Our Greatest XI feature continues as we ask for your favourite centre halves
The voting is open for fans to select their all-time favourite Gills centre-back!To celebrate the opening of Priestfield’s Legends Lounge, throughout the 2013/14 campaign, we’re asking fans to vote for what they consider to be their greatest all-time Gills XI.
Thanks to all our supporters that voted for their ultimate right-back last month, hundreds of you voted, the poll was our closest yet and we’ll be announcing the winner very soon.
Meanwhile voting is now open for the central defenders shirts which will be the next to be added to our Legends Lounge Wall of Fame.
Here’s our shortlist for Gillingham’s greatest centre-halves, or you can email your own suggestions to us by using media@priestfield.com
BARRY ASHBY
Barry Ashby in action for the Gills
Barry joined the Gills in 1997 from Division Two rivals Brentford, forming an instant partnership at the heart of defence with Guy Butters. He remained a virtual ever-present for eight seasons at Priestfield, starting both Wembley play-off finals and was a mainstay in the side that kept Gillingham in the Championship for five successive years.
JOHN OVERTON
John Overton
Signed from Aston Villa in 1976, after a handful of top flight appearances for the Villains, John was a midfielder when he arrived at the club but was converted to a central defender in his second season under Gerry Summers.
The switch proved a huge success as he was named Gillingham’s Player of the Year in 1977-78, and scored a total of 11 goals in 205 appearances for the club.
ALAN WALKER
Alan Walker
A defensive hard man, Alan Walker left Division One bound Millwall in 1987 to join Paul Taylor’s Gills, adding strength and steel to a struggling back four. He became a firm favourite with the Rainham End for his tough, uncompromising performances and memorably knocked himself unconscious scoring Gillingham’s consolation goal in the 2-1 Boxing Day derby defeat to Maidstone United.
You can watch Alan's recent exclusive interview with Gills Player here.
ADRIAN PENNOCK
Ade Pennock
Signed from AFC Bournemouth in 1996, Adrian was something of a joker and enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Gills supporters who frequently serenaded him with the chant, “He only scores own goals”.
As part of Peter Taylor’s three man central defensive unit with Butters and Ashby, Pennock captained Gillingham to play-off final success over Wigan at Wembley in May 2000.
COLIN GREENALL
Colin Greenall
Alongside some of the contenders for the centre-half shirt, Colin has made comparatively few appearances for the club, scoring nine times in just 80 league and cup appearances.
However he made a huge impact in his two seasons at Priestfield, helping the Gills to the Division three play-offs in 1986/87 and winning the club’s Player of the Year award in his second season.
GUY BUTTERS
Guy Butters
Another key member of the squad that took Gillingham to the Championship, Guy played in both Wembley play-off finals and was one of our penalty takers in the shoot-out defeat to Manchester City.
Signed from Portsmouth in 1996, he was a real threat from corners and set-pieces, scoring 17 goals in 193 games, ahead of a move to Brighton in 2002.
STEVE BRUCE
Steve Bruce
A graduate of the legendary Bill ‘Buster’ Collins youth set-up, Steve began his senior career as a central midfielder but soon dropped into the back-four, winning the Gills Player of the Year award in his first season, 1979-80.
After over 200 outings, in all competitions, he went on to enjoy nine seasons of success with Manchester United, three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1991.
DAVE SHIPPERLEY
Dave Shipperley
Recruited from Charlton Athletic in the summer of 1974, as Len Ashurst built a side to compete in Division Three, Dave helped the newly promoted Gills to a comfortable 10th place finish in their first campaign.
Having been appointed club captain, he went on to win the Gills Player of the Year Award in 75-76 and 76-77, and played 160 times before re-joining the Addicks in 1977.
CHRIS HOPE
Chris Hope
A summer signing by Andy Hessenthaler in July 2000, Chris was recruited from Scunthorpe United for a fee of £250,000 as the Gills prepared for life in the Championship.
One of the first names on Hessy’s team sheet each week, he clocked up a phenomenal 176 consecutive appearances over his first four seasons with the Gills and was named club captain for the 2005/06 season.
There are three ways for supporters to vote:
Via Twitter @TheGillsFC using the hashtag #GreatestCentreHalf
Via Facebook on GillinghamFootballClubOfficial comment using GreatestCentreHalf
Via email to media@priestfield.com subject title GreatestCentreHalf