Thetownend.com

Looking very likely this will now be an early Kick Off on police advice, which is most probably the reason tickets havent been released yet.

Another example of OTT policing!

Ott? dont think so, always a powderkeg, and potentially with whats at stake , could be mental, sensible decision imo.

Planing on going to this, looking forward to it. Doubt I'll be wearing any colours or Flash's "punch me" McHale T-Shirt though :)

Good god the old bill sure have taken their time making their minds up on this one. Weren't the fixtures printed last June.

I've heard they were waiting to see if you and your crew were still going ;)

If this is true I'll be extremely pissed off. Already bought my train ticket, which cost me 45 quid.

Seeing the trouble our lot caused a few years back it's hardly surprising.

As long as they put the scaffolding away out of sight !!!

Always OTT at this level i think when your only looking at a crowd of around 7000. If police took this strong a stance all the time in the championship you would be having early kick off every week.

It's not the size of the crowd but the nature of it. This fixture has always been subjected to kick off changes since the mayhem caused a few years ago (when Iffy was manager).

They have to leave it late to make sure they get overtime and not normal scheduling pay ;)

Sounds like you dont a clue about the history of this fixture

Predictable.

I am sure Kent old bill are praying that it will all be in the bag before we go there.

My Tee supplier is toning down...

It's not me they need to worry about. They should know we'll be there regardless, it must be the prospect of your cockney mafia attending making them quiver :-)

Ridiculous that it's been left this late. Tickets should have been on sale by now. There's no excuse for having not come to a decision - I'm sure herthab's not the only one who's had to make plans in advance.

Spoke to the club yesterday. They are shocked that tickets are still being held. Huge turn out of town fans last time. Its only 5 min up the road from us so i just wish they would hurry up. Bloody Kent police....

Oh dear!!! could be a lot of problems!

http://fansonline.net/gillingham/mb/view.php?id=161462

Would be mightily pissed off if that happened, especially if that is the game where we win the title.

http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/gillingham_v_swindon_game_faces_new_police_row_threat_1_1345706

Seems like this is the second time in which there has been a dispute with Kent police; Stoke game almsot didn't go ahead

Promotion party outside the ground then?

" arch-rivals Swindon Town "

Ha.

Maybe the club could look at doing some sort of County Ground beam-back for this one?

I suspect that will be the reason why either Kent Police or Gills will eventually cave in. Last thing they want is large numbers of Swindon fans marauding the streets with no game to go to.

That is so Mickey Mouse.  We all know how this ends, Scally, so get your wallet out and pay the bill.


Oh dear.  I know a few have memories of dust ups from the 1970s and 1980s, but Gills are just another team in League 2 for most of us, I'm afraid.

Un-fucking-beleivable.



http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/april/11/gills_fans_could_be_barred.aspx


Not a big fucking surprise is it. tarmac a few more driveways Scally and get it on.

Unbe-fucking-lievable, surely?

Don't know why.

won't happen surely

Otherwise it really would be a case of
"shit ground, no fans"

The lost gate receipts would massively outweigh anything GFC would have to pay to Kent Police, so it will go ahead.  This is just brinkmanship.  Scally will have to back down, just as he did before the Stoke game.  The Police hold all the cards.

Of course it wont happen. Fl would throw the book at them.

We will win the title here! Predicted this for a long time and like many I'd be fucked off if I wasn't there!

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/april/11/gills_fans_could_be_barred.aspx


As we live within walking distance ill be fuckin rather pissed off

I do understand why Gills are likely to be unhapppy. Last time I went there were probably more police than Town fans around the away end. The amount of taxpayers' money wasted that day was unbelievable.

That said, Gills just need to get over it and fork out. There are likely to be loads of us in the away end and it will need policing properly. You'd think the matchday revenue would make up for costs, particularly if we take 3,000+

Have they got wind of FLASH's T-Shirts?  :D

You have to admit there's an irony there as well.  If you are, as a fanbase, going to persist with bigging up a 'rivalry' with a team from 120 miles away based on trouble at a few games in the 1970s & 1980s that no one under the age of 40 remembers anyway...you shouldn't complain too loudly when the Police decide to up the bill for matchday policing.

Yep. Entirely down to their fans stoking up a rivalry that nobody in Wiltshire was bothered about. I'm hoping JW is doing all he can from our end to get them sorted out. I have no idea what the policing costs are for this, but there's a part of me wants to see us say "Fine, we'll pay for our own party" just to make them look even more pathetic.

And this is why I'm not the CEO of a successful company.

Silly lot.

Everyone knows he will stump up the cash,he just wants a bit of attention,bless.

Would be utterly mad if it happened though,sure it won't,but i wouldn't bother travelling to Gillingham if i couldn't get into the actual game.

surely they could do a whole park here or get the train here and bus people straight into the ground if its that much of an issue?

But this dispute is over what Gills have to pay, and that only covers policing in the ground. If they're charging them for the extra 5,000 police, 600 horses and helicopter they usually send out then you can see why they might be reluctant! To be in this situation 10 days before the game is ridiculous though.

Fuck it. We will pay the police bill and play the game here. Scally is a twat.

Ive got my tickets booked for this and staying at a mates who lives in Kent, I'll have a party outside with Paolo et al!

He will cave in and pay. As reeves said, 10 days before a game and in this situation is ridiculous

Why not go the whole hog, if the peg sales and tarmacing won't cover the police bill we can have the game back at our place!

I wonder if JW has spoken to the company that put the poxford game on in the ground to see if they can beam back the game if it is played behind closed doors.

If I was JW, right now I'd be more worried about getting our fans in at Gills than getting a beam back.

I see there is a big call on the Jills forum to just ban all Swindon fans saying no Swindon fans=no trouble.

I can see their point of view except for the fact that Jills are the trouble makers as they hate us more than we dislike them.

More like lots of Town in Gills end=more trouble.

Medwayred can put 5000 tickets on his credit card to get us all round the inevitable postcode ban.

Even though i agree that they should be worried about getting the game back on, i am sure they have discussed that option of beaming back the game as a last resort.
I don't think the league would allow the game to go ahead without any away fans in the ground as it would contrievene some rule or other.

Banning our fans only would be a complete non-starter.  As JJE says, the aggro originates mainly from their side anyway...but that's hardly the point.  Can you imagine excluding a set of away fans from a game when their team is about to take the title simply in order that the home club can save a little cash on the policing?  Sounds ridiculous - and it is.

The Gills need to sort this out, and quickly.  The longer this drags out, the more stupid they will look when the inevitable climb down happens.

I am certain this will all blow over and the game go ahead but with a 1pm KO time to try and avoid alcohol related trouble making, Scally apparently did the same against Stoke a while back, threatened to stop that game going ahead due to policing cost.....suffice to say it went ahead as normal, its just Scally trying to jump on the publicity bandwagon the fucking Pikey.

Exactly right.

No, that was one bloke, and he got shot down for it. Plenty of people seem quite happy for it to be played behind closed doors though, which is pathetic. If the shoe was on the other foot I'd be incredibly embarassed by my club.

jutty, I've just had a look at the regulations. This was the best I could find...

Surely they are in breach of 32.2.2 then as we dont have the tickets?  :hmmm:

They could probably argue that it's not reasonably practical to send them yet, as they still haven't fulfilled the criteria about having a safety certificate in line with the safety of sports grounds act 1975. There's no mention of the sanctions for failing to do this.

(I've done a lot of procrastination this morning!)

It's probably all a smoke screen to delay releasing our tickets until 48 hours before to deter as many Town fans as possible from getting tickets.

On a side note, their kit for next years looks dreadful.

http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10416~2730033,00.html

Gillingham FC Poll: Is Scally Right to Dispute Policing Costs? (http://fansonline.net/gillingham/poll.php?id=85)

Place your bets now!

One for the TEF pressure group?!

'No' is now in the lead.  Down to us?  Who can tell?

I voted no!

No, simples

I hope the quality of the live feed is better than the Oxford game.

All this and i can presume it will go ahead with both sets of fans the main problem is the delay in getting the tickets to our ticket office it will make it very difficult for us out of towners to get a ticket as i am sure it will be all ticket to away fans and like many others saturdays game is the only time i am going to swindon.

Don't think your too far wrong.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: There's so much wrong with this it's hilarious.  

1) If you look the pics at the bottom of the article, I'm not sure they've thought through how away kits work. The general idea is they should avoid occasions where there would be a clash with your home colours...

2) Their "rivalry" with us can't be that big if their fans will be happy supporting a team in red next season.

3) Paul Scally: "we have reproduced the kit in an identical way to that of 1912/13, including the coat of arms badge and other detail of that time." Look at the kit and see if anything jars, from a strictly historical point of view.

4) Paul Scally: "for just £60 you can purchase both the home and away historic collector's shirt, a once-in-a-lifetime offer". Does this sound really attractive to anyone? How many people actually buy home and (unusable) away shirts in a season?

5) The badge is coming unstuck already.


Scally by name... Makes you grateful for the Watkins marketing machine at Swindon doesn't it.

Confirmed by BBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17678341

Absolute joke from a complete joke of a club, well done Pikeys.

I think there's still a chance it'll go ahead, with fans that is.

[url width=340 height=347]http://images.wikia.com/disney/images/b/bf/Mickey-Mouse-Club.jpg[/url]

This will still go ahead, discussions are ongoing and I'm sure STFC will contribute to the extra bill.

Is this a bid for an alternative away shirt design? It has a certain something...

I am sure it will happen with both sets of fans there, but if they refuse
 to pay the police bill could it be switched to the County Ground has there been any similar cases?

I'll give you that.  I'm sure the Flash is on the case as we speak.  (Ray McHale on one side, and everyone's favourite rodent on the other?)

No chance of that happening

Still think its 99% chance it will go ahead as normal, fans and all.

It probably won't help that the council/police have taken this public though.

On the face of it, a club seemingly unwilling to meet the costs necessary for it to fulfill its fixtures is not going to last long in the League.  But there is almost certainly more to this than meets the eye.

What a fucking tin-pot club. Relegate them.

http://t.co/HMzEfnsv


The most read story on the BBC website right now.

Gillingham fans must be gutted that they now can't sing the "We paid for your hats!" song?!

Tinpot Club!

There is, and I think it's a long-running argument between Scally and the police about level of resource required for big games. But by turning it into a conflict, in the way that Scally has a habit of doing with problems, he polarises opposition and everyone digs their heels in. If he could show evidence that the police over-estimated the resource required at games, he should present a proper case for private negotiation with them. But that doesn't appear to be the way he does things.

I think this is unparalleled in English football, a club choosing to play behind closed doors rather than being told to play behind closed doors.

It does bring up many other issues such as refunds for those season ticket holders who have already paid for their seats, as well as I am pretty sure the FA/FL will not take kindly to this as well.

It smacks of Mickey Mouse in the extreme.

That could be something to do with the slightly misleading highlights headline: "Match ban for all football fans".

This fixture is massive of course, but...

I suspect the 'specific intelligence concerning the match and its fans' translate to bugger all.  Or maybe its those nasty tshirts.  I blame the flash.

Is there an equivalent gills forum to this.  Be interesting to see what they think.

Their forum seems be to down. I wonder if they're feeling a bit embarrased.

http://fansonline.net/gillingham/mb/view.php?id=161462

Was posted earlier in the thread, but as the above says. it's crashed.

Probably the whole football world going on there to laugh at the jokers.....!

Bad timing to "Move to a new host"!

Or good timing depending which side you're on..

Pay up Pikeys, Pikeys pay up...

Someone in the Adver just said that it's now being played in the CG. Trolling surely?

I hope we don't pay a penny towards the policing costs.

Let's have a whip round on Saturday.

A load of crap.

I'm with you.  This is an issue for Gillingham and the local constabulary!

Certainly will not be contributing a penny to their policing costs.  Whatever next ........ Helping out Oxford for our next league meeting with them in 2022?

Someone on the adver site? It must be true then!

Better still give us the run of the ground and ban their fans. Pretty sure the league won't allow the game to be played behind closed doors so if they can't afford the policing costs they should force them to play at our place, No fans allowed my arse.

I'd really like this game moved to a different date, I can't go to this one!

Surely then they'd do it at their place with only their fans.

sorry That bit was tongue in cheek and I meant ban their fans from their ground.Sky are going live from Gillingham shortly.

It's almost as believable as that transfer rumour site.

I heard they will ban Paolo on police advice and we will have Steve Lomas as our stand in manager

I know Gillingham see us as thier biggest rivals and we don't really give a fuck about them, but can you ever imagine us refusing to Oxford because the police bill was too high?  :hmmm:

Thinking about it, the same could be said for Man U v City, or Rangers v Celtic.  

This could all be an elaborate ploy by Scally to get the game televised.

Concidering how long the fixture list has been out you would of thought they would of put a few pennies by for this fixture.

You mean you're asking for common sense...?

Or layed a couple of extra tarmac drives...

The difference between us, Man U, Man C, Rangers and Celtic are that we aren't Mickey Mouse clubs :D

It is pathetic though isn't it. " oh shit we have Swindon next week and we can't afford to pay the police "

Gills fan in peace....

The Game will go ahead with fans. Exactly the same thing happened earlier in the season for our cup game v Stoke
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-16448620

I wouldn't be surprised to see the time change but our games against each other always start early so nothing new there.

As for our shirts next year...a shambles hopefully with no interest from the fans.

Congrats on the promotion this season...hope Mr Rooney has been playing well. If you let us win a week on sat we'll try and knock Oxford out the way. If not see you the season after next probably back in league 2.

This issue has become the most popular article on BBC News.

Hilarious.

Yeah the post started so well then twattery came and spoilt it.

ianh will never negotiate a peace treaty that's for sure.

Just been an interview on SSN with a bloke from their council.

I only flicked on at the end so didn't hear much but it might be repeated..

Just listened to a Kent Council spokesperson say that for an ordinary game there are 9 police in attendance and for the Swindon game they will need to provide 21 plus a commander.

Now, 21 seems very few to me, especially bearing in mind the last time we went down there

Last time there seemed to be dozens of them on every corner. If they're really arguing about paying the wages of 21 police then that's insane - think how much they'd lose in revenues.

Medway Council say the game will not go ahead unless the club meet the policing costs and at the moment arrangements with the police is done on an ad hoc bases from game to game. Fixture list springs to mind ! Sky also told the council man that on the Swindon forums it's saying Swindon fans are still going to travel to celebrate outside the stadium regardless.

As well as paying back the season ticket holders the cost of the tickets, I am not sure how many season ticket holders they have but it must be about 2,000 at £20 a ticket roughly.

What happened last time we went though?

All i remember was We lost 5-0 [hideous] and no one was able to buy any pegs or lucky heather.

Or has there been a game since,forgive me if there has  :)

If all Gillingham squad players sold their caravans it would cover the extra costs.

Pretty sure that was only me as im going down anyway  :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vlXhWzBI28

A little scuffle with police.

Ha. Probably caused a bit of a panic as a result, good work PlymRed!

I'm going there to celebrate also

:D

to be honest, if everyone on here just created a thread and said that they were going to go whether we were allowed in or not, it would be sorted within a few hours

I'm definitely going with a mini bus full to celebrate.

I am not sure whether i'll be going yet.

Depends on how much is riding on the game as I go back to uni the day after.


I'm available for an interview if SSN are reading this..

I will be lighting Chinese Lanterns and sending them over the River Medway.

I'm going with a coach load whether we're allowed in or not

_{*This may not actually be true}

Forgot to say its a really big mini bus.

It's great. I can go to this without breaking my ethical non-attendance record!

Personally think the fotball league need to step in and knock all this on the head ASAP. The whole situation is a joke.

Did make me smile when i went on the Pikey's message board though. No news about this game but main headline is promoting season tickets. Strangely enough no mention of not being allowed in to watch the big matches though.

That Swindon fan who hasn't missed a game home or away for like 30 years is going to be PISSED.

Off.

I'm busy working but I'm sending my spirit and a load of other spirits in a ghost bus.  That'll spook em.

Just hope the mystery machine isnt there to foil my plans.

Will DVCanio be going ?

No wonder when it says "match ban for all football fans". Makes it sound like the whole country is banned

I was merely pointing out that we will definitely be in league 2 in the 2014 season & you have a 4 in 24 chance of also being there. We all know how tough league 1 is nowadays. (& league 2 for that matter!!)

I'm taking the Saga Rose up the Medway - who's in for a booze cruise?

If the match should happen as I expect. what about a fancy dress turn out?! The theme "COPPERS"

Something like this might be more appropriate

[url width=450 height=466]http://www.talentonline.co.nz/fimage/gypsy-gypsies-sydney.jpg[/url]

Your chairman wont let hessentahler fuck it up again next year will he?

Gypsy girls are fit!!!!!

Surely the season that starts in 2014 is 2 years away so the probability should be 1/6 + 1/6 (thats 4/24 + 4/24) - however you would then need to exclude the probability that we may go up or down and then up. However I can't be fucked to work that out (mutually exclusive?) so the simple question should be :

"Does ya mam like dags ?"  ;D

or this....

[url width=634 height=389]http://www.celebritybuggy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/0ab133704534x389.jpg.jpg[/url]

I think you'll find that..

U = stays up
D = goes down

In 2 years, you can have the following 4 possibilities:

P(UU) = 5/6 x 5/6 = 25/36
P(UD) = 5/6 x 1/6 = 5/36
P(DU) = 1/6 x 5/6 = 5/36
P(DD) = 1/6 x 1/6 = 1/36

Therefore, the probability of us being in league two or lower would be:
P(UD) + P(DU) + P(DD) = 5/36 + 5/36 + 1/36 = 11/36

But of course, that doesn't even begin to factor in the chances of promotion, or our footballing skills. :D

He went to wembley

With a bit of persuading at that..?

We can't be relegated to League two twice in two years. its 10/36.

Oops I assumed league two had 4 relegations as well...

You've seriously stopped pretending to be stupid, haven't you. So who were you really all this time?

He's not that bad, he just doesn't understand SAS Travel.

I miss his lovable idiot persona.

 :D

That I can't say.

Guys you're flattering me :-[

Still a cunt. :smugfu:

Well fuck you dear sir :D

 :girlgiggle:

Brian Cox?

Very well done sir.

Hugh Laurie

Just on Sky Sports News.

'On the Swindon message boards fans have been saying they will be going to Gillingham whether or not they are aloud into the game to support their team from outside'

 :bye: hello sky, after gills game we are then heading up to your hq to protest at how you cover lower league football.

I think their coverage is excellent to be fair.

sssh, we have to moan about something.

Dear Sky

Get Georgie Thompson on TV more.

Lots of love

Dave xx

topless xx

Dear Sky,

Please send Georgie Thompson down to the CG to do some interviews with some real Swindon fans instead of trawling through mesage boards.

I can be at the ground in around five minutes.

Just PM me.

Rat out!!! (+Charlotte Jackson)

I'd rather Georgie Thompson.

It was just on SSN, but they didn't mention Swindon message boards this time.

Hayley McQueen for me please......

[url width=465 height=300]http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/people3/jun2011/1/6/win-a-pro-pic-308782289.jpg[/url]

What a rack

Who was the one that was interviewed when we had that open training session

Get alll of the sky sports female presenters to the CG, im sure there will be no end to those who wish to be 'interviewed'  ;)

Cmon Pikeys just pay the fucking money, I wanna watch football when i go to pikeytown and not watch caravans going around all day :(

This one wasn't Sky, and I don't know if she was pretty or not, I just want a closer picture of her face

Well you are all welcome to pop around for a bbq if the game is behind closed doors. Only 10 min from the shitty ground.

Would have to put a bag over her head...looks too much like Gordon for me...it may be a generational thing

Where the fuck were you when I lived in walderslade for two years?

Anyway....I have got the hotel rooms so this better be a big bluff.

If the Football League were to intervene and say either Gillingham would be docked points for failing to fulfil a fixture properly, or award us the 3 points and cancel the game completely, I'm sure the money would soon be found.

Absolute farce and as others have mentioned, why has it taken until now to realise there would be an issue?  Complete and utter jealously, and a pathetic attempt  to spoil our promotion party maybe?

Where the fuck were you when I lived in walderslade for two years?

We have been here 9 years. Depends on when you left boy.

BBQ party it is then?

natalie sawyer is very nice.
Can't beat kirsty gallacher though

You're stopping in a hotel in Gillingham ??

It's because Paul Scally is a horrible little Cunt!

We have no problems when they come down to the CG.

The trouble only occurs at Pikeyland.

Cos they bring about 200 fans.

We'll take 3,000

'YES!' 'YES!' 'YES!' forgot about her, cracking rack!!!

It had better be on. Will be great to give some abuse back. We get loads when we wear our Swindon stuff around this dive.

Is there such a thing?

Sure you ain't staying in a caravan?

Anyone else noticed that Gills forum has been offline this afternoon ?

Yes.

Now what do you think of my picture.

Is that you ? I thought you were older than that.

It will either go ahead as planned or we get the 3 points anyway.

I have my train tickets already so I will be in London for sure

lunch time kick off would be good as i've got an afternoon /evening thingy in laaaaaandon town

Fuck it, Im going anyway!

She does F1 now. So watch the Sky F1 channel this weekend and you'll be a happy bunny.

I can confirm if you're reading this Sky Sports, I will be in Gillingham regardless.

And Millie Cloud as well - and PM me and I'll be there in 10 mins - with a room booked

I suspect that the FA / FL will have something to say on this and if the worst should happen then the Gypo's may be punished, don't think there is any precedent anywhere though in any league

OK, yes I'll be there too  :D

I will go there-be rude not to

I'll be in London  :beers:

Would be interesting to see what the FA/FL make of this. I know (certainly at international level) that if a team refuses to play a game then the match is awarded to the opposition. Quite what the punishment would be for the Pikeys deliberately preventing away supporters from having the required tickets for the match.

I hope we have to turn up,take kick off and score a la Scotland!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_xFh7XFC_w&feature=player_embedded#!

Wont make any difference as UEFA decided to ignore the explicitly stated rules on it and force a replay in Monaco. Lennart Johannsson was head of UEFA at the time. Guess who was challenging Scotland for the top spot in that group!

Anyway, I think Scally is just trying to call the coppers bluff and will eventually cave in.

was good at the time tho'!

Banter!...watch out mate Sherlock will be on your case down that neck of the woods  :sherlock:

They will make it as difficult as possible for us to sell our allocation, that's another reason why we will Be better off once out of this league.

It was amusing to see.

I'm going anyway. I'm going to take the shoddily tarmac'd car park Eric style.

I'm going to newbury races via gillingham

Wouldn't that just involve you turning up on a non match day when no one is around though?

Good point, but unless that dick Scally coughs up it may well be a non-match day.

I'll just claim I took the car park if so ;)

Despite never having been to gillingham, i've already taken it.

Have I missed something? Why are people saying the game won't go ahead? I thought the issue was with the pikeys not wanting to pay the police bill, meaning the game is played but behind closed doors

Because we are all still going anyway, the OB/HSE won't allow it ;)

Were gunna go have a fucking great big party outside the Stadium :)

Pay up Pikeys, Pikeys pay up!

"We pay for our cops, We pay for our cops, We are Swindon and we pay for our cops!"


Saw that on twitter earlier, just incase we don't have enough songs to that tune.

We can never have too many

If it is behind closed doors, Its not a spectators match, would I be aloud in Gillingham ??? Definitely going to have an investigate tomorrow...

When fans go in fancy dress ala Morecambe are they asked to take their masks etc off on entering the ground ?

I didn't go to Morecambe, they could well of been.  ;)

Enough said then  ;)

I'll ring up and find out tomorrow :)

I thought you went, didn't they tell you its not halloween and ask you to remove your mask? Life can be cruel  :D

 :doh:

To be fair even with a banning order what is the chance of actually being spotted and caught at an away game? How would they know to look out for you?

the scene so typically Scottish

If Swindon Police are there they would recognise me, it's just a chance of whether to not to risk are there going to be Swindon police there.

Least you know Gill's won't be paying them..

I think you definitely say that there will be Swindon Police there IF/when it eventually gets resolved.

Standard practice for high profile games like this... there will be Wilts Police 'spotters' there waiting for you... best bet is to go in fancy dress...

Or any dress ...

With less than 10 days before the fixture I have to admit I'm have this horrible feeling it will be played behind closed doors; what a sad outcome that will be not just for us, as we could win the title, but for Gillingham and football in General

So whose to blame; well there are four parites involved, the Football League, Gillingham, Swindon Town and the Kent Police, and all have to take some responsibility.

This has always been a high profile game, our recent meeting have always attracted a big Police precence; there were 7 Town fans arrested in 2008; so why have the Football League, for the third time arranged the fixture at a crucial time. Our two pevious meetings have been at the start of the season, and towards the end of the season; surely this is a game which should be buried in the middle of the fixture list; near christmas, or even a night game.

As for Gillingham and the Kent Police why didn't they resolve this earlier. Unfortunately we don't know what Kent Police are charging so it's difficult to comment; I would expect the majority of Police will be outside the ground rather than inside,and if this is the case then Gillingham might have some justification. Wigan were in dispute with Greater Manchester Police over a £300,000 Police Bill for officers they didn't request, they won the case.

We're not blameless in this, this season we seem to have attracted some unsavory people (can't call them fans); there was Accrington where some lads were causing problems and one decided to start lashing out at a steward with a crutch. Then there was Oxford where some one flooded the away end.

In what has been a sucessful season for the Town, wouldn't it be sad if we enter the record books as being involved in the first League game to be played behind closed doors.

^^^ I really don't see how this is our fault? re: being involved in the first league game to be played behind closed doors.

Did you even go to Accrington? You say a fan starting lashing out at a steward with a crutch, the only reason there was any trouble at Accrington is because said fan with crutch got punched by a steward..

Wondering what this intelligence the OB have is?

Pikeys planning an ambush or Town 'fans" making plans?

Would have thought that most town fans would have been happy to win it there of all places and celebrate accordingly.

They seem to be overly obsessed with us over some shit that went on ages ago- get over it and pay up Pikeys!

Yes I did go haven't missed a game home or away all season.

Yes the steward didn't help the situation however there was agroup that should have been chucked out anyway.

Didn't help the situation? He smacking the matey on crutches in the chops, I'd of hit the cunt with my crutches if it was me as well...

I didn't say it was our fault I would say that we have to take some responsibility, after all Town fans have been involved in trouble before and this creates situations where the police have a bigger precence.

I work with people who are more into rugby and always comment on how they can go to games and stand next to a supporter of the opposing team without any problem.

Having the name of Swindon Town connected to a game which could be played behind closed doors does not really send out a good message about the club or football in general.

I think we all hoped the troubles that football had experienced in the past were behind us; for some reason Kent Police think not

Agreed

But two wrongs don't make a right;

When it involves football fans it just gives clubs a bad name and an unwanted reputation

How is it Swindon Town FC's fault!?!

All football clubs have troublesome supporters, this 'rivalry' is tiny in comparison to others. The Football League expect their members to pay the appropriate fees to ensure that the fixture goes ahead safely and frankly, yet again this fixture seems to mean more to them than us (on the terraces).

The name Pat Scally comes up regularly in a negative way for all sorts of reasons. I'm sure Gillingham fans are reading this so I'm not going to pretend that I know everything about Scally or his running of GFC but it's his responsibility for to pay up.

I'm positive that all football clubs look at policing costs and roll their eyes... just pay up! If you cannot afford it stop kidding yourself and go into administration, take the 10 point deduction and start again  ::)

How such a small incident witnessed by only 9000 odd people in the late 1970's has gone on for so long is ridiculous.

STFC Gazza

Is this the first 'high profile' game ever to be played? No, no it isn't.

If this does not go ahead it is fault of one individual: Paul Scally, whom is a notoriously tight cunt.

No

But it could be the first English League game to be played behind closed doors (West Ham are the only English Club I have found who have played behind closed doors a European game in the 80's - source Wikipedia).


Don't you think it would be a sad day for Football if this happened?

You didn't say that you said we are partly to blame. We are not.

Also gaz you have said the league arranged the fixture at a crucial time.

They werent to know we could win the title there!

Yes it would.

If this was at the County Ground with Town in 1st and Gillingham in 2nd with only goal difference separating the two teams, this game would be going ahead with supporters in their seats.

Aw come on.

Of course they say that, Rugby fans are programmed to say that from an early age. It's like one of those competitions where you have to complete a sentence in under 20 words, such as; "Rugby is better than football because...". I've never met one that can't talk about football unless it's in derogatory terms - some might call it a chip on their shoulder

Agreed, however surely the Football League are aware that this is a high profile fixture as there have been problems over the past few seasons.

The Kent Police would have also been aware of problems in the past seasons, why didn't someone act earlier.

Why run the risk of creating a problem in the first place? Surely that's common sense.

There was another fixture between the two clubs in November (?) at the County Ground which passed off without incident.  As Costanza says, this 'rivalry' pales in to insignificance when compared with others up & down the country (incl our own with Oxford).  There is nothing unusual or untoward about the threat to public safety when Swindon and Gillingham meet.  It is time for Gillingham to meet their obligations as a League club, put their hand in their pocket and pay the bill.

If they do not pay it - and pay it quickly - the Football League should come in to bang some heads together.  They should explain to Gillingham that if they are not willing to meet their obligations as a League club in taking steps to ensure their fixtures can go ahead, they should step aside and give up their League place to a club that is.  They need to stamp this out now.  It is completely unacceptable that our fans are being put in a position where they are prevented not just from watching their team play but, potentially, winnning a league title as well.  This is an issue for the Football League now.  They cannot simply stand back and spectate as Gillingham, the local borough council and Kent Police argue it out.

I agree and if I'm honest, when I was first going to Swindon games aged 6/7, a part of the lure of football was its terrace hostility.

Football fans just don't need 12 glasses of wine, some cider and a venison burger to get rowdy.

:)

Is this really a more high profile game than Oxford v Swindon?  I hardly think so and if we were due to play there next Saturday, there wouldn't be an issue.  This is the fault of Gillingham and nobody else.

Like ive already said this is not the first time it has happened this season with or dear Chairman and the police. It will be resolved, we cant afford it not to be. The game will go ahead....Police will be present, the usual helecopter will be hovering above the ground and surrounding area. Just hope the day passes by without any trouble and we all enjoy ourselves. Ideally we dont want you guys to win the league at our place, but if you do and Rooney scores the winner it will just about sum our season up!

Not exactly a good comparison...TVP and Scum got round their problem by reducing our allocation to slightly les than Cheltnumb and Aldershot, by using the segregation argument...Gills away fan allocation is more like ours.

Of course this fiasco makes trouble more likely...

Tuesday 25th October 2011 to be precise - Midweek

I have a fond dislike for the way certain rugby fans come out with all the cliches etc. regarding football. They usually come across as twats to me :)

I dare say that some would feel that it would be rude not to.

Almost a self-fulfilling prophecy

I bet there's quite a few that had little knowledge of this so called rivalry...... until now

Possibly not, but you get my drift.

I'm really surprised the FL hasn't waded in yet.  If the game does go ahead behind closed doors, it could set a precedent and other clubs might make similar decisions about games they expect trouble from?  Highly unlikely I know, because most other clubs aren't so pathetic and clearly unequipped to hold a football match.  I dread to think what would happen if Gillingham ever escaped League 2 again with Scally there?

Even if it gets sorted, tickets will be on sale so late, it's completely unfair to us.  Gillingham should be fined at the very least for not adhering to rules around the sale of away tickets.

I'd put this down to the fact that the news wasn't announced by Gillingham FC. The two clubs involved are negotiating etc.

The FL have probably contacted them.

Well if Swindon fans turn up in good numbers to support the players outside the ground (that really would be something awesome and if the players could here us from inside the ground)...

Surely policing will have to be as strong..?

There was an interesting post from a poster whose name escapes me now, but has a little green bird as an avatar....

said that he used to go and follow a footy club 9us) and a rugby club (glos) at the same time some years back, always up for trouble at the football, but not in the slightest at the rugby.

There is definitely a different mindset in the two sets of supporters, I will let some of you amateur psychologists try and work out exactly what it is though...

Nice Bloke Really?

thats the one...

If it looks like the game is going closed doors we fans have to get it called off on H&S grounds (because we will go anyway ).

That puts pressure on the league to deducted points from Gills for an unfulfilled fixture.

That puts pressure on Scally from his own fans.

Power to the people!
-----------------------
Mind you, it'll be sorted by lunch time.

It's because rugby doesn't matter as much and rugby fans don't care as much.  How the fuck can anyone applaud the opposition scoring a try against your team I'll never know.  Every goal the opposition scores against us is painful, couldn't care how 'good' it is.  All opposition goals are shit.

Paul Scally is a disgrace, pay up or fuck off.

If they play their cards right, the Adver/BBC wilts could make the most of this.

Remember the sabutteo gimmick when Southampton (?) were charging for photos

some views from other fans
'I hope the away fans go there and cause havok in the town, fuck the filth.. '
http://www.myfootballforum.com/showthread.php?t=42900

'nothing but dirty gypos , pykies , knackers....'
http://forum.charltonlife.com/discussion/47406/fans-banned-gillingham-v-swindon

My favourite is the Charlton forum, its turned into a full blown debate whether or not its racism to call Pikeys, well...Pikeys.

Someone raises a good point, on that otherwise clusterfuck of a forum. How the hell are Gillingham going to respond if they have any big games in the future?!

Are you suggesting we play the game with subbuteo players?
I like that.

We could have a subbuteo crowd too

[url width=500 height=375]http://static.flickr.com/3310/3416792933_8900e42b1c.jpg[/url]

Don't think that's true. I've played and watched a lot of both sports and I think the difference is simply due to a culture of respect. If you play rugby you know there is quite a high risk of injury and you expect to come off the field bruised and battered at the very least. Your team mates expect you to put your body on the line for them and you expect it from them too.That's just part of the game but the fact that you accept the risks and still play the game you love does breed a level of respect amongst both players and supporters. Respecting opponents doesn't mean winning or losing matters any less.

I've seen grown men cry watching both sports and, in my experience, the utter dejection in a rugby changing room after a defeat is absolutely no different to that of a football team.

Complete with riot police, fuck yeah

i cant tell which fans have purchased gillinghams home or away kit for next year :hmmm:

Book him...

[url width=450 height=300]http://www.radiomagnetic.com/images/shows/current_view/lego_police.jpg[/url]

Pikey Scully is trying it on , hes hoping that we might make a donation to his Fuzz Fund so it dont come out of his pocket , the mans a fool, say we are giving 2500 tickets at £20.  a throw , thats a cool 50000, Scully aint going to cut  his nose off for the sake of aan extra 25 coppers inside the ground. The game will be played but there is going to be one almighty rush for tickets
 His fans hate him , we hate him, is he another fatty Evans in Disguise, when  he backs down we and the Gills fans should boycott the game  and let him pay for all of it  from a  zero attendance .
    On the subject of Rugby fans they cause a lot of trouble as well , try going in the shed at Gloucester when playing local opposition, if you aint Glawcester you soon get chased out!
  

I agree, I don't deny that football has a lot of problems that Rugby doesn't have such as fans fighting...but both Rugby Union and League have problems of their own and their fans whiter than white holier than thou view on football makes me laugh because their game isn't full of angels and without it's problems either.

Aren't we tucked away from the home fans anyway on some stupid scafolding seats up high if memory serves correct ?

The problem goes back to when we played them a fews years ago and it all went off. Wiltshire police told Kent police that there would be trouble and that Swindon's risk fans would be attending in large numbers and that is excatly what happened hence all the trouble.

Simply put Kent police fucked up big time a few years ago and so now they go over the top with helicopters, horse's, dogs etc.

As for Rugby fans look up what happens when the two Hull rugby clubs play each other.

Still no further information from any of the parties. I'm almost tempted to write a letter to the FL. British anger at its best.

Make sure to use some very strong words. That'll learn them

I think the earlier comments were all in relation to Rugby Union, Gaz.  Rugby League is a whole different ball game.   ;)

My post still stands even only considering Union.

Bloodgate was laughable that did nothing for their outstanding image they seem determined to uphold and then there's the England players getting cunted at the last World Cup.

I honestly think Sky Sports News is the biggest enemy of this everythings brilliant fantasy land Rugby fans live in, because before noone had the foggiest if anything happened putting the game in to a bad light so they just asumed Rugby was played and watched by he without sin.

Back on topic... a statement was due from Gills yesterday. It's now getting on for 24 hours overdue. Grrrrrrrr

go and stand in the corner and face the wall, we all know which day statements are released and it isn't Statement Thursday.

Might take the two kids and go protest outside their shitty ground at the weekend. Any other Kent Reds wanna come?

http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10416~2732714,00.html

I know there not the brightest, but 24 hours and you get that?

http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10416~2732714,00.html



I wouldn't say it's the most informative stement ever.

Well, thanks for clearing that up.

If you've got nothing good to say, say nothing at all...

Haha was it even worth the effort of typing that up?

If it's not sorted by Saturday I'm basically fucked. Got a train ticket that may or may not be useless, but if the worst comes to the worst I can always drive down. If I can't buy my match ticket on Saturday it all becomes moot anyway...

Scally is the King of fucking pikeys, always looking for something for nothing or a cheap deal.

What. A. Cunt.

Is that it? The FL have to ensure fans are allowed in and a decision is made quickly. Scally is a tool and seems to just want his name in the paper. Pay up you sad little man.

Yes I will be there.

Not from Kent but i will be there :) bring a BBQ, beers and protest!  :beers:

...BUT FAR MORE INFORMATIVE THAN OUR OFFICIAL WEBSITE!

Actually slightly worried :(

Almost in the same situation albeit I have until Tuesday. This is a joke and whatever happens I hope the FL come down on Scally. Have little faith in those muppets either though.

Why haven't the FL intervened yet? Joke!

has anyone called him a cunt yet? well he's a cunt

I definitely have. CUNT!

If this is not sorted by the Plymuff match, the TE should start up the song :

'If you all going to Gillingham, clap your hands'...

And the whole ground should clap, whether they are going or not.

I emailed the football league earlier about why they have been so quiet about this... not had a reply yet, and wont be holding my breath.

Herthab, if the tickets arent on sale before Saturday, I could pick one up for you if you like.

They're going to say no more on this?  What?  Ever?

2004 in a cloud of smoke!

Mr Neighbour WILL be there! He was at barnet and morecambe.

[url width=200 height=200]http://www.koamart.com/images/products/1170_default.gif[/url][url width=225 height=225]http://www.britsuperstore.com/acatalog/Jacobs_club.jpg[/url]

I will be there

Best club statement ever btw!

Cheers mate. I'll drop you a pm if that happens.

there is going to be more chance of trouble down in pikey land if we cant get in to watch the match, i reckon it'll all kick off, you won't be able stop 1k fans from travelling there, the cunt in charge of gills should pay up or fuck off, the cunt

STFC are so feared that this Gills will be the first ever club in all history to play a game behind closed doors voluntarily because they couldn't afford the massive police presence required to control our mob.

Milwall, Leeds, Cardiff, Eric your boys took one hell of a beating!

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :clap:

Im going either way, even if i have too clamp some wheels on every caravan or just stay in the livingston  :pint:  :D

Was it ardiles who said earlier no one under 40 really understood the rivalry with them? This is the sort of reason why, they've been arseholes for countless years, and will continue to be, certainly whilst that pathetic excuse for a chairman breathes. Welcome to the world of the oldies, and our  hate of them.

It was.  And it's basically because the only Gills fan I know is my mate Tim who's actually all right...and he doesn't really get what all the fuss is about either.

But you've just reminded me of something that happened to me a few years ago.  A rep came to give us a presentation at work and, at the end, the conversation turns to football and I must have mentioned who I supported.  The rep's face fell, like I'd just pissed all over his cornflakes.  'You're kidding', he says.  'You'll never guess who I follow!'

And he was right.  I couldn't.
'Oxford?' was my first guess, with a wince.
'No!'
'OK, then.  Bristol City?'
'No!'
'Rovers?'
'No!'

I'm starting to get a little confused now, and you can see he's getting annoyed.

'All right, my final guess...Reading?'

At which point it finally dawns on him that his team really isn't on my radar at all.  Sheepishly, he has to admit that he's a Gills fan, and I give an understanding nod.  That was pretty much the end of our conversation.  I didn't really have anything to add.

Loving the avatar and the sig

 :D

Swiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnndon

You are of course quite right. And I'd argue what was released today can in no way pass for a statement. So statement Friday it is!

Yay! I miss statement friday!

Another day gone by and nothing resolved - utter joke.

The Gills forum is back up though.

I was at the games in 79/80 and at the end of the day its much ado about nothing. It shows just what a wanky club the Pikeys are thats its their defining moment in the last 40 years. Ray McHale is the worst thing to ever happen to them. Nasty Swindon are the worst thnig that has ever happenned to them. Fuck me, what a sheltered life they've led.
We've had a shitload worse thrown at us but we crack on.
A bunch of cunts who bang on about something trivial before they were born having to big it up to justify getting out of bed in the morning. What a bunch of twats.

Going back a few pages to the suggestion that we bear some responsibility, I heard the Acting Chief Constable of Wilts Police on R Wilts this morning saying he was entirely satisfied with arrangements with STFC and is not looking to change them at all.  That suggests a responsible club, unlike Gillingham.

Sorry what would the allocation be roughly? Getting a bit tetchy...

at this rate, 0.

The Away end can hold up to 3000 at gillingham but the police will reduce this down to about 2500, according to my mate  :D

Home end can hold up to 30 caravans and can seat anything between 300-400 peg sellers at a time.

I think we would be lucky to get 2500. 1500 I would say

Any idea how many times a season they have a dag run on the pitch?

D'ya like dags?

We're on the road to nowhere??

Listening to Wray this morning we've offered to play the game as an early kickoff, to send some of our stewards to help (keep Crispy) out, and to tightly restrict who the tickets are sold to (as much as possible).

Come on Gills, really need the tickets on sale tomorrow.

Can't help thinking that if it was Millwall they were dicking around their ground would have been trashed by now!!

I'm sure there is more than a bit of gamesmanship going on regarding releasing tickets to us. Can't see for one minute the game not being played at Gillingham with fans but think we will get our allocation far to late for us to be able to issue them by post which will obviously effect big time the numbers we take.

Everyone muck in and help out. Any out of towners need tickets bought I could get a couple along with mine and we can meet up and sort payment on the day.

Would be a help even if we were able to buy tickets tomorrow for the game and if it didn't go ahead get a refund, at least that way the people who want them stand a chance.

Gills haven't actually released any tickets to us yet so the club are unable to sell tickets until they receive them, I suspect it won't be until at least mid week before we receive tickets and can sell them - assuming fans are allowed in, and of course the game will be all ticket which for these tyoe of games there is not usually any available on the day.

It amazes me that the FL are staying so quiet on this, surely if the worst was to happen then Gils would be in trouble with the FL surely facing some serious sanctions.

Spot on.  Their silence is bizarre.  It does not give the impression that the Football League has control of its competition at all.

the next thing will be a fine for PdC & a fine for the club from those twits

This whole event has been a total joke! Gillingham pikey fc you should be ashamed of yourself...
All you have done is wound your fans up, wound our fans up and its gonna make the game more hostile...well done idiots!  :clap: :suicide:

How about we all call the pikeys...stress them out and hopefully wind them up a little.
Im not missing this game!!

Statement just before 5pm in the traditional fashion?  This is rather silly, and the FL's silence is shocking.

maybe their waiting to see what will happen before they (football league) make any kind of statement, i personally would relegate the pikeys and fine them

Tickets on sale from tomorrow, though the situation is not yet sorted.

One ticket per person

ST's Saturday and General sale Tues onwards

On the OS says we have been given the 'full alocation'.

What actually is the full allocation?

:hmmm: 3,000?! surely not :beers:

God,what a saga.Glad i got my dads port vale ticket today,no way he would have had a chance to get one tomorrow!

Why doesn't the gills chairman just face up to the fact he's going to have to stump up the cash?Dragged on for far too long already and looks set to continue  :frustr:

if i was gills 'fan' i'd be pretty pissed off, they should really try and get him out, he sounds worse then diamond mike

Good news at last, sort of

According to Football Ground Guide website upto 3,400 Supporters

http://www.footballgroundguide.com/gillingham/

It does say on the Swindon Website that there is a chance that it could still go ahead behind closed doors in which case a full refund would be given; so it sounds as if it's still not resolved.

I suppose as they're expecting a large away following better to have everyone inside the ground, hence the full allocation.

and we know what happened to his driveway

Great. Now it's time to worry about whether or not I'll get a ticket, what with not being a ST holder. If anybody wants to let me use theirs tomorrow I'll gladly buy them a pint! :D

If Scally wasn't an arse, these could be on sale to non-ST holders tomorrow, having been on sale to ST holders during the week.

Only one????

You can use mine if you like, i cant go to gillingham. Thats if no one else wants it

Also says it's on sale to 'priority one' season ticket holders only. Is that people who've had them 3 years?

I thought a season ticket holder had priority regardless of how long youve had it. Never heard of this priority one lark

It was mentioned in the literature for next years season tickets as well.

Did they have the same scheme for the JPT final tickets? I cant remember

no, that was through ticket master or whatever they're called.

Simply not possible, dont think Scully has ever been banned from being a director. Diamandis was and is the king of the cunts, makes Evans look like a Saint.

Does anyone know how much the tickets are?

Yeah, I didn't think it came in until next year??

Me either but it's mentioned in todays ticket statement.

It says 'Priority one season ticket holders and club red members', if it is including club red members then I assume it means all ST holders. It would be a bit bizzare if they sold them to ST holders for 3 years and club red members but not ST holders for less than 3 years.

Just checking, it's been a long day.

Funny thing is, by leaving it this late to issue tickets (still without guaranteeing access to the game), the Gills will surely net less after policing costs than if Scally had just paid up in the first place. Business genius.

In all this, no-one has been noticeably looking out for the interests of the STFC fans who will have increased public transport costs to get there at short notice. Would be good to hear that the club have launched a formal complaint to the League, and that Gillingham still have more costs coming their way.

At a guess on my part but is sending the tickets to us, to go on sale tomorrow, in effect an 'intent' from Gills that they expect the game to go ahead. So if it doesn't we can claim back all reasonable admin costs etc for selling tickets...

I'll take it if R4E doesn't take you up on it mate

I'm sure the game will go ahead with fans. But only allowing us to start selling tickets to selected fans a week ahead or less, with the associated extra hassle for fans and admin costs of compressing the process into a few days for the club, should be cause for formal complaint.

If the League don't want to be seen to be sanctioning such behaviour, then they must surely fine Gillingham.

Considering this now

Sorry R4E has taken it mate

Fingers crossed there will be some left for me and the kids Tuesday. They said we have the full allocation so lets hope we do.

Would be nice to know how much we are being charged to get into the caravan park wouldn't it!

I was told approx. £19

Does it come with free lucky heather?

Likewise, you can get there from Victoria can't you?

Maybe

For that price I'd expect a few pegs thrown in too

As we charge an extortionate 25 quid, we're not in any position to get snarky about other team's prices.

@Summerof69 Are the Trust attempting to do anything about this? Apart from making hilarious gypsy jokes on messageboards?

I thought the joke about pegs might have given away the fact I wasn't being entirely serious.

But for an extra £6, they get a roof.

And they get their own bar and thrown in they get to watch the mighty reds all for £25 good value I say.

Im not sure how early to get down there tomos for my ticket. Part of me is saying that it will be mightily busy due to the lack of time to get tickets, but part of me thinks that we wont sell our allocation.....advice?

If they are giving us 3,000 there should be plenty to go around but better safe than sorry, get there early then in for a few pints ahead of the queues.

I was planning on getting there early anyway, maybe between 11 and half 11

Gills away end holds 3400 if given full allocation.

Still a 3pm kick-off then (if it goes ahead)


http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/news/9648853.Sale_now_on/

aparently on the radio they said we only got 1.4k

Have been queuing for half hour now just to get into the TO. Mix of people wanting Gills tickets and pick ups for today.

Its only about 30 people waiting but very slow

I'm 24th in the queue on the phone - been waiting for 10 mins so far and apparently still another 33 mins to hold for!

In the queue at approx 08:15 and TO opened at 08:20. Tickets secured by 09:10. The trouble is that they are having to enter everybodys ST details into the computer rather than just taking the money and handing over the tickets. Not sure if it has been mentioned that the TO is open until 6:30 today. Also told that we only have 1400 tickets by Jason in the office. 

Got my ticket  :D

If we only have 1400 tickets then that is fucking shit. The away end holds twice that number, fucking pikey chairman!

If they were coming to the CG in the same situation as us, they would have the full allocation.

The ticket office needs barcode scanners to bring up the details much quicker. It seems daft to have the facility on the turnstiles but not in the ticket office.

Got my tickets after an hour on the phone (so an additional £6 on the phone bill!) - girl on the phone also said we only have 1,400 tickets for the game as mentioned above.

Think they'll nearly all be gone by end of today.

Would think 1400 tickets means that its much more likely that away fans will be allowed in.Lets face it,if 3000 town fans were going to rock up,the policing costs would be the maxium amount.In a weird way its probably a good thing,especially for those who get tickets  :)

Got to 4th in queue after being on line for nearly an hour and the phone went dead....aghhh.

Back on line now !!

No queue and no rain at the county ground

As a non-season ticket holder my chances of getting a ticket for this game appear to be virtually nil.Cheeky home ticket?

Thing is, any time a club wants to bring 3,000 here we seem to manage to accomodate them, whetehr it's Southampton, Leeds or Oxford. So why can't other clubs cope?

Your chairmans a twat, your chairmans a twaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat, 1400 tickets, your chairmans a twat :)

Because we dont have enough songs to that tune

Home fans are given half the away end if demand is there so it must be that case this time.

Given they are hunting for a playoff place they must be expecting decent home turnout.

I can't believe that's the case. Half of them were hoping it'd be behind closed doors so they didn't have to go!

Yes, or Bromley South which is where I would probably go from

If we only have 1400 I'll be gutted. Gutted if I don't get a ticket

Doubt they know what demand is from the home fans to be honest. They're not selling tickets are they?

According to their website the "on sale" date was from 29th March. Whether they went on sale who knows, presumably they are suspended now.

My mate got me my tickets so I'm happy.

8 tickets snapped up for next Saturday, hugely looking forward to this next week now as any Town fan is I'm sure!

Quickest train from Swindon into Paddington up to Kings Cross and out to Gills? (I know you can go from Charing Cross/Victoria as well)

Disappointing that they only gave us 1468 tickets. We've sold 574 so far, according to STFC Twitter.

Thought we'd probably sell all our allocation saturday. 574 is disappointing given our league position etc. Still i have one so not complaining. Much.

A bit disappointing, but it was only 1 per season ticket and the Gills situation hasn't been resolved. We could/should still sell out IMHO if Scally pulls his finger out.

I guess it would help if we knew if the match was actually going ahead or not. Plus one ticket per season ticket holder is bound to hold up sales.

I think it's a disgrace that this situation has still not been resolved.  And just as disgraceful that, as yet, the Football League has said nothing.  Very possible, now, that the title could come our way on Saturday.  Completely farcical.  The League's silence makes no sense at all.

Agree wholeheartedly Ardiles. The Football League's silence on this is deafening, should have been resolved ages ago and they should definitely have stepped in by now. This game has been scheduled for 10 months!!!! Ok we might bring a few more given where we are in the table but it's hardly going to make it World War 3. There's always a prospect of trouble when we go there anyway, so the "police intelligence" being referred to is hardly a revelation is it.

Strangley, the football league never responed to my email about their deafening silence.

I'd be interested to hear from the Club whether they have had any discussions with representatives from the Football League - or whether they have been restricted to talks with Gillingham/Kent Police/Medway Borough.

It is unacceptable for the Football League to adopt a 'hands off', 'sort it out amongst yourselves' attitude when the integrity of their own competition is being jeopardised by the failings of a club Chairman.

I was informed by Dave in the ticket office that the matter has gone to court this week, and we might not know until Friday if its going ahead with or without fans or at all. This is probably the reason why the football league hasnt commented as yet.

That information should be communicated by the FL, even as a "can not comment pending a court action" satement. By saying nothing it appears they are disinterested or unaware of the situation (which is impossible).

In fact, if this may only be resolved sometime Friday the Gills have the book thrown at them anyway, though no doubt they will claim the police were late providing categorisation and policing costs.

The football league, is full of shit...

I agree with you. I wasnt saying that it gives the football league an excuse not to comment, just thats probably their own reasoning. "they have too much important stuff to get on with" no doubt!

Sorry, my pop was solely at the FL, not the messenger :)

I cant see how it can go to court though - the police can say pay up or you do not get your safety certificate, what has Scally & Co got to argue about if they do not organise this at the start of the season like most other clubs

Gills fan in peace.....

Brian Moore stand holds over 3k in total but due the lower corners being v close to home fans they always leave these areas blocked off. The usual away allocation for big games would be 2500, as Gillingham dont have the support anymore to use the Brian Moore (sad but true!)......I would hope that we would open up the rest of the stand for you guys on sat if there is the demand. I guess it depends a bit on what happens this week & hwo the police see the situation.

Well done you guys are nearly there....we on the other hand are a long way off! Gutted i cant go on sat, i think a lot of Gills fans will be missing. Hope its a good game without any problems off the field. COYG

Roooooney Rooooney Roooooney

Has he been playing well?? He never tracked back for us and he cant tackle, but i guess he doesnt need to on your team

He's got on PDC's nerves a bit for giving the ball away and perhaps not putting in a shift. As soon as he made a mistake he took him off. I think he'll struggle to get back in the team once Ritchie is fit and Holmes switches back to the left.

He did well on saturday when came on and made the goal.

A PDC pres-season should kick him into shape

He sometimes doesn't pick the right man when looking to pass but you can't fault the runs he makes. Dangerous player.

A big issue with this situation is that tehre's no consideration for the fans who have to make travel plans. As mentioned, some have already bought train tickets in the hope it's going ahead. Others will find out this week, and if the game does go ahead with spectators, then train fares are going to be very high at the last minute.

Maybe a case for the FSF to take up and lobby the FL over? Hadn't thought of contacting them until now.

Whats new??

I take it there is no possibility of getting tickets on the day?
If that is the case, might chance it in the home end

Youve got the accent and the pikey harstylle

Was thinking i might turn up in my transit, lay some crazy paving and rape some of the locals
Get my drift mush?

It's customary to do the grabbing bit first, more acceptable that way.

It isn't the police who issue the safety certificate it is the local council.

And at the moment Medway council won't issue the certificate because the police have given them information to say they need extra police inside the ground but Scally won't pay for them. Think that's about right so hoping Scally pays up to resolve this fiasco.

What was our allocation for this?

Apparently we've got around 1400 so far. Don't know if we'll get any more.

Surely if they give us more it will contribute to the additional policing costs.

Yes, but an extra 1000 tickets at an average of, say, £16 will more than cover the added policing costs.

ticket sorted and im told its off to the high court today. fingers crossed

What is? There is no legal dispute. Jills won't pay what it costs.

thats what the lad in the ticket office said.

Yay tickets purchased. Kids and huge flag ready. Now for Bradford tickets....

The guy in the ticket office also told me that he cant see the court backing up scally, so in his opinion it will end up behind closed doors.

Does anyone remember the "12th man Flag" and who owns it? - if fans are allowed, could be a good one to bring to

Interesting. Who is taking who to high court? Gills v Plod. FL v Gills. STFC v Gills. Council v Gills? There must be a way to find out?

Just got my ticket. TO reckon that we still have quite a few tickets left (500?). Looks like people may not want to take the risk on booking trains etc. if they can't see the game. Suspect others may be leaving it till later when they get the SAS coaches.

I would think the court case is Gills v Plod as won't scally be saying that the costs are unreasonable and should be reduced? Just a thought.

are tickets for this on sale to anyone or just season ticket holders?

On general sale this morning

thanks

As no-one from the Trust bothered to answer the question I asked earlier on this thread (they may not have seen it), or the email I sent in reply to the newsletter thing about this (which they should have seen, or else they should check their email more often), I'll ask again:

Is the Trust doing anything about this? If so, what? If not, why not?

I haven't heard anything, Paul.  But may be seeing John Ward later on.  If I do, I'll ask.

As mentioned numerous times, it just doesn't make sense for Gills to play the game behind closed doors. The policing costs won't be anywhere near the amount of revenue they'll make from ticket sales, so from a purely economic point of view, I don't see how Scally can go ahead without fans.

That said, if it does go ahead in an empty ground, it would be typical of the FL to come out some time next week and say this situation should never have happened, blame somebody else, then carry on as normal, when really they should be communicating with fans and pushing for this to be resolved.

The game will be on and with it behind closed doors

I meant not behind closed doirs

Thanks Ardiles.

FWIW, I strongly suspect that this is being driven by ACPO - it's more than a little coincidental that barely a week after ACPO start trumpeting their "Football clubs should pay the entire cost of any policing on a match day whether it's near the ground or not" report, they manage to find a convenient test case which meets all the criteria:

1) History of trouble to point to - check
2) Lower-league clubs so no massive outcry if the game gets pulled - check
3) Still sufficiently high profile to act as a "We're serious about this" warning message to other clubs - check
4) Arsey chairman who can be relied upon to kick up a fuss and put the fixture at risk - check

I think those pointing the finger at Scally, FL etc should perhaps look at some of the bigger context here. We're being used as a test case/shot across the bows by the coppers for a scheme they'd like to introduce more widely (greatly extended costs of policing) and which could break some clubs.

An interesting theory, and I wouldn't be surprised if you're right. This happening so soon after the announcements about policing costs did seem rather more than a coincidence, and as you say, all the factors point to this being an ideal test case.

However, it could just be the case that Scally is being an arse.

It's actually not that much of a coincidence at all because this is not the first time Scally has done this

There is that, which is the main reason I'm still quite open to the idea that it could all be Scally's fault.

Funny you should say that.  It's exactly what I was thinking yesterday...and very nearly posted something to that effect before realising I had far too much work on and really shouldn't be arsing about on a football forum.  (I'm off work today.  ;) )  It occurred to me that Scally may even have been egged on by other club Chairman to take this as far as he can without losing the income.

Swindon Town have now sold 820 tickets from the 1,468 allocation for Saturday's League 2 fixture at Gillingham #STFC


From Twitter

It would certainly explain why this is supposedly being heard in court today. I can't imagine that a row over regular policing costs would've been escalated through the court system so quickly.

The two aren't mutually exclusive. Point 4 of the "checklist" above is precisely that - that if they were looking for a test case, they'd need one where they can rely on the chairman being an arse. Scally fits the bill perfectly.

Good points and undoubtedly an element of truth in that, the only slight flaw I see though is number 2. Should the game go ahead where the championship could be decided and where fans are banned there would be such a fuss generated in the press it'll make all the parties (Medway Council, Police, Gills) look like incompetent pedantic twats and thus the strategy would backfire significantly

Rumours that Scally owes the Old Bill for the last 6 months.

that cunt owes me a tenner as well

An article by the Chair of the Kent Police Authority


http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ann-barnes/policing-football-on-a-fa_b_1431192.html

As much as public order policing is important to fans, so is being able to watch your team in a match where they could potentially win the league. We can 'hope' the various parties come to an agreement as much as we like, but the fact of the matter is somebody needs a kick up the arse, whether it's Scally, the police, or both.

Add weight to Paul D's point.

That ACPO article annoyed me. I didn't see it mentioned the benefits to the local community a "big match" can bring. Specifically increased trade which equates to increased VAT and other taxes. Which pays for police. Over the course of a season just how much of a drain is a football club to indirect police costs?

Game ON!


http://www.kentsportsnews.com/gills-game-gets-go-ahead-18-04-2012/

Ol Scally Wag was on bbc rs this morning, well a clippit, but he said that Gillingham FC are going to sue Kent police after this fiasco...

Now game is going ahead lets sell this allocation sharpish hopfully get some more and sell them.


Promotion party

 :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers: :beers:

He was interviewed by some knob on BBC WS this am, has paid the Police for this one game only but is still in dispute with them over their general policy. It's a formality for Medway Council to lift the banning order this morning, game on.

Tbf he came across ok, same cannot be said for the interviewer who was spoiling for a fight that wasn't there to be had.

After watching the game last night I'm quite pleased I'm not going to this one!

All over Sky Sports News, Scally is on now.

- Not relived because saw it as not a problem, police imposed since Jan on a number of games - which gills have resisted
- Swindon game came up and the Scally didn't agree it should be a CAT C game
- 11th april probation notice served
- Very disappointed with council
- Council caused more harm than good
- Had healthy talks with police and agreed to pay
- Further talks going forward to be held
- Was always going to be a big game, but bigger because we didn't go up last night
- Don't expect problems, never do against Swindon
- Looking forward too seeing Paolo

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17753007

"It looked at crime patterns in coloration to matches and the findings suggest that there are significant increases in crime and disorder on match days."

would they be the green games or the red games????

I really want to go to this now.

Common sense prevails, hallelujah!

YES! YES! YES! YES!....Looking forward to Saturday immensely now, good few beers around London & fingers crossed the players pull their fingers out to get the result we need!!!

GET IN

Quality weekend ahead!

Brilliant news, cheered me up no end after last night. I'm away working all week, staying in Chatham Friday night. Anyone know the area for a decent place to go out?

Let's get those ticktes sold ASAP! Looking forward to this now!

I'll have mine back cheers ;)

Caravan World in Chatham is worth a visit. The Medway Museum of Travel is a must, as is Lucky's Garden Centre in Rochester, which stocks over 30 varieties of heather.

Im staying the Friday night in Canterbury with a mate from uni and apparently its a decent night out there. Cant say i believe him though  :hmmm:

Then having a night out in Gillingham with a few of his mates on the Saturday (should be interesting to say the least!!)

Gills fan in peace...

Glad its on, never in doubt really.

Canterbury is a fairly quiet night now, local oldy woldy pubs if thats what you are after.

If you are after something more lively on sat night, i'd go for Maidstone. Gillingham is awful as is Chatham. Rocheester is not much better but it depends what floats your boat!

Hope you enjoy your day out (not too much)& hope its not too wet for you all. Will you sell the 1500 ??

900 sold so far, but I'm sure we'll sell out now we know it's on (and we still need a point!)

Woke up this morning and after the disappointment of last nigh found my dad's gone and got tickets for this.

Happy Days!

the 1500...i presume is all top tier, or you reckon they'll split the stand in half and give us the right hand side of the stand like normal?

Rochester is really good for going out if you are staying. Any idea on pubs? Last time we played here around 200 town fans met up in Rochester high street before getting the 5 min train trip to Gills land....

Jesus Christ. Rochester. Are you sure? I've been top Rochester and it's a shitheap.

You will get the right hand side of the Brian Moore stand as you look at it from pitch top & bottom i would think. If you get a bigger allocation you'll get to move further left. Its a good view from the top but you may get cold & wet of course.

Its the Livingston Arms (2 min walk from the ground) in the town iswhere all the away fans are allowed with home fans but it will be rammed!!

Last time I went, that pub was so full it wasn't even worth trying to get a drink. Went to the offy instead! Tempted to have a couple of drinks in London then head down later this time around.

Since we were last there, the High Speed line out of St Pancras has opened, meaning that London becomes a more obvious place to stop off for a few beers on the way to Gillingham.  A few of the people I was talking to last night were planning to do just that - mainly because trying to get a beer in Gillingham itself is so hit & miss.

I want something more lively so might get him to go Maidstone, although i doubt anywhere around that area will be as good as it is here at uni  :hmmm:
Cant say i was looking forward to a night out in Gillingham, the only lure was he said a few of his 'hot' friends were heading up from dover to go there. Maidstone isnt too far so hopefully they will go there instead   :wink:

 :hmmm:

Think I'll give that a miss. Thanks anyway  :)

think a fair few of us are goin to just have beers at st pancras station before catching the high speed line.

The new pub in Kings Cross station is half decent and just across the road from the back entrance to St. Pancras. It's at the back up the stairs by Platform 9 but charges the usual uplifted station prices.

'Hot' & Dover do not go together i can assure you of that!

400 tickets left for the lucky people who can make it!

At least it's got sole.

Train is only £48.50 return. I will get the train down, then stop in London for a few pints before and after the match I'd imagine.  Get to Gillingham about 210 I think it is, Straight to the ground (with police escort i expect)

All ticket now

Walk out the front of Kingsx turn right and head up the road to the Euston Flyer, far better bet for a few beers.

Yeah and look after your phone!  ???

  :clap: and living in London you'd think he'd be wise to the perils of pickpockets!

My mate used to live in Chatham and we went to a nightclub in Rochester. What an experience that was.

  and living in London you'd think he'd be wise to the perils of pickpockets!

Harsh......

But fair! I did sympathise with him about it on Tuesday night!

will be poor if we dont sell all of the tickets, i thought we'd ask for more!

Same here. Maybe it is one game too fair financially for some people? I know I was in two minds whether to go. Am going to Port Vale so hope it is all done and dusted by then as I can't afford Bradford  :no:

I think if the game had been definately going ahead a week or so ago then we would have easily sold out, but the increased train costs of booking now would be putting a lot of people off!

Only reason i booked trains early is because im staying at a mates down there and wouldnt be able to afford it now

Yep. Not being able to make travel plans early will have put a lot of people off. I bet Kent police are delighted. Thankfully, I can get there for under £12 return!

Looks like it's going to be wet too. I won't care too much if we win.

Still can't decide weather to go.

I take it that if I ring up and buy tickets, I can collect them at Gillingham?

So, who wants to sort me out a ticket and give me a lift?

Langers, I didn't go to Aldershot and spent up until 9:45 regretting it! Thing is, we could lose there and still get promoted. But it might make the title tight.

I know your right, would hate to not see us go up.

Oh fuck it, i'm going! Should I be ok to get tickets tomorrow?

Where are you going from R4E for £12 return? Have you got a young bod's railcard? I'm still undecided whether to go from Victoria or St P.

You can from Victoria for that, with a railcard. Won't be too much more without I shouldn't think.

If we can't sell out for a game where we can achieve promotion frankly that's embarrassing.

Oh, we'll sell out. I'm sure allot of people had to make a choice between Aldershot and Gillingham (myself included). I'm not allowed to go to Gillingham (says the missus) and nore can I afford it.

Usually I'd agree, but given all that's gone on this week it's hardly a surprise. The train costs the best part of £50 per person from Swindon now, and a lot will be put off by the perceived threat of trouble.

I've been borrowing money for the past few weeks and yet I can still find the cash to go. I've got 20 quid in my wallet, bring it on. Although to be fair I do get my student loan on Monday so I'm hardly in a desperate situation.

Any tips on parking?

I used park and ride before From some school and it was a right ball ache!

Any road names would be useful!!

Also".......... Anybody got spaces?

I'm going down Friday but a mate wants to go.....Swindon based.

Trains arnt that expensive you cant get on a group save 4 for £24 from swindon to gills......one point is all we need!!!

yep-im picking mine up at the ground

62 fucking quid for me, sorry I can't justify that cost!

Cheers. Will buy mine in the morning.

Try this...

http://www.cambridgedrivingschool.net/bay-parking-technique.html (http://www.cambridgedrivingschool.net/bay-parking-technique.html)

we are getting wet say we are getting wet

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

That's fine as long as you know another 3 people that want to go.  I don't and train cost me £44.

no its got to be, we're gonna get wet, we're gonna get wet' we are swindon we're gonna get wet ::) :-[

I ordered tickets on the phone on Tuesday morning (was on hold from 8.25). Just come in and they haven't arrived yet.  Problem is I go to work first thing and won't know if they've arrived til tmrw evening, when it will be too late to do anything if they aren't there. Not sure what to do other than phone the tic office at 8.30.

Anyone else in the same boat?

I' going to park in the pay and display by the train station (Railway Street for Sat Navs) as it's on;y £3 and a 10 minute walk to the ground from there.
There is loads of street parking round the ground but I'm not sure if it's resident parking. Would offer lifts as I'm going down there on my lonesome, but I'm going from Surrey.

Anyone going via Slough?  ;D

"We're getting wet, who gives a fuck? We're super Swindon and we're going up"

Meh, too much learning.

Don't know if this will help anyone.....maybe in terms of costs, but I'm already going to be in Pikeyland so can't offer a lift there. However if you can get there I'm happy to offer a free lift back. So if a return train ticket is too much money, you can get a single and get a ride back home straight after the match. Will be home by 7.30-8.00pm.

Can't believe this hasn't sold out yet, come on lads snap up the tickets...we could win the league or at worst get promoted!!!!  :beers:

Anyone driving through Slough :-[ :-[ :-[

Or at very worst get nothing, although I do think we will get a draw down there.

The good news is, we could lose 7-0 and still get promoted, as long as Crawley or Torquay drop points. Obviously winning and claiming the title has to be the aim...

Spot on Reeves, hoping to celebrate proper for the third game running to confirm at least promotion!!!

I did go Tuesday hoping to see us promoted but Although I can't be there Saturday would still love us to get all three points which will leave us the last two games to get at least one more. Also hoping we get the points ourselves rather than others dropping them, reckon it will feel even more special this way.

All the nearest rds round the ground are residents only but if you are prepared to walk 10 mins there is loads of street parking. If not there is a shed load at of room at the station. Woodlands primary school also offer matchday parking from £2 from 1.30 onwards. Postcode is ME7 2DU.....see link below to see how close it is to ground.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1R2ADSA_enGB466&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&wrapid=tlif133490801698310&q=ME7+2DU&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x47d8d283ca1767a3:0x15a6f5f0662352b,ME7+2DU&gl=uk&ei=dxSRT4r9HYK08QOs6MCPBA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CCEQ8gEwAA

Serious question - and I know this runs the risk that I'm going to be ridiculed mercilessly if there's an obvious answer.  But why are Gillingham known as the Pikeys?

Is that part of Kent home to a large traveller community?  Do men tend to wear their hair a little longer than average?  (I suppose Rooney does.)

If I'm honest, I haven't got the first idea how the nickname came about.  Anyone care to illuminate?

I believe it originally came about due to the high population of travellers in the area, they though are self proclaimed Pikey Army so don't see it as an insult, wierdly, but the actual origin I can honestly say I don't know.

The Pikey police saw it as an insult a couple of years ago.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2010/march/5/fan_cleared_in_chant_case.aspx

thankfully common sense prevailed.

Not at the moment trig

Must see this show to understand what the character is like.

200 tickets still left, so around 1250 going so far.

Anyone know if we're able to buy a ticket and pick it up at the Gills ground tomorrow or does that go against the 'All Ticket' rules?

He's a retard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRGPpwOw7xE

Somebody else said they were doing that. Might as well ring up and ask, nothing to lose!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FYUyz3F7rU

Quite frankly embarrassing considering we can gain promotion and even the title tomorrow.

120 tickets left now

Think this sums it up best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbha4XclSMU

Hahahaha fucking love it.
Gotta watch some of that.

So is Dave or Rodney stupid as well?

Surprised we're not selling quicker - we sold 1400 for Aldershot on a Tuesday night and those tickets went quickly, still we'll definately sell out, will be nice to see us all in one stand! Red and White scarfs at the ready!!

Do you live in a Cave?

yeah-thats what I've done

Rooney won't be playing tmrw, along with three others.  Let the speculation begin

Again... Gillingham is twice as far, much more expensive to get to, there's a whole load of politics which has made it hard to plan, and many will be put off by fear of trouble. You can't compare it to Aldershot.

Had tickets been put on sale 3 weeks ago without all the fuss, we'd have sold out a long time ago.

Don't care, as long as one of them is Murray!

Thought this would be appropriate given that we're playing the pikeys tomorrow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wX8AbBWc08

Quote from di Canio

“I received an apology from every single player who did not behave completely professionally, and this doesn’t mean I push them out straight away,” he said.

So every single player who did not act professionally has apolgised.  Let's end this shit now and win promotion on Saturday.

A long shot but we are a group of 3 planing on catching the 8:35 train and need one more to get a group saver ticket................if anyone is planning on catching same train and hasn't bought ticket yet please PM me as will save quite a few quid.......
What do pounds make  :pint:

If you don't get the 4th person, can't you get a group saver for 3?

You can get Group Saver 3s.

I hope there is room to put up big flags tomorrow. I have under 5s footy school first with lots of Gills fans. Should be interesting.

I'm in my luxury accommodation at Rainham.

Clean sheets and the telly works and the wifi is working after a ball ache set up.

6 star lodge this!

I've not long got to my place in Chatham. Can't move for pikeys!  :(

Ohh i have footy in Rainham in the morning.

I predict something beautiful happening between you two.

Got my ticket this morning.

If you bought tickets and are picking up at the ground, I was told that you can pick them up at the away turnstiles after 1.30pm as the tickets are travelling with the supporters coach.

well ding bloody dong... :toocool:

I have an image of twenty tickets sat nicely on a coach.

Total strangers sat in silence except the OAP concesion ticket who is trouble on account of needing a piss every five mins.

I might pop down and watch!

I can always be a football 'nut you in the face' mate....ask that cunt Jutty.

My mate from south moors has had his group 4 go to rat shit.

So....two blokes looking for a lift or lads to share group 4 or 3.

Message me if anything going?

Let's hope there isn't a repeat of Brighton in the play-off semis when the tickets never made it onto the supporters coach!

Looks like the 10 something train for me. Hold a sign up if you are on the same train and we'll get a group saver!

Im at my mates in Gillingham and its a shithole. Convinced him to go out in Maidstone tomoz which i gather is a little bit less of a shithole

Saw 2 town fans getting on the train at Gillingham, any of you those 2 miserable looking bastards?

When you mention 'miserable looking' Were they our social desirable type of Swindon or not?? if you get my drift?!

:clap:
I'm here but not me. You're right, it's an absolute shithole. Going out in a bit to Rochester. Girl in the hotel said about a 'strip' of pubs and clubs. I'm not expecting a great night.

It's the bet of a bad bunch in Medway.

Just got in from Royal Bass after a few swift halves, and our lot going tomorrow are buzzing for it!

8 of us on the 8.27, few beers around London and out to Gillingham via Kings Cross around 11.30ish

Disappointed not have sold out 1400 despite the delay in ticket sales, still though a great effort by the 1300 going!

Lets celebrate and for any on the train en route back a few at a nice bar at Kings Cross on the way back (roof terrace and everything £2.95 a pint and £3 for a double mixer-laaaaaav it!)

C.O.Y.R!!!  :pint:

I went out in Maidstone after the 5-0 defeat ther. Was impressed with the standard of nice bars and the gash count was quite good.

Thats promising for my night out tonight then  ;D