Hi, Doug here…. 
Welcome back to the first Dugout Diary for the new season! How good it felt on Saturday morning pulling on the new shirt for the first time. A cloudy start to the day gave way to glorious sunshine by the time I took my seat at the ground.
Having missed all the pre-season games, this was my first opportunity to see Neale Cooper take charge of a game.
FIRST HALF
A smart suited Cooper takes his position in the home dugout, and my first impression is that Richard Hill has come back to haunt us. Could I be about to go through another season having water bottles kicked at me when we concede?! I do hope not!
There is a disabled striker resting on the wall of the dugout. Have to wonder if it’s there in anticipation of any further injuries to the squad. The team selection today has certainly raised some eyebrows. Hess is starting in midfield, and Spiller is up front! New signing Paul Shields takes his place on the bench, and someone mentions he resemblance to Phil Neville. It’s a day of look-a-likes today!
The game gets off to a scrappy start with
Off the field, a supporter in F block goes over to complain to physio Simon Webster that he is impeding his view of the game saying how he doesn’t pay “x amount of money” to look at the back of his head.
The game is a bit of a stalemate. You can hear a pin drop in the ground.
SECOND HALF
In the first half, Phil Parkinson had taken a seat up in the Medway Stand to get a better view of proceedings. Now he is back down in the dugout. Obviously someone told him how much it would have cost him if he stayed sitting there.
On 50 minutes
One of the most annoying habits of supporters in the vicinity of the dugout are those who think they are the manager. Only 55 minutes into the game and they’re off again, calling for substitutions after the
Because soon after the substitutions, and a good bit of build up play, Spiller crosses the ball from the right and Crofts heads in!
Cooper, Ronnie and Simon Webster are up hugging and dancing. Cooper goes an unhealthy shade of crimson. Either it’s joy, or Ronnie is squeezing him too hard! It’s obviously joy as 15 minutes later when Byfield slots home the winner, the crimson face lights up again all by itself! And there you have it: 2-1!
Cooper has got through his first competitive game with a victory. He comes across as a commanding figure in the dugout. His banter with the bench is like that of a real football fan “That was never a free kick!” He seems to be developing a good understanding with Ronnie and lets him share the role dishing out the tactics. I’m looking forward to seeing how he develops in the role over the coming season.
Before I go, I’ll leave you with my heckle of the day:
Phil Parkinson was attempting to attract Mr Joslin’s attention after a decision goes the way of the Gills:
Phil: Ref… Ref… Ref… Ref... Ref….Ref… Ref
E block comedian: Are you a f*ckin’ dog Parkinson?!
See you at the
Doug… out!