Gravesham Council Leader's Comments

[Guest]

Trust me from someone who knows, Gillingham will be playing their football within the boundaries of the borough of Gravesham within the next five years, possibly if all goes to plan from Scilly’s point of view before then.

 

Why is it that every time the subject of Gillingham’s relocation is mentioned people always thinks that we’ll be okay because either the move won’t go ahead or that if it does it won’t be successful? Is that the future of Fleet? Hoping others fail? We should be looking at expanding ourselves instead.

[jc]

Quote:

Trust me from someone who knows, Gillingham will be playing their football within the boundaries of the borough of Gravesham within the next five years, possibly if all goes to plan from Scilly’s point of view before then.

What have a group of islands off the south-west coast of Britain got to do with this? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Hempstead Gaz]

Of course, if the illiterate pillock had registered, he could have edited his posting, saving himself from ridicule.

[Stu M]

Quote:

We should be looking at expanding ourselves instead.

Er... we are. In case you haven't followed things, Scally's plans have kick-started the chairman's own campaign to get Fleet a new ground.

Besides, this is the umpteenth time you've come on here criticising those who are opposing Gillingham. I take your point about looking after and promoting ourselves, but we should still resist the GFC moves. And if you're so clued up, Mr Anon, have you offered your expertise in any way, shape or form...?

[Guest]

Quote:

Of course, if the illiterate pillock had registered, he could have edited his posting, saving himself from ridicule.

What do you mean ‘illiterate pillock’, typing mistake you [censored]. I’m a Fleet fan mate, so what your problem eh? Typical of half the [censored] on here and why people don’t wanna register. We all want the same thing but a handful of two bob [censored] think they run the board.

[Guest]

Quote:

Quote:

We should be looking at expanding ourselves instead.

Er... we are. In case you haven't followed things, Scally's plans have kick-started the chairman's own campaign to get Fleet a new ground.

Besides, this is the umpteenth time you've come on here criticising those who are opposing Gillingham. I take your point about looking after and promoting ourselves, but we should still resist the GFC moves. And if you're so clued up, Mr Anon, have you offered your expertise in any way, shape or form...?

How exactly have I criticised a stum? Just saying that if the move goes ahead we need to change our attitude a bit that’s all.
Fact remains mate that if it comes down to it and the medaway pikey relocate were [censored] unless if we don’t plan for the worst now.

Face facts eh boys, it’s gonna take a bit more than a few letters to some councillor to get our point across. Money talks mate.

[Hempstead Gaz]

As you claim to be a Fleet fan, you will already be aware, as Stu M has quite correctly pointed out, that plans have ALREADY been set in motion for our own brand new stadium.

 

I suspect planning permission and funding for our ground will in place years before the Scally has even put Priestfield up for sale.

 

As his plan is almost entirely dependant on a casino, which simply will not happen, the Scally's plan will remain a pipedream until he gives up his stake in Gillingham in 4 years time.

 

BTW, the moderators do a splendid job on this forum, keeping chav pondlife and foul and abusive language well censored. If you feel the need to swear on a forum read by minors then you really do not deserve the honour of calling yourself a Fleet fan.

[Stu M]

Quote:

Face facts eh boys, it’s gonna take a bit more than a few letters to some councillor to get our point across. Money talks mate.

But nobody's saying or thinking that what we do will necessarily make a difference. And as mere mortals with zero experience of campaigning, there's a limit to what we can do. Writing letters is just one thing, however pointless - it's better than rolling over and dying. If you've got better ideas, about promoting ourselves, more specific than you've mentioned thus far, let's hear 'em.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

We should be looking at expanding ourselves instead.

Er... we are. In case you haven't followed things, Scally's plans have kick-started the chairman's own campaign to get Fleet a new ground.

Besides, this is the umpteenth time you've come on here criticising those who are opposing Gillingham. I take your point about looking after and promoting ourselves, but we should still resist the GFC moves. And if you're so clued up, Mr Anon, have you offered your expertise in any way, shape or form...?

How exactly have I criticised a stum? Just saying that if the move goes ahead we need to change our attitude a bit that’s all.
Fact remains mate that if it comes down to it and the medaway pikey relocate were [censored] unless if we don’t plan for the worst now.

Face facts eh boys, it’s gonna take a bit more than a few letters to some councillor to get our point across. Money talks mate.

Cllr Burden isn't just simply a councillor. Let me translate his title in words that even our anon friend (or foe) can understand.
He is LEADER....OF....THE.....COUNCIL.
Or, he has clout!!!

[Guest]

Ok mate, I’ll curtail my colourful language, but I’m sure you’ll be able to appreciate this is an emotive subject.

 

What do you mean foe? I'm more than willing to make myself known to you in person, perhaps for a beer in the clubhouse, so let's leave the name calling in the school yard now eh?

 

I appreciate his position within the local council, but when have decision off this financial magnitude been left down to the discussion of a local councillor.

 

Listen lads I wasn’t having a go, and it’s better doing something than nothing, but I reckon we could be doing more.

 

And I ain’t a chav.

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

It is certainly an emotive subject, and one that we need to plan and get right.

 

There are many ways that people can get behind the Fleet First campaign.

Writing letters and emails are a small but important part. So please all write/email Cllr Burden. ( The most important one is being to get down to all the home games and bring as many people that you can)

 

remember if the challenge was to eat an elephant,and you tried to do it all in one go, it would kill you. But if you over a period of time ate it chunk by chunk it is possible.

 

 

The Fleet - London branch

[Andy Y. (G&NFC)]

People would take your views far more seriously if you were to register.

 

Or are you someone important in disguise who has to keep a low profile?

 

BTW why hasn't the word W****r been censored in an earlier post? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

 

 

Is it one the moderator has missed? Shame on you! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Hempstead Gaz]

OK, truce. We are all on the same side. Councillors, the fleet players and the board all visit this site. It gives us fans a lot more credibility when we register, as it proves, if nothing else, that we are regular contributors, and not passing idiots posting crap under ANON titles.

Also, when registered, you can recall badly spelt postings, correct them and resubmit them.

[chris blanc]

Quote:

BTW why hasn't the word W****r been censored in an earlier post? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />


Is it one the moderator has missed? Shame on you! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sorry about that, all done now <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

I known for a fact that the Chairman was thinking about a new ground 3 years before Scally pointed his heavy artillery westwards - he has not been kickstarted by recent event, just had his hand forced. As with previous entries in this thread we really should really start to accept that this

may happen (with or without the casino). We must open talks with gills Supporters groups - most of them don`t think it will happen

[Harry J Allstars]

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What do you mean foe? I'm more than willing to make myself known to you in person, perhaps for a beer in the clubhouse, so let's leave the name calling in the school yard now eh?

I'll meet you.

[ColtheJock]

I know this a very emotive subject and I have backed the fleet first campaign with all my Scottish might!!!! But maybe it is time for pragmatism to kick in, it seems more and more likely that Gillingham will be re-locating to the Gravesham area and we need to maybe campain for those Gillingham fans that are unhappy to boycott their club and come to Gravesned!!! We need to boost gates to prove we are serious about progression and getting a new stadium for ourselves. A nice little 5,000 capacity stadium down by the river at Northfleet would be great!!!!

[DarrenGNFC]

Hello again, I haven't spent as much time on the PC over the past few days so it has taken a while to write my email. But I've done it now, and want to make sure it's alright to send:

 

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Good Afternoon Cllr John Burden,

 

I read your comments in the Gravesend Messenger regarding the proposed move of Gillingham FC to Gravesham, and felt compelled to email you.

 

I'll get straight to the point: I - and many other Gravesend & Northfleet fans - do not want Gillingham to relocate to Gravesham. Why? Because that will destroy Gravesend & Northfleet F.C. in the long-run. I imagine to begin with we will maintain our 1000-1500 fanbase, but eventually as senior fans pass away, it is likely that the majority of children being brought up in Gravesham will support Gillingham rather than Gravesend & Northfleet due to the lure of Championship (Well, more likely League One) standard football. Then gradually, Fleet support will decrease and eventually - in many years time - the club could be completely forgotten about.

 

You say you are in favour of a merge. But why? You do realise this will put lots of Gravesend & Northfleet players/staff out of work, don't you? As I imagine it will be mainly Gillingham players/staff that will be kept, due to their superiority League-wise. They may currently be three leagues above us, but that could change rather dramatically in just a few years. Gillingham are currently on the verge of getting relegated from The Championship, and - with a bit more local support bringing in more income - we could get promoted to League Two, making the difference between the two teams just one league.

 

I think you should help to get behind The Fleet, rather than The Gills as they are not as superior as they may seem just by looking at league status, and most importantly because Gravesend is Gravesham's team and Gillingham is Medway's. They don't belong here, and if they move then they run the risk of becoming one of the most hated teams in Britain, just like Milton Keynes Dons/Wimbledon.

 

Thank you for your time and I hope you reconsider your thoughts.

 

Darren Clark, Gravesend & Northfleet Fan.

 

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Is that alright? I hope I haven't made too many mistakes or said anything I shouldn't have. Cheers.

[Stu M]

I got a reply:

 

Dear Sir

 

Thank you for your e-mail concerning the above the contents of which have

been read and noted with interest.

 

Whilst I can understand your reaction to the press article as well as the

response I have received from many other people, some of which have made

threatening comments, I would like to point out the following: -

 

1. The comments stated in the article do not reflect comments that I

made on that, or many previous occasions. The media again, true to form,

has miss-quoted at best and made up some of the comments quoted.

2. Whilst I am aware there are many supporters of Gillingham Football

club residing in Gravesham, I have always stated my support for both the

club and its aspirations of Gravesend and Northfleet Football Club.

3. If you care to carefully read previous reports in the media and that

of the club itself, both the council and I are reported as supporting the

club and the club itself confirms this.

4. I meet with the club management on a monthly basis to see how we can

further aid their aspirations both at the existing site and at alternative

locations. These regular meetings do not occur with Gillingham FC so it is

apparent where my support rests.

 

5. The council is in the process of obtaining a new site that will

provide alternative and better training facilities for the club. This will

be announced shortly and as such, there can be no question of my support for

the club, as I have been fundamental in making this happen.

 

I hope the above clarification of my position is of assistance, I must

however confirm that in due course if any club including Gillingham makes an

application for a new club ground in this area then it must and will be

considered on its merits as any other application would be considered.

Whether another club, apart from Gravesend and Northfleet, can be allowed in

Gravesham is a matter for the Football Association under their rules, as

this would not be a planning matter.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

John Burden

Leader of Gravesham Borough Council.

[Guest]

Got the same one back as well.

 

and sent a polite response back thanking him.