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Sport

Looking back at the day Gillingham won the League 2 title at Priestfield in front of a sell-out crowd

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 12:00, 20 April 2020

Updated: 13:34, 20 April 2020

Gillingham clinched the League 2 title seven years ago today - here's a look back at that special moment.

Martin Allen's men wrapped up the title with a 2-2 home draw against AFC Wimbledon, in front of a crowd of more than 11,000 at Priestfield.

KM photographer Barry Goodwin was there to capture the euphoria from up close.

Charlie Lee enjoying the afters
Fans on the pitch after the game
Andy Frampton, Adam Barrett, Stuart Nelson, Leon Legge and Tommy Forecast
Title-winning manager Martin Allen
Captain Adam Barrett lifts the trophy aloft as Gills are crowned League 2 champions
Andy Frampton with the trophy
Manager Martin Allen takes it all in
Chairman Paul Scally with the trophy
The Rainham End celebrates
Charlie Allen and Bradley Dack with the trophy
The Gillingham team celebrate in the changing room
The Rainham End celebrate
A sell-out crowd at Priestfield watched the match against AFC Wimbledon
Gills fan Danny Kedwell, playing infront of a packed crowd, scored against his former AFC Wimbledon team to help secure the title
Deon Burton celebrates his goal against AFC Wimbledon
The Martin Allen fan club
A young Bradley Dack with the trophy
The Gillingham players celebrate being champions in the dressing room
Stuart Nelson celebrates with the trophy
Gillingham players with their manager Martin Allen after the final whistle
Leon Legge celebrates the title
Leon Legge, chairman Paul Scally and Danny Kedwell celebrate with the trophy
Captain Adam Barrett with striker Danny Kedwell
Manager Martin Allen and Myles Weston embrace infront of the Rainham End
Andy Frampton and Stuart Nelson pictured together
Defender Leon Legge and goalkeeper Stuart Nelson
Champions of League 2
Matt Fish ready to celebrate Picture: Barry Goodwin

Strikers Deon Burton and Danny Kedwell - both key men throughout the season - scored the goals to put Gillingham two up at the break.

And even a second half fightback from the Dons, who needed points for Football League safety, wouldn't ruin Gills' day, as a point was enough to claim their first title since 1964.

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Speaking afterwards, an emotional Allen paid tribute to the fans who helped make it so special. He heavily involved them along the way.

“The fans are vital and it’s their club," he said. "Mr Scally owns it but the bottom line is that it’s the supporters’ club.

“The players should at the end of every game clap the supporters and thank them for coming. It takes about two minutes to do it, to show respect to the supporters who have paid all the money.

“Money is not easy to come by at the moment, jobs are not easy to come by but the people who come to watch us and buy tickets, you should respect them coming, whether you win or draw. The other bit rarely happens to us. Even then you should still do it.

“The fact that so many of our supporters have been on the bench and on the team coach, in the team hotel, involved at the training ground and been in my office to find out what happens behind the scenes, is unique. It doesn’t happen at any other club in the Football League.

“We have had people in dressing rooms and it’s been non-stop. The training ground is open all the time and I wanted the public to come in and feel it.

“It is hard work at times but do I regret it? No. It’s been magnificent.”

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