Welcome everyone to today's match against Northampton Town. I would also like to welcome our opponents, including their manager, Stuart Gray, and the fans that have travelled here today.
I would like to start my notes by looking back at our fantastic win away at Huddersfield last weekend. It was a great match, with both sides engaging in a fair but enthralling game, which was made even better when we ran out deserved winners. Some may say that we were under the cosh for early parts of the game but I saw it as soaking up the pressure, when it was needed, and then breaking down Huddersfield with swift and deadly counter-attacks. It was also great to see Gary Mulligan and Delroy Facey on the score-sheet because it proves that players that came to us pre-Stimson are still a big part of the club and they have got there by working hard in training and putting in stellar performances on the pitch.

One of the major contributory factors in our winning performances is our revolutionary young management team, led by Mark Stimson. He is making a real impact here at the club and the changes he has made to this team, and the culture, have served to further cement the justification that I took in taking my time over his appointment. Mark has brought some terrific hungry fighters into the club and he has highlighted some more that we are working on, but we do not want to rush this job as we need to get the right players to aid our push up the table. It is also very satisfying to see just how many of the squad Mark inherited now coming round to his way of working.

Another player attracting plenty of interest is young Luke Freeman, who has been linked with a number of clubs, some that have not even been mentioned in the media. It is an exciting period for the young lad and, indeed, for Gillingham Football Club. He is a player with a bright future and his quality is true testament to the work that our Centre-of-Excellence is doing. At the time of writing, Luke is still a Gillingham player. Although we would like him to stay at the club, we accept there are some massive opportunities for him elsewhere.

This week I was heartened when I received confirmation from the FA Disciplinary Committee that they had decided to overturn the red card Adam Miller unfairly received at Huddersfield. When I looked at the video it was clear that it was a rather harsh call and I am pleased that the FA saw sense and made the right decision in the end. Adam is a key player for us and he is improving all the time, which goes to show that there is an untapped source of quality players plying their trade in non-league football. Mark understands this and it is fantastic to see him unearthing the talent.
Today is an important game for us. Northampton are only a couple of places under us in the league and we must work hard to get the valuable three points. Where we are in the league is extremely congested and there are only a few points separating the middle ten sides. Three points today will almost certainly see us lift higher in the league with the Play-Offs still a serious challenge.
As always, we will need your help again this afternoon. Those that travelled to Huddersfield were fantastic. They sang their hearts out throughout the 90 minutes so keep it up. We want a cracking atmosphere today, as always your support will make a massive difference.

Up the Gills!

Paul D.P. Scally

Chairman