Legendary striker returning to ME7 for Gills game at home to Walsall.
The club is delighted to announce that former striker Dennis Bailey will be returning to MEMS Priestfield Stadium as our “legend for the day” for our game against Walsall on Saturday.
The 56-year-old, who currently resides in the Midlands, arrived at ME7 in the summer of 1995 shortly after Paul Scally’s purchase of the club, and he went on to score 13 goals in 102 appearances. Alongside Leo Fortune-West, Bailey became a cult hero at Priestfield and was a key part of the side that helped win promotion to the second division at the end of 95/96.
He had previously played for Queens Park Rangers and famously scored a hat-trick against Manchester United in Old Trafford in a league fixture in 1992. He was the last player to achieve this feat until Mo Salah did so for Liverpool in October 2021; Cristiano Ronaldo having done so in a Champions League encounter in 2003.
His career however started with Watford in the early 80’s, playing for their youth and reserve teams before signing for Barking, and then Fulham on non-contract terms in 1986. A year later he joined Farnborough, but returned to league Football with Crystal Palace shortly after for a reported fee of £10,000.
Spells at both Bristol Rovers and Birmingham followed before QPR signed the striker for a fee of £175,000 in July 1991.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming Dennis back to ME7 and he will take to the pitch prior to kick-off.
Secure your e-tickets and show your appreciation for Dennis, and the boys, ahead of an important game at Priestfield.