FORMER Gillingham FC fan Malcolm Scott thought he had discovered his dream residence when he bought a terraced home overlooking Priestfield Stadium.
It allowed him to observe each match from the consolation of his loft conversion.
Gillingham fan Malcolm Scott loved watching video games from his loft window when he first purchased his home by the stadiumCredit score: JOHN McLELLAN
The Medway Stand, which changed the outdated Principal Stand, is the biggest and northernmost of the 4Credit score: JOHN McLELLAN
However years later he was not solely banned from attending video games, he was additionally arrested following a bitter falling out with the membership’s proprietor Paul Scally.
On the centre of the dispute was the choice to erect the massive new Medway stand that blocked his view of the pitch, and led to a long-running battle over planning permission.
For Malcolm, the battle bought so ugly that he stopped supporting his beloved Gills and has taken up gardening as a substitute.
Pensioner Malcolm, 90, instructed The Solar – who visited as a part of our summer time sequence, Life’s a Pitch, which seems to be at life subsequent to Britain’s weirdest and most fantastic stadiums: “I moved right here 54 years in the past as a result of I needed to go to the video games.
“My spouse was much less eager and stored asking to maneuver, however I refused as a result of I fell in love with the world.
“Probably the greatest issues was that we might see the pitch from the highest room within the loft conversion.
“My grandson would come spherical and sit on the roof to observe the video games on the weekends.
“The view was unbelievable and you may see every thing – till they constructed the brand new stand.
Priestfield Stadium is surrounded by Victorian housingCredit score: JOHN McLELLAN
Locals say the short-term stand is an eyesore as folks dump garbage subsequent to it on a regular basisCredit score: JOHN McLELLAN
“Residents together with myself objected as a result of we didn’t like the best way they had been doing it.
“We raised quite a lot of points with the council and it was the best way the membership handled us that bought us so upset.
“There was no respect and Scally even put a brand new nightclub in there. He claimed it was a social membership, however folks had been popping out of there at 1am.
“Sooner or later there was a gathering in regards to the new stand and Scally threw me out after I stated a number of issues.
I didn’t know something about his automobile being scratched however somebody accused me and a couple of yr later the police arrested me. There was no proof so that they needed to let me go, but it surely was horrendous
Malcolm Scott
“Later that evening, somebody scratched his automobile whereas it was parked on double yellow strains.
“I didn’t know something about it however somebody accused me and a couple of yr later the police arrested me.
“There was no proof so that they needed to let me go, but it surely was horrendous.
“I used to be additionally given a lifetime ban by the membership and I ended supporting them after that.
“My son-in-law nonetheless goes to video games, however I’ve misplaced curiosity.”
Malcolm’s spouse Margaret raised their 4 youngsters in the identical home, which is a 10-minute stroll from Gillingham practice station in Kent.
Native resident Ted Turner has additionally clashed with former Millwall fan ScallyCredit score: JOHN McLELLAN
Followers stroll previous residential properties to entry the stadium entranceCredit score: JOHN McLELLAN
She has a distinct tackle the choice to demolish the outdated principal stand in 1999, which included a bit housing away followers.
She grimaces when she recollects how the earlier low-rise construction would offer an unobstructed view of their backyard.
Margaret, 86, stated: “The away followers used to name to me after I was exterior, singing ‘We are able to see you!’
“They’d wolf-whistle at my daughters after they had been within the backyard.
The away followers used to name to me after I was exterior, singing ‘We are able to see you!’ They’d wolf-whistle at my daughters after they had been within the backyard
Margaret Scott
“We didn’t suppose something of it because it was simply banter and I don’t have any issues now.
“I’ve double glazed home windows, so I don’t hear all of the noise throughout video games.”
Father-of-seven Scally, 66, has turn into a controversial determine since taking on the membership in 1995.
For some he’s the saviour that rescued Gillingham FC from chapter and kick-started an period of unprecedented success.
For others he’s a bully who threw his weight round and threatened the identification of the membership.
Paul Scally has turn into a controversial determine since taking on the membership in 1995Credit score: Rex
The Brian Moore stand turned a humiliation for locals and a sore level for away followersCredit score: JOHN McLELLAN
The London-born businessman, who made his fortune by means of the Metronote photocopier firm, took on money owed of as much as £2million when he snapped up Gillingham FC for simply £1.
The membership was about to be expelled from the Soccer League however he saved it from being liquidated and closed down.
Scally’s shrewd managerial appointments – bringing in first Tony Pulis earlier than he was sacked after which Peter Taylor, who went on to handle Leicester Metropolis – paved the best way for glory on the pitch.
His tenure has overseen three promotions, three Wembley play-off finals and 4 FA Cup victories over high division opponents.
The Gills additionally achieved their highest league end of eleventh within the Championship in the course of the 2002/03 season.
Three stands together with the Medway had been demolished and rebuilt between 1995 and 2000, whereas a fourth known as City Finish was knocked down as a part of a redevelopment in 2003.
Malcolm says the social membership become an evening membershipCredit score: JOHN McLELLAN
Clay Bell, 61, additionally lives close to the stadiumCredit score: JOHN McLELLAN
A short lived stand named after legendary footie commentator Brian Moore was erected the identical yr.
Nonetheless, the scaffolding-like construction stays in place at this time regardless of the very fact it has reportedly been broken by years of publicity to the weather.
Rebuilding was presupposed to happen in 2004 however monetary points and Scally’s fiercely contested proposal to maneuver the membership to a distinct a part of Kent put the plans on maintain.
Reporters with the Kent Messenger Group and Alan Liptrott, chairman of the Gills Unbiased Supporters Membership, had been all banned from attending video games for a time after criticising the chairman.
Within the meantime, the Brian Moore stand turned a humiliation for locals and a sore level for away followers pressured to face out within the pouring rain.
Retired BP refinery employee Ted Towner, 78, is one other resident that has clashed with former Millwall fan Scally.
He stated: “Nobody likes him as a result of he doesn’t pay attention.
Gillingham FC was relegated from League One in 2022Credit score: JOHN McLELLAN
Gills fan Rick Turner is rather more upbeat in regards to the membershipCredit score: JOHN McLELLAN
“I fought him as a part of the residents affiliation and he doesn’t like folks criticising him.
“I solely met him on the conferences and I can inform you, he all the time has to get his personal manner.
“The short-term stand is a humiliation for us and it’s also an eyesore as folks dump garbage subsequent to it on a regular basis. I don’t know the way they’ve gotten away with it for therefore a few years.”
Gills fan Rick Turner is rather more upbeat in regards to the membership, regardless of the very fact they had been relegated from League One in 2022.
He has been a supporter because the Nineteen Sixties and continued watching video games even after a brand new £2m Gordon Highway Stand was erected reverse his home in 1997.
Father-of-three Rick, 69, stated: “I’ve lived right here for 30 years and at one level, for about two seasons, you may see your complete pitch from my high bed room.
I’ve lived right here for 30 years and at one level, for about two seasons, you may see your complete pitch from my high bed room
Rick Turner, native resident
“It was unbelievable and saved me about £150 a yr on a season ticket.
“The ambiance wasn’t nearly as good at residence, however the children would have their pals over and my eldest turned a giant Gills fan.
“Supporting this membership has its ups and downs however I completely like it.
“I used to comply with the Premier League. I misplaced curiosity because it’s all about cash now, whereas gamers at my membership truly care in regards to the followers.”
Gillingham FC is now owned by American property tycoon Brad Galinson and his spouse Shannon.
They’re promising to revive the membership identical to Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have turned issues round at Wrexham FC in Wales.
Final yr the couple bought a majority share from Scally, who’s now based mostly in Dubai and retains a minority share.
Liz Shearer welcomes the brand new tradersCredit score: JOHN McLELLAN
Final yr it was reported that Scally was subjected to intense harassment following the membership’s relegation. He took an enforced break from membership responsibility after some followers trespassed on his property, broken his automobile and intimidated his household.
He stated the group of followers in query had “crossed a line” with their “relentless and private” abuse.
Scally instructed talkSPORT’s Jim White in an interview: “I’ve fallen out of affection with Gillingham and I’ve fallen out of affection with soccer and that’s why I’ve determined that I must take this break and step away to attempt to get my life again a bit and attempt to get some normality again in my life for me and my household.”
Liz Shearer’s residence backs on to the Rainham Finish stand and she or he is happy by the prospect of the Gills enjoying Wrexham in League Two this season.
Mum-of-one Liz, 50, stated: “I feel Scally did properly for us till the cash ran out – and the long run is vibrant now we’ve bought new traders.
“The Galinsons have labored wonders already and each match goes to be a sell-out subsequent season, particularly the one in opposition to Wrexham.
“I wish to say to Ryan Reynolds, if he’s studying this, that he’s very welcome to pop over for a cup of tea.”
The Solar reached out to Paul Scally for remark.
Gillingham FC is now owned by American property tycoon Brad Galinson and his spouse ShannonCredit score: JOHN McLELLAN
The £2m Gordon Highway Stand was erected in 1997Credit score: JOHN McLELLAN