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My name is Jon Phipps, I’m a 23-year-old Journalism Student at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston, and I am originally from Kent. I have, for my sins, supported Gillingham for nearly 18 years.
What was your first game?
Mansfield Town at home on February 28 1987. Won 2-0. I know Tony Cascarino scored, but that’s as far as my memory goes!
Describe the most memorable and worst game you've seen and why?
The most memorable game has to be the play-off Final in 2000, when we beat Wigan 3-2 after extra time to finally, after 107 years of waiting, get into Division 1. We trailed 2-1 with six minutes of injury time to go. Those six minutes are the most watched moment on my video recorder as I relive Steve Butler and Andy Thomson’s goals… The worst game? Tricky. Losing 0-4 at home to Bradford was up there – I got snowed on as well, despite sitting in Row N of one of our covered stands – but the worst is undoubtedly the 6-0 defeat at Wolves in March 2003. We were 5-0 down at half time. Thankfully they then declared…
Who do you consider as your current local rivals, and why?
Millwall are the traditional ones, and until this season we’ve had a massive hoodoo over them. But on our current form, even that run has been broken. Personally, I hate Crystal Palace more than them, but Millwall are the nearest ones, so they’re the real rivals.
Who are the best and worst players you have seen?
Best is Robert Taylor – 18 goals in 15 games in our promotion season says enough. This included back to back hat-tricks at Priestfield. The worst player is our current centre half Ian Cox. He’s terrible. You should hope he plays on Saturday – it’s normally worth a two goal start.
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Was always a big fan of the boy Sedgwick – it’s a shame you’ve lost him. Apart from that, I used to like that lad Byfield that you had up front. Where is he now???
How did you fare last season?
Stayed up on the last day with a 0-0 draw at Stoke. We were comfortably mid-table at Christmas, but only recorded four wins after our big cup win against Charlton. We’ve continued in a similar vein so far this year. We have been terrible.
How do you think you'll do this season?
Tough to say. We’re obviously still in the bottom three, but after our impressive showing against Wigan last week, I’ve got some kind of renewed hope. A win on Saturday is a must, and I think we need to follow that with at least four points out of our next two games – at Brighton on Boxing Day and at home to Coventry two days later.
If Gillingham were a TV personality, who would it be and why?
The Ginger One out of Girls Aloud. We’re associated with some of the best, but we’re always going to be the poor relation that nobody really likes.
So what do you think of Rotherham?
A lot of respect for you. You’re probably a smaller club than we are and from what I’m told, you’re even worse run, so you have done brilliantly to be where you are now.
Is your manager barking mad?
Yes, I think he might be. But if he keeps us up, I couldn’t care less.
Scally?? Sometimes I think, "What a prat!!" what about you?
Most of the time, I’m inclined to agree with you. He talks utter crap and doesn’t seem to care about the fans. Plus he’s a Millwall fan…
Relocation For or against?? and Why
Until we can fill Priestfield every week, I can’t see a lot of point in it. I can see even less point in relocating CLOSER to London than we already are, which Mr Scally seems to think is the right idea. Our limited support is down to the London clubs (we are the only club in Kent and the Medway Towns – Gillingham, Rainham, Chatham, Rochester and Strood – have a population bigger than Newcastle. They get 50,000. We get 8,000).
Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
As much of a prat as he is at times, Scally saved my club and I will forever be in his debt for that. He took us from the lower reaches of Division 3 to Division 1. Cannot argue.
Which team do you want to beat the most this season and why?
Any 12 of the 23 we have left to play!
What sort of line-up can we expect from you?
442, with Gallacher in goal, Nosworthy, Hope, Ashby and Rose across the back, Southall, Pouton, Smith and Hills in midfield and then hopefully Byfield and Tommy Johnson up front if they are both fit… If not it’ll be Sidibe and Darius Henderson.
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He’s doing ok so far, but has been struggling with injuries for the last few months… Got five goals so far though, so he’s only one away from equalling our top scorer from last year.
Predicted score?
2-0 to the Gills.
Who's going up?
Ipswich, Wigan and West Ham.
Who's going down?
Rotherham (sorry), Nottingham Forest and hopefully Brighton or Cardiff. But probably Gillingham, sadly.
Cheers Jon