Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to The KRBS Priestfield Stadium for what is certain to be a great game against high-flying Nottingham Forest. Our last game with The Reds ended in a bad result for us but, with our new manager, I am confident that we will not see a score-line like that again this afternoon.

In our last home match, against Southend United, we can take plenty of positives. The Shrimpers are a good side and are looking good for their push back up to The Championship, but we held our own. We must remember that these are changing times at Gillingham Football Club and that we are not going to win every game, but to get a draw against a top team such as Southend, shows that we are really stepping forward. We defended well, soaked up much of the pressure and, when Mark Stimson saw that the original formation was not working as well as he had hoped, it was changed and we looked a much better side for that change. It was great to see that the boys did not stop running all afternoon and when we got our equaliser I can honestly say that it was something that I felt we deserved. That is the difference with this team; they show 100 percent effort throughout every game and it gives you the confidence that they can go on to win the match and not fall by the way side like our previous teams. Mark has instilled a great work ethic that has surged right through the squad, each and every player now wants to work and get their shirt back and that competition can only be beneficial for the club in the future. If a player is not performing then there is a ready made replacement waiting on the sidelines eager to grab his opportunity to impress. The transfer window opens next month and one or two players will leave the club while we will also work hard to try and bring a couple in because we want to back Mark and help the team push up the table.

Before Christmas I chaired an Emergency General Meeting with the club's shareholders regarding the proposed selling of KRBS Priestfield Stadium. I'm pleased to say the meeting was extremely successful and, with some excellent questions being put forward and two hours of debate, the vote ended with an overwhelming 98.1 percent in favour with just 1.9 percent voting against.
Something that I moved to stress throughout the EGM was that this resolution was not the final step of the plan, but a next step and with this huge backing from the shareholders, the plan can continue with full force.

I also want it to be understood that I will not agree any deal that endangers the safety of Gillingham Football Club. I have always stated that this club is not where it belongs. It has huge potential and should be in the higher echelons of club football. When I came here in 1995 that was my opinion and it has not changed 13-years on. We have achieved so much in my time here and, okay we have returned to League One, but our spell in The Championship was the highest position in Gillingham's history and I want to take us back up there and make it permanent. A new stadium will help us achieve that as it will provide extra revenue streams that we do not currently have. Medway is a huge potential demographic for Gillingham and we need to tap into it fully, and with a new stadium gleaming at the heart of the Medway area I am certain that it will be the attraction we need to get more fans through the turnstiles.

Today we are now in the full swing of the Christmas schedule, with our second game in four days. Forest, as you all know, are a good side and are currently second in League One. However, league tables and statistics mean nothing when the players step over the white line. If we put in the effort and work rate we have shown in the last few games then I know that we will get more than a point out of this game.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Up the Gills!

Paul D.P. Scally

Chairman