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Ground Name:
KRBS Priestfield Stadium |
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| Contents | |
| What's The Ground
Like? Future Developments Rainham End (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Drink? Gordon Road Stand (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train By Official Coach Medway Stand (photo) Local Rivals Admission Prices Brain Moore Stand (photo) Programme & Fanzine Disabled Facilities Ground Layout Fixtures 2007-2008 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu |
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| What's The Ground Like? | |
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Priestfield Stadium has been
virtually re-built since the current Chairman Paul Scally took over in
1995. On one side of the ground is the impressive two tiered, Medway Stand,
opened
in 2000, with a row of executive boxes (the type
which you can sit outside of) running across the middle. Opposite is the
tidy all seater
Gordon Road Stand. Unfortunately though, it contains a number of supporting pillars, which may hinder your view.
This also has an unusual TV gantry perched on its roof.
The Rainham End, has also been re-developed, with a single tier
cantilevered stand,
which replaced a former terrace. It is an open all seated
'temporary stand' has been erected on what was the
former Gillingham End terrace, it is hoped that this will be replaced with
a permanent 3,200 seated stand at some point.
This stand has been named the Brian Moore Stand in memory of the legendary
commentator and lifelong Gills fan. |
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| Future Developments | |
| The Club have recently announced that they embarking on a joint feasibility study with Medway Council, to look at possible suitable sites for a new stadium. If the Club were to move then Priestfield would be re-developed for housing. | |
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Thanks to Richard Hooper for supplying three photos for this page. |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Away fans are housed in part of the Brian Moore Stand where around 1,500 supporters can be accommodated. Like last season the stand is of the temporary variety i.e. the type that you would see around the 18th hole at the British Open Golf Championship, although it is of a good size and height, plus the views of the playing action are fine. Unlike most temporary stands though the facilities are surprisingly good, being of a permanent nature behind the stand. However it is uncovered, so although the Club hand out free rain macs if it rains, still be prepared to get wet! One unusual aspect of visiting Priestfield Stadium is that away supporters have to walk down a very narrow terraced street to reach the away entrance, or if coming from adjacent streets down very tight alley ways. However, there is never normally any problems with this although after the game the Police sometimes close of some of the surrounding streets to keep fans apart. | |
| Where To Drink? | |
| The ground is walkable from the town centre, where there
are a fair few pubs to be found. Paul Kelly a visiting
Preston fan adds; 'we have used the 'Will Adams' in the town centre. The pub
is in the good beer guide and does good cheap food. Plus a very friendly
crowd of football locals happy to indulge in friendly banter - the
landlord is a Gill fan too!' Robert Donaldson recommends the 'Southern
Belle' opposite the railway station, which also has a cafe located next
door. Robert Phipps a Gillingham supporter recommends 'The Ship' public
house on the Lower Rainham Road. Away fans though should avoid 'The
Cricketers' in Sturdee Avenue. Michelle Dixon, the landlady of the 'Livingstone Arms' on Gillingham Road informs me; 'Our pub is known as an "Away Supporters" pub and is situated approximately 100 yards from the away turnstiles. The atmosphere within the pub is both warm and friendly and there is even complimentary bar food laid on for fans. Otherwise you can purchase a hot pie with your pint, or visit the local chip shop, situated across the road.' This pub which also has a beer garden, is popular with both away and home supporters and as you would expect it gets rather busy on matchdays. |
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| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park | |
| Leave the M2 at Junction 4 and take the A278 towards
Gillingham, going straight across two roundabouts. At the 3rd roundabout turn left onto
the A2 towards Gillingham town centre. At the
traffic light junction with the A231, turn right into Nelson Road and
passing the small bus
station take a right turn into Gillingham Road, the ground is down on your
right.
Alternatively Roger Blackman provides an alternative route from the M2; 'At the start of the M2 keep left and follow A289 towards Gillingham. Continue towards Gillingham and go through through the Medway Tunnel (Priestfield Stadium is signposted from here). Continue on the A289 ignoring the turn off for Gillingham town centre, until you reach the Strand roundabout after about a mile. Turn right at this roundabout and up the hill and over the level crossing. Take the second left past the level crossing into Linden Road and the ground is along this road on the right'. There is a residents only parking scheme in operation around the ground, so if you want to street park, this will mean driving a bit further away to do so. Chris Bell a visiting Northampton Town fan adds; 'There is a cheap pay and display car park (£1 for 3 hours) on Railway Street near Gillingham station, which is less than 10 mins walk from the ground'. For a map showing the location of the ground click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. |
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| By Train | |
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The ground is about a ten
minute walk away from
Gillingham railway
station, which is served by trains from London
Victoria (every 15mins) and Charing Cross (Every 30mins). Robert Donaldson provides the following
directions; 'Turn left out of the station and follow
the road until you come to a crossroads. Go straight on into Priestfield
Road. The visitors turnstiles are at the far end of
Priestfield Road. Allow ten minutes to get from the station and into the
ground'.
To get to the home areas, turn right at the crossroads and then first left into Gordon Road for the Gillingham End Terrace home area, the Gordon Road Stand and the Rainham End. For the Medway Stand or an alternative route to the Rainham End, turn left at the crossroads and then first right. At the far end the road turns right and then left. |
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| By Official Coach | |
| Robert Donaldson adds; 'If you arrive by official coach the Police will escort the coach to a bus park, a ten minute walk from the ground. To get there, walk from the parking area to the main road, turn left and follow this road until you come to Gillingham Road. Turn right and follow this until you come to the crossroads mentioned above, only this time Priestfield Road is on the left'. | |
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| Local Rivals | |
| With a lack of other league clubs in the area, Gillingham fans have focused on Millwall. | |
| Admission Prices | |
| Home Fans*: KM Medway Stand (Upper Tier Wing): Adults £23, OAP's £19, Under 21's £16, Under 16's £12 KM Medway Stand (Lower Tier Centre): Adults £25, No Concessions KM Medway Stand (Lower Tier Wings): Adults £23, OAP's £19, Under 21's £16, Under 16's £12 Gordon Road Stand (Centre): Adults £25, OAP's £21, Under 21's £16, Under 16's £12 Gordon Road Stand (Wings): Adults £23, OAP's £19, Under 21's £16, Under 16's £12 Rainham End: Adults £23, OAP's £19, Under 21's £16, Under 16's £12 Brian Moore Stand:Adults £20, OAP's £15, Under 21's £14, Under 16's £12 Away Fans*: Brian Moore Stand: Adults £20, OAP's £15, Under 21's £14, Under 16's £12 * Please note that discounts of up to £3 per ticket are available if the ticket is purchased prior to matchday. |
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Thanks to Pete Wilson for supplying the above photo. |
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| Programme & Fanzine | |
| Official Programme: £2.50 Brian Moore's Head Fanzine: £1.50 |
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| Disabled Facilities | |
| For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. | |
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| Fixtures 2007-2008 | |
| For the Gillingham fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website) | |
| Record & Average Attendance | |
| 23,002 v Queens Park Rangers, FA Cup 3rd Round, January 10th, 1948. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 11,418 v West Ham United Division One, September 20th, 2003. Average Attendance: 2006-2007: 6,282 (League One) 2005-2006: 6,665 (League One) 2004-2005: 8,528 (Championship League) |
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| Fans Reviews Of Priestfield Stadium | |
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Henry
Willard (Yeovil Town) 15/10/05 Lee Roberts (Doing The 92) 10/2/01 |
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| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Gillingham page click here. | |
| Feedback | |
| If anything is incorrect or you have something to add,
please e-mail me and I'll
update
the guide. |
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