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Key Information about Priestfield Stadium

Priestfield Stadium has been the home ground of Gillingham FC since it was built and opened in 1893. The stadium is located in the South East county of Kent, and it holds 11,582 spectators.

The all-seater ground comprises four famous stands; the Medway Stand, the Gordon Road Stand, the Brian Moore Stand (away supporters), and Rainham End.

A history of Priestfield Stadium

Gillingham Football Club, formerly known as New Brompton, moved into Priestfield Stadium in 1893, though it is unclear as to whether or not the ground was named after the road it was built on or whether the Priestfield Road was named after the stadium. The ground was officially named Priestfield Road until 1947 due to this mysterious question.

A record attendance at Priestfield Stadium was set in 1924 when 19,472 spectators watched the FA Cup tie against First Division frontrunners Cardiff City, and it was not until 1948 that this record was smashed by just over 23,000 spectators filling out the stadium to watch the Gills take on Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup once again.

Priestfield Stadium had not changed much until chairman Paul Scally arrived at the Gills. The most notable change came during the 1950s when the Town End was extended. One of the newest redevelopments of the ground was in 1997 when the brand new 2,600 all-seater Gordon Road Stand was built as part of a £2.2m refurbishment.

The Rainham End was demolished following the end of the 1998-99 season, subsequently, work began on providing a new all-seater stand which would house 2,400 fans with no visual restrictions as well as new catering and toilet facilities for home supporters. The redevelopment of the stand was completed in the summer ready for the start of the new 1999-00 campaign.

The Town End terrace was demolished in 2003-04 as it made way for the new Brian Moore Stand which was named after former Gillingham director and ITV football commentator. The brand new stand now holds a capacity of around 3,400, albeit for uncovered seats. In February 2016, the refurbished Blues Rock Cafe reopened as the Factory bar and restaurant which offers fans with hot food and drinks along with a number of brand new HD screens to watch live football.

Tickets to Watch Gillingham at Priestfield Stadium

Season tickets for the current season stand at £300 to £405 for adults, depending on the chosen stand. Senior citizens can purchase a season ticket from £265 to £335, in addition, under-18s/students can attend every home game at Priestfield Stadium for a fixed price of £125 no matter which stand is desired.

This is the same case for under-12s who can purchase a season ticket for just £30. Adult matchday tickets range from £24-27, senior tickets cost £21, and under-18s/students/under-12s can all attend for just £9 per game.

Related Links

https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/ – Official website of Gillingham FC

Federico Fernandez was an unsung hero as Newcastle United drew 2-2 in the Premier League against David Moyes’ West Ham United at St. James’ Park, having to come from behind not once but twice through goals from Miguel Almiron and Jonjo Shelvey.

However, it was the display of Fernandez at the back that made sure that the Tyneside club earned a quite valuable point in the end, as it means that it is now mathematically impossible for them to be relegated from the top flight on 43 points, 16 clear of the drop zone with just five games left to play.

Steve Bruce’s team faced 17 shots on their goal in the game, as Fernandez was instrumental in making sure that the Hammers were limited to just two goals on the day.

The central defender won eight out of his total duels, whilst also making six clearances and blocking two shots, the highest out of his teammates, according to Sofascore.

Fernandez was also important in keeping the ball and moving it forward, as the Magpies managed to record 57 per cent possession, with Jamaal Lascelles’ centre-back partner taking 81 touches and having an 88 per cent passing accuracy, as per the website.

With performances like these, it would arguably be hard for Bruce to drop him for the remaining matches of the 2019/20 season, as the Toon still have Manchester City, Watford, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool left to play.

Having been knocked out of the FA Cup to City, NUFC will be hoping to end the campaign on a high and possibly achieve a top-half finish.

Geordies, was Fernandez an unsung hero versus the Hammers? Comment below!

Rangers kicked off the new season in style as they ground out a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Aberdeen on Saturday.

Steven Gerrard’s side took home all three points thanks to a first-half strike from Ryan Kent, and earned an impressive clean sheet in large part down to Leon Balogun.

The 32-year-old made his debut for the Gers after joining the club from Wigan earlier this summer, and looked every inch a smart signing by Ross Wilson and co.

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He won 100% of the duels that he contested (three on the ground and six in the air), made three clearances and blocked one shot too – and that’s not to mention him clattering head-first into the post too.

And after seeing his display, Rangers fans took to Twitter to share their reactions.

A couple of Rangers fans thought Balogun’s performance reminded them of former powerhouse Madjid Bougherra.

Another Rangers supporter seemed to be even more impressed with the defender, even calling for him to be given the captain’s armband.

If his debut is anything to go by, then Rangers might have made one of the smartest signings of the summer.

Having been thrown into the deep end away at Pittodrie, Balogun dealt with everything with superbly, not shirking a challenge and putting his head where it hurts – quite literally at times too when he knocked into that post.

Gerrard will have been delighted by his centre-back’s commanding performance.

Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has revealed that he is unsure of securing a return for Birmingham City’s Steve Seddon this summer.

The 22-year-old arrived at Fratton Park during the January transfer window, sealing a short term loan deal from the Championship side.

Helping Pompey to a play-off place, the left-back was involved in the League One play-off semi-final which ended in defeat against Oxford United, thus ending the club’s chances of gaining promotion to the Championship.

Making 12 appearances in England’s third tier with Portsmouth, Seddon made a good impression, netting two goals and gaining one assist despite being a defender by trade.

However, a potential permanent deal or second loan has become a difficult one with The News reporting that Jackett’s side are not in a position financially to pursue a move.

Valued at £135,000 by Transfermarkt, Seddon’s future has now been discussed by his former temporary boss.

He told The News: ‘We would need and do want a new left-back. We are working towards having two specialist left-backs for next season.

‘We haven’t got anyone else in the squad with the experience other than Lee.‘Steve Seddon has obviously gone back and is a Birmingham player now.‘I don’t know what the circumstances are with them, but there are a number of players we are working towards and considering.‘By the start of the season, getting two specialist left-backs is something we will look to do.’

Seddon made a good impression at Portsmouth and he would be a superb permanent signing this summer, but finances and the salary cap introduction from the English Football League are making deals like this one very hard to pull off.

Whether or not a loan deal could be agreed does not seem to be mentioned in the reports over the last few weeks, but you would have to think that would be put forward.

Do you think Seddon could return to Portsmouth? Let us know in the comments section below…

With the arrival of highly-rated David Turnbull to the squad, it suddenly seems like Celtic have far too many midfielders in their squad. For that reason, coach Neil Lennon is open to making some necessary cuts for the ongoing 2020/21 Scottish Premier League season.

One of the players who were all set to leave Celtic Park in the immediate future was Tom Rogic. But now, according to the latest reports from The Scottish Sun, he could be staying at the club for a while longer.

Rogic was supposed to move to Qatar in a £4m deal but the negotiations have stalled ever since and if the same outlet is to be believed, the move is now on the brink of collapse.

Of course, the 27-year-old is still likely to leave the Scottish giants but not to join a lower-tier league such as the one in the Middle East. For that reason, he might wait for a better offer that would also allow him to continue playing in Europe.

As far as Lennon is concerned, however, and seeing how Rogic still has three years left on his contract, the Hoops wouldn’t exactly be opposed to their star staying at the club when everything is said and done.

It will largely depend on the player’s wishes and the direction in which he wants his career to move from this point onward. He was so close to leaving but nothing seems set in stone just yet.

Only time will tell.

Verdict

Rogic became one of the Bhoys after completing a bargain £400,000 move from Central Coast Mariners all the way back in 2013. Needless to say, he’s been a great servant to their badge and at 27 years of age, still has a lot to offer.

For that reason, maybe this fresh twist in the story does have a silver lining after all. Keeping Rogic in the squad is not the worst thing that can happen to the Hoops.

Emerging reports linking West Ham with a new defensive target this summer should be a cause for concern…

What’s the word?

According to the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Hammers boss David Moyes is keen to bring relegated Bournemouth right-back Adam Smith to the London Stadium in order to bolster his backline.

It’s claimed that the Scot is after a new right-back, but one that can also play on the opposite side, and that’s why the 29-year-old is deemed as an ideal option.

Whilst it still remains to be seen how much the Cherries starter would command in any potential deal, Transfermarkt value him at just £6.3m.

GSB all over

Although Moyes is credited with interest, this swoop reeks of being the perfect choice for GSB as he’ll come on the cheap and isn’t going to be the marquee signing that many are longing for in east London.

He wouldn’t be much of an upgrade either – he’s never been capped internationally and was part of the Bournemouth side that were relegated from the Premier League last season.

During the 2019 season, the 29-year-old did manage to silence the likes of Felipe Anderson and Michail Antonio, winning both games against the Irons but that’s not convincing enough to suggest he’d be a good option.

Per WhoScored, Smith managed just one assist all season and averaged two tackles, two clearances and 0.3 crosses per game, which are all fewer than what current first-choice right-back Ryan Fredericks managed.

Having sold Grady Diangana to West Brom much to the fans and even their skipper’s surprise, GSB simply cannot look to spend the funds on a player like this.

They ought to use the money to bring in a big name or promising talent that’ll bring excitement back to the London Stadium.

A swoop for Smith has to simply be a no-go.

AND in other news, West Ham make 6 foot 1 colossus their number ONE target…

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho wants to keep Ryan Sessegnon at the club this season and will veto any potential loan offers for the youngster.

That is according to a report from Football Insider, which claimed that the Spurs boss has earmarked a bigger role in the side for the 20-year-old in the upcoming campaign.

Newcastle, Ajax and his former club Fulham had all been linked with potential loan moves for the left-sided player in recent weeks.

Tottenham signed Sessegnon from fellow capital club Fulham in a £25m deal (as per BBC) but his first season with Spurs has been a difficult one, with only 12 appearances in all competitions and having to bear the brunt of criticism from some supporters over some unconvincing performances.

While he has so far cost £2.08m per appearance, the youngster’s cause was not helped by a hamstring injury which prevented him from making his Spurs debut until November, at which time he was still a teenager.

Although Sessegnon had only a fraction of the game-time that he enjoyed in the two previous seasons at Fulham, he still performed better for several metrics last term in comparison to his time at Craven Cottage. His match averages for tackles won (one to 0.6), clearances made (1.7 to 1.1) and passes per game (26.5 to 19.6) all improved in 2019/20 compared to the previous term, as did his passing success rate (77.4% to 73.4%). [via WhoScored]

Also, Mourinho is not awash with trusted left-back options in his current squad. Ben Davies played in just 18 league games last season, missing three months of the campaign with an ankle injury, while Danny Rose has returned from a loan spell at Newcastle and is someone who Spurs are reportedly keen to offload, according to The Guardian.

Sessegnon’s first season at Tottenham did not go as he or the club would have wanted but, at 20, he still has more than enough time to come good on the promise which convinced Spurs to shell out £25m for him as a teenager.

Mourinho, who hasn’t been afraid to publicly castigate young players in the past, seems to want the ex-Fulham man in his side for 2020/21, and that show of faith ought to inspire the youngster to justify his manager’s belief in him and prove that last season was a mere aberration.

Tottenham fans, is this the season that Sessegnon comes good in a Spurs shirt? Join in the discussion by commenting below!

Chelsea’s Carabao Cup hopes have come to an end after Spurs edged them out of the competition on penalties last night. 

The Blues took the lead through Timo Werner in the first half but couldn’t make any further chances count. Jose Mourinho’s side were able to batten down the hatches and wait until their opportunity to strike.

Indeed, their patient game paid off and Spurs were able to force the equaliser deep into the second half through Erik Lamela. Despite Chelsea fielding Ben Chilwell, Timo Werner and Edouard Mendy, it wasn’t enough to see them into the quarter-finals.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has criticised Frank Lampard’s defence and has admitted it’s a big problem within the team.

“So poor a goal to concede, Emerson [Palmieri] has time to run back and make it a four,” the former Blue told Sky Sports (via football.london). “[Kurt] Zouma also should have got the ball but it happens time and time again with Chelsea with individual mistakes.”

Despite spending about £250million on new signings, Chelsea have won just two out of their last five fixtures. A defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League has also put them on the back foot early in what could’ve been a close title race.

“He has the time. You smell danger but it’s like he goes through the motions and jogs back,” Hasselbaink continued on Palmieri. “He doesn’t see the urgency and the danger. It’s a big worry.”

Adding Chilwell and Mendy to their ranks along with veteran Thiago Silva was a huge statement by Chelsea. Their business showed that they had acknowledged the team’s weaknesses and were eager to plug the leaks.

But so far, the club’s lavish spending hasn’t proved to be too effective and the Blues have toppled out of the Carabao Cup. They will hope to make amends against Crystal Palace at the weekend in the Premier League.

How do you think Chelsea performed against Spurs? Have your say in the comments below…

Hal Robson-Kanu is back in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion.

However, Slaven Bilic’s side have suffered another setback, after the club confirmed the 31-year-old striker sustained a broken arm in Sunday’s defeat at Southampton.

But the 44-cap Wales international is no stranger to overcoming adversity.

In fact, his career was almost over before it had even begun.

As a teenager, Robson-Kanu was on the receiving end of a potential career-ending challenge, injuring his cruciate knee ligament in the process.

After a series of operations, he was told by doctors that his chances of recovery were remote.

He soon grew tired of sitting on the sidelines and decided to do something about it, which in turn inspired him to start his own business.

Robson-Kanu spoke exclusively to Football FanCast about his latest venture in a wide-ranging interview.

“I was looking for a natural remedy to help with my recovery. Nothing seemed to work and believe me when I say we tried everything!

“So, my dad and I invested a lot of time and energy into researching different ways which would improve my recovery as well as reducing any aches, pains and swellings from the surgeries I had as a teenager.

“From my personal experience, I can tell you that turmeric aided my recovery and helped to dramatically reduce the pain I was experiencing at the time.

“I can honestly say that it saved my career!”

Robson-Kanu soon returned to action, and has gone on to score more than 50 goals for Reading and West Brom combined.

He established The Turmeric Co. in 2018, which offers a range of natural health shots to help with recovery.

His work would become a welcome distraction when West Brom’s push for promotion was brought to a dramatic halt. However, some of his teammates weren’t quite so lucky…

“We were away from football for quite a long period of time. Fortunately, I also run a business so I had quite a lot going on, but I know some of my teammates struggled like a lot of other people did during the lockdown.

“I think this time has taught everyone that it is really important to maintain your fitness levels. If you look at Joe Wicks, what he did was fantastic, and my family actually joined in with a few of his workouts.”

Robson-Kanu gave us an insight into the work his company has carried out during the pandemic.

Business has blossomed, as his shots now find themselves stocked in shops such as Whole Foods and Planet Organic, whilst website traffic has never been higher.

But he also organised shots for NHS staff and sent supplies to hospitals which were put under increasing pressure by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We worked with the NHS during the height of the pandemic, where we delivered care packages to NHS staff. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive and they really enjoyed them as they worked incredibly long hours. From that perspective, it was fantastic that we could contribute in such a way.

“In terms of clubs, we supply thousands of athletes who use our products on a daily basis, but we also supply a number of Premier League clubs, Championship clubs and several rugby teams as well.

“So it’s great that these individuals are taking their health really seriously and looking at natural options like our range to support their careers.”

As you might expect, his company are actively encouraging people to live a healthy balanced lifestyle. He went on to explain why natural nutrition is key.

“We are massive advocates of natural nutrition and that’s the basis of our range. We only use natural fresh products in every single shot.

“I think it’s important to understand the impact that nutrition actually has on your life as we live in an age now where information is very easily accessible.

“It’s certainly one of the reasons why we have seen such tremendous growth in the business.

“People are not only starting to take their health more seriously but beginning to have an interest in natural nutrition as a way of supporting their wellbeing as well.”

As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, with seemingly no end in sight, fans have grown accustomed to seeing top-level football being played in empty stadiums.

Robson-Kanu shed some light on what it is like playing behind closed doors.

“It is definitely different, it’s certainly not the same as playing in front of fans, and I think it makes you realise the importance of fans within sports in general. But, as a professional athlete, you just have to get on with it.

“The Hawthorns is a great stadium but it’s so much better when it is full.

“Although we have embraced the start of the season, we are definitely looking forward to fans being back in the stands and I certainly think the sooner it happens, the better.”

He also revealed his favourite goal for the Baggies. The striker memorably scored a 20-yard screamer as West Brom came from behind to beat Southampton back in 2016.

“My goal against Southampton is definitely my favourite so far, as it was an away game, it was a winning goal, Virgil van Djik was playing, and I ran past him and ended up putting the ball into the top corner!”

Check out the Turmeric Co.’s official website for more information.

Talk about bad timing. After hammering Premier League champions Liverpool 7-2, the last thing Aston Villa would surely have wanted was an international break.

Dean Smith’s side would no doubt have been keen to keep riding the wave, but instead watched on as several of his key performers – including the likes of Jack Grealish and Tyrone Mings to name but a couple – jet off to represent their countries.

Villa return to Premier League action on Sunday night, when they take on last season’s high-flyers Leicester, with the Foxes eager to be the team to snap the home side’s 100% start to the new season.

And whilst Jamie Vardy is likely to feature prominently in Smith’s team-talk before the game – rightly so given his goal-scoring exploits – there is one man who Villa cannot afford to let go under the radar: Timothy Castagne.

Leicester’s summer signing has started like a house on fire for his new side, even scoring on his debut in a 3-0 victory over newly-promoted West Brom at the Hawthorns.

That performance led Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers to wax lyrical about his latest charge, saying: “I’ve watched him for a number of years in wanting to sign him. He’s a player that fits the profile of how I want to work, he’s very fast, he’s non-stop running, he gets forward and wants to score goals as a full-back.

“But importantly, he can defend. He’s aggressive, got good composure and he’s a brilliant signing for us.”

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Castagne’s ability to be a major factor at both ends of the pitch makes him a concern for Smith and his men, and it will likely be Matt Targett who is charged with stopping the Belgium international’s forays.

But simply leaving Targett to deal with a runner like Castagne would be setting him up to fail, and if Jack Grealish gets the nod to start from the left-hand side rather than more centrally, then the Villa talisman will have to do his job to ensure the home side don’t get caught out in the wide areas.

Vardy may be the obvious danger, but Villa need to be aware of Castagne too.

And in other news, Villa must surely regret seeing this star leave.