Manager Gareth Ainsworth was given a powerful reminder of Gillingham’s potential ahead of his first home pre-season match on Saturday.
The Gills boss came across Gillingham’s 1999 second division play-off final against Manchester City while enjoying some Friday night downtime ahead of their friendly against Reading the next day.
A never-to-be-forgotten match at Wembley saw the Gills lose out on penalties after City’s last-gasp comeback from 2-0 down.
Gillingham were backed by 34,000 fans at Wembley that day, and for the umpteenth time, it was replayed on television on Friday night.
“It was incredible watching some of the old faces like Hessy and Patto,” said the Gills boss, who happened to come across the match.
“It was quite ironic, actually. I didn’t even know it was on, but I was just flicking through and came across it, and I thought, ‘I’ll give this a watch.’ It was really good to see.
“It was heartbreaking, even watching it and knowing what was going to happen,
“I know what this club means to the fans, and I intend to deliver for the fans, but it’s going to be a journey.
“I want to bring some success here, and I think it would be a great place if we can.
“There’s that connection with the fans, people who’ve left Gillingham and now live in all different areas, but still come back to Gillingham.
“I’ve spoken to so many people who live in London now or live around there, but they still come back to Gillingham because that’s their team.
“But like I say, it’s a journey. A real journey to build. I don’t want any false success with no structure.
“We’ve got to build a structure first”
Ainsworth’s preparing for the first of what he hopes are two positive seasons at Gillingham.
The club are trying to avoid heaping pressure on, like they have in recent seasons, instead looking towards a two-year project where they hope to have the club back on track with League 1 and then the Championship in their sights.
It’s one step at a time and Ainsworth hopes he can be the man to get it right at the club after too many years of disappointment.
“The performance on Saturday I was proud of,” said the Gills boss, after a goalless draw with Reading.
“I’m sure that the fans saw the work ethic, what we’re trying to do, rather than the end result and that’s going to be something I’m going to be asking for for the next few weeks, months, until we really get this groove and identity that I want.”
