Gillingham FC: Priestfield Stadium, Redfern Avenue, Gillingham Kent ME7 4DD Tel: 01634 300000 History: Formed in 1893 as New Brompton FC at the Napier Arms pub.The new club brought the current ground and became founder members of the Southern League. Changed name in 1913 and joined the new Third Division South in 1920. But they were voted out - replaced by Ipswich - in 1938 and continued in the non-league until winning a place back in 1950. It took until 1964 to win the first League promotion. The club lost in the play-offs in 1987 but worse was to follow. The early 1990s saw the club flirt with dropping out of the League, before in 1995 it went into administration. In 1999, the club lost at Wembley in the Div 2 play-off final, despite being 2-0 up against Man City in the 90th minute. The Gills beat Oldham to win the following year and also reached the FA Cup quarter finals, beating Darlington in the 2nd round (our "lucky losers" season). The club struggled before finally being relegated again in 2008. Record Attendance: 23,002 v QPR, FA Cup 3rd Round, 1948 Capacity: 11,400 Last season: Relegated from League One Honours: Div 2 play-off winners, 2000; Div 4 champions 1963/1964 Record victory: 10-0 v Chesterfield, Div 3, 1987 Defeat: 0-8 v Luton Town, Div 3 South 1929 Nickname: The Gills Colours: Blue and white. Manager: Mark Stimson Chairman: Paul Scally Players in: Andy Barcham (Tottenham, loan), Alan Julian (Stevenage), Mark McCammon (Doncaster), Curtis Weston (Leeds), Tyrone Berry, Charlie Daniels (Tottenham, loan) Players out: Leroy Griffiths, Craig Stone, Kevin Maher, Barry Cohen, Georges Ba, Kelvin Jack (all released), Delroy Facey, Aaron Brown, Efje Sodje, Danny Cullip (Lewes), Stuart Thurgood (Grays, loan) Famous fans/players/connections: Stan Ternent (manager), Ron Hillyard, Tony Cascarino, Brian Yeo (players), Brian Moore (late ITV commentator/fan) Click for Streetmap of ground

From the M25, eave at Junction 5 onto the M26, which takes you to the M20 (Junction 3). Go eastwards on the M20 to Junction 6, dropping off onto the A229 north. This connects you into the M2 at Junction 3. Leave the M2 at Junction 4 and take the A278 towards Gillingham, going straight across two roundabouts. At a third roundabout, take a left onto the A2 towards the town centre. At the traffic lights and junction with the A231, bear right into Nelson Road. You then pass a small bus station, then take a right turn into Gillingham Road. The ground is on your right. Avoid nearby streets for parking as there is a residents-only scheme in operation. There is a pay-and-display in Railway Street near the station, or at Castle Street. Or you can park at the Sikh Temple carpark in Franklin Road (£3 after 1pm on Saturdays, no alcohol, smoking or eating on site), which is opposite The Livingstone pub. 1919 Minibus and Taxis Tel: 0161 494 1919 Metro Taxis Tel: 0161 480 2901 Blueline Private Hire Tel: 0161 483 1100 Darlington FC Supporters Club Coach TBC. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington Supporters' Club for more details.

Turn left out of the station and walk down Balmoral Road. Continue straight ahead along this road and you should be able to see the floodlights of the stadium in the distance. Carry straight on up Priestfield Road. The away turnstiles are at the end of this road. TRAINS TIMES (UPDATED JAN '09): No late trains back to Darlington. London Victoria: Plenty of trains, sugg 16.03-16.50; rtn: 21.59-22.48 or 22.10-23.14, although there are also later services if required. Fares: £14-£15.80 return You probably need to leave the match a few minutes early to catch the last trains back elsewhere: Birmingham New Street: 14.10-London Euston (15.34) the underground to London Victoria 16.23-arr 17.11. Rtn: 21.59-(22.48, London Victoria), underground to London Euston, 23.43-arr 01.35. Fares, advance from £14 to £53 Cardiff Central: 13.25-London Paddington (15.32) then underground to London Victoria 16.23-arr 17.11. Rtn: 21.59-(22.48, London Victoria), then underground (Circle line) to London Paddington, 23.30-arr 02.43. Fares from £62, may be cheaper to buy advance to London and cheapday return

Town centre/real ale The Barge 63 Layfield Road, Gillingham. A popular one-roomed real ale pub in a converted stables with a river view. Three changing ales plus Daleside Shrimpers and Bass, the Nelson Brewery's Joshua. Open from 12noon (Sat), 7pm (midweek). About 10 minutes walk to the ground but it's suggested you print off a map. Click for map The Frog and Toad Burnt Oak Terrace A short walk from the station, walk to the end of Victoria Street (beyond Southern Belle pub). A friendly town centre local. Guest beers were Fullers Pride and Otter Amber on the last DAFTS visit. An alternative may be The Dog and Bone, 21, Jeffrey Street, ME7 1DE. A town centre pub not far from the station and 10 minutes walk from the ground. Four real ales and promises regular surprises. Open from 11am Also The Will Adams at 73 Saxton Street which has guest ales, Budvar, real cider and perry and a choice of 27 malts! The last DAFTS visit saw Landlord, Summer Lightning and Harveys and friendly banter with the landlord about football trips. DAFTS recommended

Near the stadium Livingstone Arms, 239 Gillingham Road Away fan-friendly pub, with beer garden, free plates of snacks, and pies. Satellite TV.Click for Streetmap The Hastings Arms Lower Rainham Road, ME7 2YD. Freehouse with Masterbrew, Bombadier nd three guest ales. Italian food. A 10-15-minute walk from the ground. Not far from The Barge. Open from 10am on Sat.

For more historical sights and the Charles Dickens connection, you're better off visiting Rochester and Chatham nearby. Medway Tourism has more details. Medway Visitor Information Centre 95 High St Rochester Tel: 01634 843666. If staying in Gillingham itself, there is the King Charles Hotel on the A231 Brompton Rd (£47 single, £58 double), while there is also a Travelodge in the area and other hotels in Chatham near the docks and maritime area. Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express Online map Hotels/B&Bs Kent Messenger Medway Council Surfing there... There's the Official Gillingham FC site Next away matche: Port Vale (Saturday 14th April) Anything worth adding? Please e-mail us any suggestions. Back to index page No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling. © DAFTS 2009

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