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Gillingham
MEMS Priestfield Stadium

Capacity: 11,582 (all seated)
Address:
Redfern Avenue, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 4DD
Main Telephone No: 01634 300 000
Fax No: 01634 850 986
Ticket Office: 01634 300 000 (choose option 3)
Team Nickname: The Gills
Ground Opened: 1893
Pitch Size: 114 x 75 yards
Shirt Sponsors: MEMS
Home Kit Colours: Blue With White Trim
Away Kit Colours: Black With Blue Trim
Kit Manufacturers: Vandanel
Official Web Site: www.gillinghamfootballclub.com
Unofficial Web Site:
Gills 365

Map
Contents
What's Priestfield Stadium 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 2011-2012
Record & Average Attendance
Fans Ground Reviews
Hotel Accommodation
Priestfield Stadium Location Map


 


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 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.

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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.

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Rainham End

 

Rainham End

Thanks to Richard Hooper for supplying three photos for this page.

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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, 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. Inside the stadium listen out for the 'Last Waltz', the most popular song with the home fans.

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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 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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Gordon Road Stand


Gordon Road Stand

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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'.

Map showing the location of Priestfield Stadium (at the bottom of this page).

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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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Medway Stand


Medway Stand

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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.

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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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Brian Moore Stand


Brian Moore Stand

Thanks to Pete Wilson for supplying the above photo.

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Programme & Fanzine
Official Programme: £3
Brian Moore's Head Fanzine: £1.50

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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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Ground Layout


Layout

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Fixtures 2011-2012
Gillingham FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)

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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)

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Fans Reviews Of Priestfield Stadium
Henry Willard (Yeovil Town) 15/10/05

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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 the football ground. Access their Gillingham Hotels and Guest Houses page.

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Map Showing The Location Of Priestfield Stadium, Railway Station and Listed Pubs

Instructions for using the map:
Use the bar on the left of the map to zoom in / out using the + / - keys.
Click and drag an area of the map to move around or use the up/down, left/right arrows on the map.
Click the Satellite button to see aerial view photograph.


 

 

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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Copyright Duncan Adams 2011
All rights reserved                                                                  
Last Updated: 1 October 2011