Good afternoon everyone and welcome to KRBS Priestfield for today's game with Cheltenham Town. I would firstly like to welcome our new signing, striker Simeon Jackson. Simeon is an exciting young talent and joins us on a three-and-a-half-year deal from Rushden & Diamonds. We worked frantically on the Thursday, the final day of the transfer window, to complete the move and I was naturally delighted when it went through. It was a long day for me, and the staff, but I know that it was worth it and when Simeon starts to score the goals then you will realise too that it was well worth it! I know that he will be a great addition to our playing squad and will enjoy playing here at our great club.

Today I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Keith Downing and his Cheltenham side. Our last game against Cheltenham saw us narrowly lose 1-0 in our first match of the season but much has changed since then. We have a talented new management team in place with fresh ideas and fresh thinking and they have completely turned the club around in their relatively short time here. We may not be in our desired position in the league but we are beginning to play the kind of football that will take teams apart and we just need that killer touch now to secure the wins we need to climb the table.

Aside from Simeon, we also recently managed to secure the services of two new exciting, young players in the shape of Barry Fuller and Stuart Lewis. Like some of our other acquisitions, the two lads join us from non-league side Stevenage Borough, where Mark was previously manager. They already have an understanding of how the manager likes to play his football and he sees them as fully capable of making the step up; and I support him 100%. I watched them on Tuesday night at Tranmere and, although the result was not what we wanted, we can take some positives as Barry and Stuart did not look out of place in the side and they will be further good additions. Garry Richards also made his first start for us midweek and he too will prove a beneficial signing. The club is developing under Mark and we have a fantastic team spirit.

Last week we saw the departure of our young star, Luke Freeman, to Arsenal. Luke is an extremely talented lad and he fully deserves his chance with a fantastic club like The Gunners. We secured a deal that benefits both Luke and Gillingham Football Club and hopefully, when he is older, he will remember where he started his career and look to come back to KRBS Priestfield. His departure also shows that our Centre-of-Excellence is flourishing and we are producing players of the highest quality. I would like to wish Luke every success in his future and hope that he enjoys his time at one of the best clubs in the world.

We are pushing forward here. The loan window opens again later this month and we will be looking to strengthen once more. It's an exciting period for Gillingham and I want everyone to get fully behind Mark, his assistant, Scott Barrett, and all of our players. They all want success, I certainly do and I know you do too. Please cheer the boys on this afternoon and help them to three precious points.

Up the Gills!

Paul D.P. Scally

Chairman