Fans are expected back into stadiums soon and Gillingham striker Vadaine Oliver can’t wait to get the full-on experience at Priestfield.

Oliver has only played infront of fans at Gillingham as an opposition player, having joined in the summer, but may soon get the benefit of supporters rooting for him at ME7. All will depend on what tier Medway is in, however.

The government have said they will allow up to 4,000 supporters into stadiums, or 50% of a stadium’s capacity, when Lockdown 2 ends next week but tier 3 areas will still be playing matches behind closed doors.

Prime minister Boris Johnson made the announcement on Monday.

It’s likely that Kent and Medway will enter tier two or three when lockdown ends. Tier two areas can have crowds of up to 2,000 but the top tier - where Covid cases are highest - will have to wait a little longer before getting their elite-level football fix.

Gillingham the rest of elite football clubs have been playing without fans since the start of this season.

They played an entertaining game against local rivals Charlton on Saturday but it was missing a bumper crowd that usually watches the fixture.

Oliver has enjoyed his time at the Gills but knows he’s not got the full experience yet.

“It would be a massive boost for us (if fans are allowed back in),” said the striker.

“It is almost like an extra man on the pitch and when the chips are down and things don’t seem like they are going right, the fans can give you that extra lift and it will be great for them too.

“It has been hard time for everyone up and down the country, across the world, so to give fans that boost of getting back and watching the team they support would be massive.

“I still haven’t had that massive full on taste of what it is like to play for the club and I am looking forward to it. Hopefully next month there is a change and we can do it.

“I have played against Gillingham and they are a loud bunch, it can be intimidating. It can put you on the back foot as an opposition player and having the fans back would be a massive plus for us.”

Oliver recently headed home the winner against Woking in the FA Cup, infront of an empty Rainham End.

Fans have had to watch matches through a live streaming service that has experienced some technical problems and those supporters will be desperate to return.

Oliver’s winner against Woking came from a Jordan Graham cross and his previous two goals for the club came from the same source.

The pair trained together at Northampton for a while last season when Graham was looking for a club to play on loan, before eventually signing for the Gills. He was thrilled to be teaming up with him again this season.

“For me it is perfect,” Oliver said.

“We developed a little friendship and partnership then at Northampton and I said to our gaffer, 'we have to sign him, you have to sign him, we need him', but fortunately for you guys you got him!

“When I came to Gillingham (in the summer) and then he signed I was buzzing because his delivery and his crossing into the box are what I thrive off and it is working out. He is doing really well for us I am thriving off him doing well. It is a perfect partnership.”

Oliver has returned the favour with a couple of assists for the winger, who has six goals to his name, including the penalty against Charlton at the weekend.

The former Northampton striker has played in all but one of Gillingham’s league games this season and there is plenty of competition in the attacking areas, with each player offering something different.

“We have a good mix attacking wise,” he said.

“We have the likes of Trae (Coyle), who can cut in and has lively feet and can get in behind and Jordan, who has great feet and great delivery, probably the best in the league.

“Dom (Samuel) can play off the shoulder and is a bit of a fox in the box and then me and John, who can occupy a defence. All of us have got our ways of affecting a game and I think it is vital, you need it.

“You can’t just have one player who is expected to win you a game, you need that mixture and I think it works for us.”

If Graham is the best crosser of the ball, then Oliver is the clear winner of the aerial dual, usually coming out on top of the EFL stats most weekends.

“I know on the pitch that aerially I don't think I would lose,” he said.

“You have to have that self belief. I know going into games unless you put three players around me I am going to get the better of the opposition and it helps the team, it gives them that out ball. You let others do their bits of magic and you get opportunities from it.

“When the opposition warm up I look at who is the weakest of the back four and who am I going to target, I will mix it up, but you have to have the eye on the opposition to know who you are up against.”

Read more on the Gills