Striker Sam Vokes admitted his first Gillingham goal had extra significance at the weekend.
Much was made that 35-year-old Vokes had already made his Football League debut for Bournemouth nearly a year before debutant Gills midfielder Cruz Beszant was born.
But it turned out Vokes had an even younger fan club among the travelling support, with his two young daughters experiencing their first away game.
“For me, it’s extra nice,” smiled Vokes. “I had my family there as well because they were up for the week in Manchester. My two girls, it was their first away day, actually.
“I might have to stick them on the supporters’ coach most weeks and they have to come up and watch me!
“But they were there in their away kits, so they loved it.”
Vokes’ family were among 549 supporters in the away end, another excellent turn-out on the road by the Gills faithful.
“I was surprised, but I wasn’t that surprised because I’ve seen how they’ve been over the last few weeks since I’ve been here,” said Vokes on the club’s support. “They’ve been amazing.
“At home, the roar and the crowd that we’ve got, the noise they make is amazing. It’s my first experience from away day and I look forward to many more.
“If we can repay them for that journey with a result like that, then hopefully there’s more to come.”
It was Vokes’ first goal in just over a year after he missed much of last season at Wycombe through injury.
He’s not back up to full speed after missing a large chunk of pre-season due to a broken arm but he’s delighted to open his Gills account on just his third substitute appearance for the club.
“Fortunately, I spent most of summer in the physio room due to this broken arm,” he said.
“So, for me the first target is to get back on the pitch and build up minutes. For me as a striker, it’s to score that goal as well.
“To tick off that first one for your club when you join is always nice after a frustrating pre-season for myself. So, it was nice to get that first one up and running.
“Days like these are what it’s all about. Celebrating in front of the away fans after scoring a goal.”
Vokes, who won 64 caps for Wales during his international career, headed home a deep Max Clark corner at the far post.
It was another set-piece goal for Gillingham and the experienced striker knows how important the fine margins can be.
“Set pieces are an important part of the game and sometimes when you come to away days like this, as it showed, they’re the difference,” he added.
“If you can put a few more in your favour than theirs, then happy days.”
Vokes is well versed with Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth, who signed him for Wycombe in 2021 from Stoke.
The striker is not surprised by the impact the manager has already had in Kent.
“I know how Gareth works and I know how the staff work,” said Vokes. “It hasn’t surprised me because he gets hold of the squad and the positivity he brings into it, and the work ethic and the drive he’s got reflects that.
“Do you know what I’ve seen? I’ve seen the lads have bought into it as well. It’s a good, tight group now that can go on and hopefully do something special and it’d be nice to be part of.
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“But for me at the minute, it’s about growing on that.
“I worked with the manager at Wycombe and loved my time there. We had some success.
“I know how he works. He knows how I work and it works very well. We had a phone call over the summer and I wanted to be part of that project.”
