Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys, and welcome back to Priestfield for the last home game of yet another season, and on behalf of everyone at the Club I would like to welcome the Management, Players and supporters from Southampton, whom under the skilful eye of Alan Pardew have had a remarkable run of form this season, narrowly missing out on a playoff place after starting the season with a ten point penalty, the result of an administration. Up until last Saturday, Southampton were relying on other results to go their way and despite their own best efforts, Huddersfield took that final playoff spot with a victory over already relegated Stockport.

Although there may now be nothing resting on todays game from a Southampton point of view, I have no doubt they will be looking to leave Priestfield with maximum points and it therefore falls on us all to ensure we play our part today in keeping the points at Priestfield, as indeed has been the case on many occasions this season. It doesn't need me to remind everyone that this is now our biggest challenge of the season as we fight to keep our noses in front of the teams below us and make up some ground on the teams directly above us.

It seems to be a strange fact that we are no mid table Tessa's, indeed we always seem to be battling it out at the top or alternatively the bottom of the table, and whilst some may say it adds a bit of spice to each season, I have to say my heart could do without the stress and it would be nice to finish a season without the anxiety. All said and done, we are where we are and in true Gillingham fashion we will deal with each situation that presents itself, and given the tremendous depth of support and passion we enjoy at the Club I have no doubt that each and every one of us will be fighting and willing the team on 'til the end.

That support and passion was as ever evident two weeks ago when the boys put on a stunning performance against high flying Leeds United, running out as worthy winners in a game that had just about everything. If I was to single out any players it would be unfair to the rest, as each and every player was magnificent, however I thought our two central defenders were outstanding with Mark Bentley in particular standing head and shoulders above everyone, dealing, alongside Darren, with everything Leeds threw at us.

I thought the crowd and atmosphere was also amazing and, apart from the travelling fans, I'm sure everyone left Priestfield very happy. The same would apply in fairness to our trip to Norwich last Saturday, and although the result didn't go our way, the performance again, especially in the first 75 minutes had all the hallmarks of a team at the top of the table, rather than one nearer the bottom, and although that first away win continues to elude us, when it does come, hopefully next week at Wycombe, it will be well received. No doubt, like myself, everyone will be asking themselves how it is that the team simply hasn't got that first away win.

We've generally played well away from Priestfield and in my view you can count on one hand the times we have failed to perform on our travels, and certainly the team are well prepared, settled and focused, so maybe we just put it down to one of those strange football things that seem to happen from time to time and leave it at that. In the alternative of course, our home record is up there amongst the best in the Leagues, so next season we can build on that, get off to a good start away from Priestfield, and then who knows what could happen.

Many thanks to the supporters who have already shown their support for the Club in renewing their season tickets, and I am pleased from the feedback I have had that most of you feel the pricing to be fair and reasonable, and with supporters rushing to beat the first filing deadline of 5pm today, it looks like next season is going to be extremely well supported if current activity is anything to go by.

Finally it falls upon me to thank you all for your magnificent support this season once again. You are the backbone of this fine Club and nothing would work without your dedication and passion. From myself, The Management, Staff and Players I would again like to say a big thank you and I wish you all a peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing you back at Priestfield in August.

On a final final note, my dear friend and ex groundsman here at the Club, Johnny Wallace, died the week before last from Cancer at the young age of 54. I actually went to see him after the Charlton away game and managed to get him and his family out for a beer in Greenwich that night, not realising of course that that would be our last time together. He had many friends here at Priestfield and we all send our condolences to Kaye his wife and his family. Johnny Wallace, a true legend.

Today though is simply about football and winning. I know that every player in a Blue shirt will give his all, and I know every supporter on the terraces will do the same. Let's get behind the boys and make Priestfield rock

Enjoy the day

Up the Gills
Paul D P Scally
Chairman