Management welcome pairing for behind the scenes experience
Two supporters were lucky enough last week to enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience at MEMS Priestfield with Wayne Cripps and Rob Maddams being the two gentleman to cash in a prize they won earlier in the season.
The pair got the chance to spend the day with Martin Allen, his coaching staff and the players, and both were grateful for their warm welcome and for being involved in everything that was carried out during their stay at the club.
Wayne said: “I won the prize at the Take Heart Dinner and it was to spend a day in the life of the Manager, so we spent the first part of the day in Martin’s office going over the tactics for what they were going to do for the Dagenham game.
“He talked us through the reasons why he picked the team and he then took us in to the restaurant where we ate breakfast with the players.
“We went down to Beechings Cross, did a bit of training with the lads which was interesting and then back to Priestfield where we had lunch.
“After that we had a tour around the players’ facilities with Carl Muggleton.
“It was fantastic, I have been a Gillingham supporter all my life and it was a brilliant experience.
“I was very impressed with how open and relaxed Martin was and it felt it was genuinely what happened day to day and he wasn’t saying things that he wouldn’t say if I wasn’t there.
“Martin called me `Giggsy` aswell which will live with me for the rest of my life now.”
Rob added: “He involved us as much as he could which was great.
“I’ll be sitting on the bench for the Accrington game too so that will be interesting. Just to see the other side of the bits you don’t normally see was great and I got to speak to the people you watch every Saturday.
“There were a few players that came over and introduced themselves – Chris Whelpdale, Charlie Lee and Andy Frampton were all very nice.
“The only person we didn’t see was probably the chef!
“Not many people know what goes on day to day at the club and I appreciate it a lot with what I experienced and Martin Allen was brilliant on the day, along with his coaching staff.”