ABOUT THE GILLINGHAM FC SUPPORTERS' CLUB
The Gillingham FC Supporters Club is a non-profit making, voluntary organisation, whose purpose is to represent Gillingham FC supporters in dealings with the club, and to provide a 'family based' organisation dedicated to giving Gillingham FC supporters, friendly, safe and cheaper away travel and social events.
The Executive Committee meet every six weeks, and meet club representatives every quarter, to discuss ways of moving the Gillingham FC Supporters Club forward, making membership value for money and raising funds for the Football Club.
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The Gillingham FC Supporters Club was launched in July 2023. Following discussions with new Gillingham FC owners, Brad and Shannon Galinson, and a members vote, it was agreed to change our name from the Gills Independent Supporters' Club to the Gillingham FC Supporters' Club. This allows us to work closer with Gillingham FC for the benefit of all supporters. The logo of the GISC was changed to:-
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The then Gills Supporters Club was formed in 1994, as the product of amalgamation between the Gillingham F.C. Blues Supporters Association, Gills Social Club and Gills Travel Club.
Former Gills chairman Bernard Baker and general manager Bill Williams were instrumental in getting all the parties around the same table.
Neil Klee is now chairman, and the committee meets for regular meetings and invites members to an AGM every year, which takes place prior to the first league game of each season.
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When Gillingham F.C. went into receivership in 1995, the Gills Supporters Club, as we were then called, instigated a public meeting at the Priestfield Stadium to rally support and keep the Gills alive.
Alan Liptrott and Mick Everitt hand over a cheque in 1995 (above).
Fundraising activities were arranged with thousands of pounds raised to keep the Gills in business. The Gills did survive thanks to businessman Paul Scally buying the club from ex owner Tony Smith.
The day Paul Scally took control the GISC handed over five thousand pounds to Stevenage for Leo Fortune-West (below). Leo went onto be top scorer for Gillingham as they gained promotion to Division Two in the 1995-96 season.
Gills benefactor, the late Tony Smith, was the GSC President. We organise away travel to all Gills matches, work with Gillingham FC on specific projects as well as maintaining a website, Facebook and Twitter pages for Gills fans all over the world.
The Previous Gills Supporters Club badge
In July 2001 the membership of the Gills Supporters Club voted to change the name to "The Gills Independent Supporters Club." This was to prevent fans getting confused between this club and any official Priestfield club.
At an executive committee meeting on Thursday 30th September 2001, it was decided that the GSC will be known as the Gillingham Independent Supporters Club from then on.
Since 2001 the Gillingham FC Supporters' Club have tried to forge links with the parent club. With the arrival of Brad and Shannon Galinson, this has vastly improved.
We regularly sponsor players and we are delighted to sponsor Jayden Clarke for the 2023/24 season.
We now concentrate on fundraising, social events, providing a communication funnel from supporters to the football club, and trying to help GFC and it’s supporters wherever possible.
Why not join the Gillingham FC Supporters Club today?
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Who can join the Gillingham FC Supporters' Club?
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Anyone is welcome to become a member of the Gillingham FC Supporters Club. To join visit the membership page.
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What benefits do I receive from joining the Gillingham FC Supporters' Club?
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By joining you will receive a number of exclusive benefits. These include occasional commemorative merchandise (Pin badges free of charge to members), discounted away travel, free membership to the Football Supporters Federation, free entry to the Brasenose Club (located in Nelson Road, Gillingham) before and after every home game access to social events. Full details can be viewed here.
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How can I pay for my Gillingham FC Supporters' Club membership?
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Membership can be paid online using our secure server in partnership with PayPal, or by including a cheque with your completed membership form in the post. For full details please visit the membership page.
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Can I travel to away games on the Gillingham FC Supporters' Club coach?
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Members and non-members are very welcome to book onto the coach to away games. Members receive up to £2 discount per game on away travel. For further details please see the Away Travel page.
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Can I take alcohol, food and drink onto the Gillingham FC Supporters' Club coach to an away game?
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You are more than welcome to bring your own food and soft drink onto the coach. Alcohol is banned by law on all supporters coaches. Anyone found with it will be ask to dispose of it and be banned from future away games on all Gills coach services.
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Who can attend the Gillingham FC Supporters' Club quiz night?
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The quiz night takes place on the third monday of each month, starting at 8.00pm in the Brasenose Club, Nelson Road, Gillingham. Both members and non-members are very welcome to attend. The cost is £2 per player with teams of up to 6 players allowed. All profit made goes towards the Away Travel coach operation. Further details can be viewed here.
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Do you run end of season events?
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In previous seasons we have run the Gills Legends Evening, which has seen a number of previous Gillingham players return to for an evening of nostalgia, as well as the announcement of the Gillingham FC Supporters' Club player of the season awards. Members will be notified of events via email / post.
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Can I vote in the Player of the Season awards?
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Only members can vote in the end of season awards. The Player of the Year award is the original award which has been given to the likes of Steve Bruce, Tony Cascarino and Bob Taylor. It is strictly one vote per member. We present the Player of the Year, Mark Agate Young Player of the Year, Away Player of the Year and Supporter of the Year awards. A full list of previous winners, from 1979 to the current day, can be viewed here.
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Can I join the Gillingham FC Supporters' Club Executive Committee?
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We are always looking for new committee members. We meet once every 6 weeks to keep the supporters' club running smoothly. If you are interested please contact us on info@GillinghamFCSupportersClub.co.uk.
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Can I advertise my business, or an event, on the Gillingham FC Supporters' Club website?
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Our site is popular among supporters of the Gills because of the away travel facilities, our discussion and news publications. We would be happy to include your business advert on our site for a small fee, which of course would be tax deductible. Please contact us for details.
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The current Gillingham FC Supporters' Club Committee consists of:-
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Honorary President - Robert "Super Bob" Taylor
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Honorary President - Val Smith
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Neil Klee - Chairman
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Margaret Agate - Vice Chairwoman
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Danial Pratt - Club Secretary
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Linda Ward - Membership Secretary
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David Garth - Media Officer - Media@GillinghamFCSupportersClub.co.uk
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Keith Pestell - Website and Social Media Editor
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Simon Cordier - Car Park Coordinator / Committee Member
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Darren Smart - Committee Member
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Minutes of our committee meetings, and meetings with the club, can be viewed here.
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The fund raising to keep the Gills alive was well worth it, as the following season the Gills, led by Tony Pulis, went onto gain promotion from the bottom division.
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The video below tells the incredible story.
