It's been a busy summer so far at the krbs Priestfield Stadium with exciting developments taking place both on and off the pitch.Our Manager, Mark Stimson has been working hard with the players on the training pitch throughout the summer break and the lads are already looking in great shape. The team enjoyed a pre-season training week in La Manga and are now preparing to get stuck in to their friendly fixtures. This summer's the Gills will entertain Stevenage Borough and an Ipswich Town XI before playing host to Alex McLeish's Birmingham City

On the playing front, Mark has taken steps to strengthen the side over the summer and I am delighted with the recent capture of Doncaster Rovers combative striker Mark McCammon.His power and aerial ability will make him a real handful for defences next season and he is a player that Mark holds in very high regard.

Our other summer recruit to date is Alan Julian, a much sought after Goalkeeper who joins us from Stevenage Borough.Alan turned down offers from several League clubs to work with Mark Stimson again and he is sure to provide stiff competition for our current Player of the Year Simon Royce.

The fixture list has been announced for 2008/09 and we have been handed a tough start to the season. We face two of the relegated teams in our opening fixtures, starting our season away at Bournemouth before entertaining Luton Town at home.The following weekend we face the long trip to Darlington who achieved a play-off place last season and are sure to prove a stern test for the Gills.

Mark and the team have been putting in extra hours on the training pitch, indeed we were the first side in the country to return for pre-season training.Mark is determined to hit the ground running next season and the players' hard work over the summer should pay dividends in August. Mark knows that if we can rise to the challenge in our opening fixtures it will put us in a very strong position to compete for promotion in May and he is determined not to be found wanting.

Things have been progressing very well away from the pitch and our 2008/09 season ticket campaign is proving very popular.Season Ticket sales have far exceeded expectations and the krbs Priestfield Stadium is sure to be a formidable place for opposing teams to visit next season.

We are also taking steps to address supporters concerns regarding travel to and from matches and the ongoing issues with parking in the area surrounding the Stadium. The Club is in talks with Medway Council and local bus companies to launch a "Soccer Shuttle" service with collection points throughout the Kent region.Judging by the emails we have already received, the "Soccer Shuttle" will prove to be a very popular initiative.

Get behind the boys next season, your support is greatly appreciated and means a great deal to the team.If we all pull together we can get the Gills back to where we belong

Up The Gills!
Paul D.P. Scally
Chairman