Local team pop by to check up on Gills pre-season preparations
Pre-season is a busy time of year at football clubs up and down the country. With all the running, running and more running, it is often a period of quietude, where players and management get their heads down in preparation for another long season.
Not at Priestfield Stadium, with renovation works taking place, new faces were floating in and out the club on a regular basis. Old friends and new guests visiting the home of Kent football to get an insight into all the work going on to ensure Gills were primed for a successful season in Sky Bet League One.
On Monday 27th August a very special group were welcomed to the club, as Herne Bay Youth Deaf team visited Gillingham FC by invitation of the chairman.
Greeted by the club’s staff, a tour of over 30 was guided around all the club’s facilities, taking a peak behind the scenes at the football club.
From the club’s Great Hall to its Executive Boxes, the player’s changing rooms to the Manager’s Office. The young team enjoyed a day to remember before enjoying their lunch in the Player’s Lounge.
The first team squad ate lunch with the team and hung around to sign programmes, shirts and other memorabilia, before taking photos with their young fans.
Sally Laker, Club Secretary at Herne Bay Youth, thanked the club for arranging the visit.
"What an amazing time we had visiting Gillingham FC and so inspiring for our children. The aim of our Deaf children's football club is to not only help deaf children learn the rules of football but to enable them to meet and make friends with other deaf children in a fun and friendly environment.”
“Football is such a great way to learn how to play as a team and to learn some important social skills for the playground, where it is often hard for deaf children to feel included. We are so grateful to all the Gillingham Staff for making today such a memorable day for us"
Gillingham FC Manager Justin Edinburgh added;
“We were delighted to welcome the young players from Herne Bay Youth to the stadium. It’s important for us to engage with clubs in the county like this. I was really pleased to hear everyone’s feedback when I met them in the Player’s Lounge at lunch. There were plenty of smiling faces and it was a delight to see so many happy Gills fans.”