6-0-6: Gillingham 1 v Shrewsbury 0

It's Bank Holiday Monday evening and I am catching up with Radio 5 and 6-0-6 with Alan Green as first aired on Saturday pm, yes the evening when for a change my team got lots of mentions. Listening to the commentary play back of the goal has had me jumping out of my seat as per Saturday. And they just keep playing that snippet... it's GREAT!!!

Alan Green has even said we deserved to win it!! Hooray! He is listing the clubs we get to play next season - Norwich, Southampton, Charlton amongst some new names.. but it does pose a great set of away days next season - Bristol Rovers, Exeter, MK Dons, Orient, Millwall - lots within reach.. brilliant.

But how was my version of the day?
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I woke up at 7.30 and it was with dread - I stayed in bed til 8ish. Then I had to get up. Wash. Think about camera batteries, mobile phone battery, memory cards etc etc. Weather check. Breakfast... mm. Could barely eat. Tea went down OK. But food. I was far too nervous. Hanging out washing helped.

I left the house later than I had aimed for. 10.30am became 11am. I'd been listening to Radio Kent on the Internet. Shop for a paper and gum. Extend my travel card for Zone 4. Tube. It was 11.11

I bump into my first fellow Gills fan at Tooting Broadway. Don't recall seeing him on Tuesday evenings! Change at the Elephant for Bakerloo Line. Day trippers in blue - the tube is all new to them. As more krbs.com shirts join me my nerves get more acute. By the time of the Met Line I am practically shaking. Where have all these fans come from?! Where were they at Exeter? Priestfield on cold Tuesday evenings? Wives/mothers who are dressed as if going to an Auntie's birthday party - but with a Gills scarf round neck. They look at me as if I am odd. I put that down to my nervous palour and being by myself dressed in a very vintage shirt. Younger kids who have painted faces are very excited. I envy them. I suspect my excitement has been dampened by memories of loss. Being 2 up and losing it to Man City in 1999 still haunts me. Really distraught. Okay so the following year we went up via beating Wigan. But defeat when so close is really hard to stomach. Worse even than relegation - and I've felt that too - at Forest and Leeds.

So I arrive at the all new Wembley Stadium. It's been my dream since the old Wembley was taken down to return and watch my team in a play-off. And here I am. It's just gone noon. The crowds are thin but you can sense the anticipation.

Wembley Way has lost its charm. It's basically an exposed subway... or maybe it's because I am on my own and have not yet had a beer.

I then check the view and there they are - the coaches from Kent arriving. Somewhere in all those is my Pops.

We hook up, me sat on a kerb waiting to see him come strolling across the tarmac. As I wait I am struck by the friendships being re-affirmed or long lost chums being re-united by the event. It's great to see. And the hats! Some tall and some floppy. And then having hugged my dad and checked his trip was okay we see a VIP coach arriving - its the TEAM!! I run over with my scarf aloft - wishing them well...

The sun comes out and fills the skies over the Wembley arch. Not happy about being below Millwall mind!

I persuade Pops to take a picture of me. I have one similar from 2000 ... I was less nervous then... and its a proper photo cos digital cameras weren't a necessity then... and it was raining/drizzle.

I see Lovegod larger than when I last saw him. He goes straight in and heads for the bar I suppose. Dad keeps bumping into old work colleagues. I look out for the twins, Pie family, Colin and Arfur but to no avail. We finally go in via the electronic ticket turnstiles. Body and bag check.. and finally BEER!!! I drink my first as if in a desert...and then we have another. My nerves lessen.. toilet stop and to our seats we go... behind the goal - practically a similar spot to where we sit in the Rainham End..

Pomp and ceremony, national anthem... red carpets ... and then 90 minutes.

We far and away out played them first half. We had chances but did not convert. But we were passing the ball - looking solid at the back - as the team got more comfortable with the space, they dominated it more. But we did not score. Half time. The lack of a goal adds to my tension. Have we missed our opportunity? By then I tuck into a much needed cheese roll... and here we go again.. the second half Shrewsbury come back into it.. but everything they try they don't manage to do properly. Royce makes a few plum saves - as ever, and we keep trying to win back the ball.. the screen shows 87 mins. There are 3 minutes to go. I am resigned to extra-time and the stress of penalties. We haven't made any substitutions so should come out the better side. But the Gills keep pressing.. a corner is awarded...

OH MY LORD!!!! It goes in. Simeon Jackson heads it in. Disbelief then total joy fills my heart. Everyone is going mental. Hugging and jumping up and down. It was the 90th min. 3 minutes added time. Please ref blow the WHISTLE!!!!!

He does and the Gillingham fans explode... its incredible - its perfect! We did it!!!

Celebrations....

Congratulations...!

The jubilant team...

Collecting the cup.

Fanfares

Team elation... ! Winners in 2009 - at Wembley with 35,000 fans to witness it. Where will they be come December when we are playing in the rain etc. But for now who cares?

We did have to endure Gills fans facing off in the first half - spirits running high. The three chaps in front of us were bitching about plastic fans.. but then leave just before half time and fail to return for the start of the second half. Too many pints means too much time in the loo... and the aggressive vitriol .. it upsets me. Who are they to say whether I am passionate or not? I have had a season ticket now for nearly 10 years. I have a tattoo on my bum. I go when its not glamorous to do so. The Gills are as much a part of my life as eating and drinking. Its something I share with my Pops - our bonding - but I go even when he is away - its my constant when all around are letting me down. The Gills give me something else to think about. Saturday was a dream come true and how often does that happen? I am still savouring it now.

We left the stadium elated. Dad beetled off to his coach and I ambled to the tube station just drinking in the atmosphere and sunshine. I even bought a flag! Tsk! It felt great to be a Gills fan - it felt great to have these moments.

So to next season... be counting down the days til the fixtures are announced and then the start of the roller coaster again... UP THE GILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!