The Dugout Diaries: Gills v Swindon

Welcome back to the diaries, and a belated Happy New Year to you all. It’s nice to be back.

Last weekend was a bit depressing as it’s the first time for several years that I have not had an FA Cup match to go to. The old cup, for me, still is the greatest domestic competition in the world, and it was nice to see so many great games.

The first game back at Priestfield in 2006 was one that many of the older contingents in the crowd were relishing: Swindon.

The game also saw the return of two old Gills favourites: Iffy Onoura and Paul Smith. Iffy had signed Smudge the night before.

Iffy took up a vantage point behind the away dugout in order to get a better view of proceedings. Smudge started on the bench. It didn’t take long for Iffy to move down to the technical area. His Swindon boys were a shambles. Iffy was cursing a couple of minutes later as Evans the Swindon keeper dropped the ball for Byfield to pounce for the first goal. Ronnie was up and “high fived” Bobby Patterson. He continued to bark orders, predominantly to the defenders to push up, as towards the end of the half the Gills were inviting Swindon to attack. Thankfully nothing came of it, and the half time whistle went.

Smudge can on at the beginning of the second half to a mixture of applause and boos from the home crowd. The boos mostly emanated from the usual Waldorfs and Statlers in the Medway Stand.

Ronnie seemed to have the players on remote control. As the ball was crossed for a corner, Ronnie imitated a header, and Crofts on the pitch mirrored his boss’ action… unfortunately over the bar.

“How the fook did he miss that? All he had to do was touch it!” exclaimed Ronnie.

Some great work by Danny Spiller created an opportunity for Flynny to grab a second goal. Ronnie was up shaking his fists with joy. He turned to the director’s box, where he exchanged a salute with newsreader Geoff Clarke.

Darren Byfield seemed to be getting abuse from the Swindon crowd for a little niggle at a Swindon defender while awaiting a corner. It looked like it was getting a little volatile down at that end of the ground. The ball went out for another corner. The guy taunting Bye Byes jumped out of his seat, and was immediately tacked by a steward who bundled him down the tunnel to the Town End exit.

The bench were getting a bit worried that Bye Byes would be sent off, so quickly got Gavin Grant stripped for action. Bye Byes came off with a face like thunder. Flynny hurried him on his way. Ronnie smiled and gave him a big bear hug. What a touching moment. The corner was taken, and found it’s way through to Neil Harris to tap in.

Poor Iffy looked crestfallen. Full time came soon after. Both Iffy and Smudge went to the Rainham End of the pitch to get the applause of the crowd; boy did they milk it! Stayed out there longer than the Gills players.

What occurred after the game was nothing short of disgraceful. There were unfortunately small elements amongst both crowds that caused this to happen.

I don’t like getting on the soapbox, but we have to look at ourselves as well. There was an incident near the end of the MK Dons game, when a “fan” from D block walked up to the side of the away dugout and started abusing the substitutes. There was a steward sitting close by who did nothing to prevent this. There is no easy answer to how to deal with this type of behaviour. All I ask fellow fans to do is name and shame these people for the sake of the club.

Rant over.. 3 points in the bag….. bring on Oldham and our first away win of the season!!!

Until next time… Doug out!