Gillingham’s young defender Sam Gale had the fans at Priestfield singing his name on Saturday and he was loving every minute.
The 20-year-old defender has quickly impressed after being given a run in the team by manager John Coleman – who after Saturday said the scouts would be queuing up if his good form continued.
Listening to the fans sing about him during a positive performance against Crewe on Saturday was a dream come true.
He said: “To hear my name sung around the stadium that, since the age of 13, I’ve kind of grown up watching games in and being a ball boy and then hearing those people that I’ve sat around for years sing my name is amazing.
“It’s really cool. Honestly, it gives me chills. At the end of the game I was fuming about the result but then I hear them sing my name and it’s like, ‘Wow, that is amazing’. It doesn’t get better than that.”
Home fans haven’t had a win to celebrate since beating Salford City in early December but they appreciated the team’s effort against Crewe.
With 19 shots on goal and a dominant second half, it was a performance that deserved three points. The supporters responded with a rousing send-off.
“I really experienced Gillingham and Priestfield at its best,” said the centre-half.
“They were roaring us on the whole time.
“I was gutted with the result but I was also like, ‘Wow, I’ve just experienced Priestfield at its best’, which was a really cool experience.”
A goalless draw left the Gills sitting 19th in League 2 but the performance was something Gale hopes they can build on.
It came after a positive midweek 1-1 draw at Walsall, two games that have helped to bring the players and fans back closer together after a weekend to forget at Barrow.
Gale said: “I think the performance warranted (a win) because I thought we were exceptional to a man.
“It was a real squad performance. Even the boys who were injured, we could hear them from the bench shouting.
“It really felt like there was togetherness carrying on from the Tuesday night (at Walsall). I was just a bit bemused by the fact that we didn’t come away with a win, but it’s football isn’t it?
“I think we’re back. I think we’re back to the kind of standards we expect of ourselves.
“I don’t think the quality is quite there yet, but the hard work and the non-negotiables, I think they’ve been there and that’s always the start.
“We know the results haven’t been on. Barrow was unacceptable. The manager said that and we completely agreed.
“We like to think with the (game on) Tuesday and (Saturday) we’ve put it right. The wins haven’t happened, but I think we’ve mended the relationship with the fans a bit.
“They deserved better than Barrow and we know that. I feel like we’ve given them everything [in those last two games].
“I think they acknowledged that and if we keep playing like that, the wins will come. (Saturday) just wasn’t our day. The effort was there. The hard work was there. It’s something to build on.”
Gale has been earning rave reviews, with the manager predicting he’d be a Gillingham captain one day – assuming he doesn’t move on to a higher level before then.
He said: “To hear a manager who’s been around as long as him, and seen a lot of football, say things like that about me, it’s really nice.
“I’ve always spoken with the people around me and said, ‘listen, if I get a run of games in this team, I know I can make things happen, I can show what I’m good at. It’s finally happening.
“I’m on cloud nine. Obviously, the results haven’t been great, but for me, it’s a dream come true to be playing games in League 2 week in, week out.
“It’s almost like a pinch yourself moment but now it’s, forget about that. I’m slowly establishing myself, I think. I’m just focused on having a good end to the season, establishing myself and then whatever happens in the future, happens in the future.
“I’m just proud to play for this club and whatever comes with that, comes with that.
“I like to think I pride myself on my leadership qualities, even at a young age, but it’s one step at a time.
“Right now, I’m still establishing myself.
“I’d love to captain this football club one day, but for now, it’s focus on getting this club to where it should be.”
He’s learning plenty from Gillingham’s former captain Max Ehmer at the back and said: “Max isn’t the type who’s going to shout and go, ‘move here, move here’.
“But just the little things, little bits of advice. You don’t play 450 games for this football club without being a very good centre-half. I think people are quick to forget that.
“He’s been amazing for me. Playing next to him, I don’t think anyone could have marshalled me better and helped me out over this run of games that I’ve started.”
