Past Times: Part 11 - The Toon Army come to Priestfield!

Last updated : 09 August 2005 By Symon Chaplin

Having finished 15th the previous season I was looking forward to 76-77. I felt that with a few signings we were ready to make a promotion challenge.

We did, in fact, start quite well taking 15 points (still 2 for a win) from our first ten games.


It was early in the season, Saturday 4th September 1976, when something rather unusual happened to me on the way to our home game with Northampton Town. I left my house, in Fleet Road, Rochester, at my usual time of 1.00pm and walked down to the bottom of Star Hill where I would meet my friend, Dave, who travelled from Strood. Our usual routine would then be to walk to the Pentagon Centre in Chatham and catch a bus to the game.


However, just after we had started on the journey into Chatham, a coach stopped alongside us. Our blue and white scarves had obviously been spotted and a suit wearing gentleman climbed out of the coach and asked, “Are you going to the Gillingham game?”


We replied, “Of course we are”


The response to which was, “Get on then lads, you can show us the way!”


My immediate thought was that we would get a lift right to the ground, it was only when we took our seats did we realise that it was in fact the Northampton Town team coach!


If I remember rightly, ex Man Utd player Paddy Crerand was the Cobblers’ manager at the time and he spent the short journey asking Dave and I which Gills’ players his team should look out for. Obviously, not wishing to give anything away, we gave him the names of the players that we didn’t rate! It didn’t work, though, as the game finished in a 1-1 draw. Danny Westwood scored one of the luckiest goals seen at Priestfield when a clearance from the Northampton ‘keeper hit Danny on the knee and rebounded straight back into the goal!


This was the one and only time that I had travelled to a game in the opposition’s team coach. I don’t think it will ever happen again, but for some reason since then I have always had something of a soft spot for Northampton Town!


In December, the inevitable happened, when club captain and Gills’ best player, Dick Tydeman was sold to Charlton Athletic for a then record fee of £65,000. The majority of the money went to reduce the club’s overdraft so that it was back inside its limit of £25,000. (How times change!)


It did, however, allow Summers to sign Terry Nicholl, John Crabbe and Ken Price who all went on to serve the Gills well over the next few seasons.

Despite our promising start, a dreadful run of results including 6 defeats in a row towards the end of the year meant that we went into 1977 just 2 points above the relegation zone.


Goalkeeper Ron Hillyard and striker Damien Richardson had both been dropped after falling out with manager Gerry Summers but were recalled to the team for the away game at York City on Saturday 8th January 1977. Together with the new signings they helped us achieve a 2-2 draw as we embarked on a 7 match unbeaten run.


The rest of the season turned out to be consistently inconsistent and we eventually finished 12th. Not what I had hoped for, but, an improvement on the previous season.


In the cup competitions we were knocked out by Watford by the only goal in the First Round of the FA Cup whilst the League Cup provided some excitement.


In the 1st round we were drawn against 4th division Aldershot. The first leg was away and I travelled with Dave to one of my favourite lower division away grounds. It really was a dump but for some reason I fell in love with the place.
You entered the ground through turnstiles which looked more like old fashioned wooden bus shelters to be greeted by flower beds. As you neared the pitch you became aware of a large fence behind one of the goals.

Aldershot didn’t have a hooligan problem (in fact they were some of the friendliest supporters I had encountered), the fence was there purely to stop wayward shots ending up in the High Street! There was also the Railway line running directly behind one of the stands which used to shake whenever a train went by. It really was like no other ground I’ve been to. I wonder what it’s like today.


The match ended 1-1 with centre half Dave Galvin claiming our goal. A crowd of 4,862 attended the 2nd leg which the Gills won easily 2-0. (Richardson 2, 1 pen). Not only did Damien grab both the goals he was also involved in a farcical incident late in the game. Aldershot had just brought on their substitute (only one allowed back then) and Damien decided to take the ball to the corner flag and waste time. The Shots’ sub took offence to this and his first contribution to the game was to kick Damien up into the air making no attempt to play the ball. He was immediately sent off having not touched the ball and being on the field of play for less than 60 seconds! For some reason since this incident and the novelty of the Recreation Ground I also have a soft spot for Aldershot!


The 2nd round draw was awaited and the wonderful news was that we would be playing the once mighty Newcastle United. Yes, the Toon Army were coming to Priestfield! A disappointing attendance of only 11,203 saw us give them a good game which we lost by the odd goal in three.


Wednesday 1st September 1976

Football League Cup 2nd Round

Gillingham 1-2 Newcastle United (HT 0-1)

Scorer : Weatherly


Gills: Cawston, Brindley, Spearitt, Galvin, Shipperley, Tydeman, Knight, Overton, Richardson, Westwood, Durrell (Weatherly)


Damien Richardson again finished top scorer with 16 (7 pens) despite his falling out with the boss.


The following season promised much – would the team finally be good enough to fight for promotion to the Promised Land of division 2. Only time would tell!


(Next time: “Pompey Relegated to Division 4 & So Near but Yet So Far!)