fans Reviews Of Priestfield Stadium | |
| Henry Willard (Yeovil
Town) 15/10/05 Lee Roberts (Doing The 92) 10/2/01 | |
| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. 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. To access their Gillingham page click here. | |
| Feedback | |
| If anything is
incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail
me and I'll update the guide. | |
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