Gillingham FC

The Priestfield Stadium
The Priestfield Stadium is still a very traditional ground, in spite of investment recently in a new stand. For those who wish to sit there are now an adequate number of seats, while those who prefer to watch from a terrace have a choice - covered or open. Sadly, visiting supporters are herded into an uncomfortable corner, not a place one would choose to watch from.
I once saw Welling United hold the Gills to a draw in the FA Cup from this area, and recall the comment from the bloke in front of me. The ref stood talking to his linesman, back to the crowd. The bloke in front of me realised that the ref's shorts were somewhat tight and shouted: 'Oi ref... give my boy them shorts back!'
The panorama below was taken in 1991, and the pitch is clearly better cared for today. The old barrel-roofed terracing remains at the far end, but the newer corner cover has made way for the new Gordon Road stand. A superb old wooden stand once stood on the south side, but went the way of most wooden stands.
The main stand roof often looks over-sized. It was built to replace the original stand roof, but made large enough to cover the enclosue to the front of the seats. A good aerial view of the old stand is to be found in a Gills book published in recent years, but now sadly out of print.

The photos above were taken in 1998, the one below in 1991.