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Gillingham fans misery after FA Cup defeat to Dover Athletic

Dover fans young and old had plenty to celebrate as they watched their side beat Gillingham 2-0
Dover fans young and old had plenty to celebrate as they watched their side beat Gillingham 2-0

It was Dover fans who were celebrating after the shock FA Cup win over Gillingham at Priestfield on Saturday.

Gillingham supporters were left shaking their heads after the 2-0 defeat to non-league Dover on Saturday, with our Gills Jury representative of the wide-spread misery. Here's what they had to say:

ALEX SARSON

(Wellingborough)

"Embarrassing and disgusting. A useless and passionless team led by a clueless coaching staff. Nutter was a waste of space and we looked better at the back once he was sent-off. Saying that, it wasn’t a high standard before so it wasn’t difficult to get better.

"Southall tried but couldn’t do it on his own, he needs to start again this weekend. Palmer being taken off was a joke.

"New management with a tactical idea of football is needed, coupled with mass changes. Stefan Payne, Inkango, and Southall all need to be starting from now on.

"Cody McDonald can return to Norwich as his attitude and lack of effort means he is not fit to wear the shirt. I can count on one hand the ones that are fit.

Akinfenwa needs balls to feet and to be 100 per cent, until then he should be on the bench.

Only bright bit of the day was to see Simon King warming up with the team and kicking a ball. We need him back as soon as possible."

SAM LIVINGSTONE

(Pangbourne)

"Unbelievable. The players showed no passion and it was an appalling performance.

"It is possible the worst run we have ever been on ever in my history as a Gillingham fan. We have one win in seven and haven’t won away for 34 games. The players look shot to ribbons confidence-wise and the manager has got a no clue anymore.

"We need a fresh start as I’m starting to get increasingly worried about slipping into Conference football – it is that bad.

"I will never jeer Hess but it is time for him to go, for his and our sake.

If we lose next week against Crewe, then something absolutely radical has to happen. Something needs to change and I think it is the manager."

EDDIE ALLCORN

(Canterbury)

"It was an accident waiting to happen and a lot of Gills fans I know were convinced Dover would win and won a lot of money on it after backing Birchall to be the first goalscorer."

"There were a lot of things wrong, both full-backs had nightmares. Nobody can fault their commitment but their confidence is shattered. Spiller was enthusiastic but ineffective. Jack Payne was my man-of-the match and seemed to carry the rest.

"There was 15 minutes in the second half when Gills had a bit of momentum. The Dover keeper made a couple of good – but not great – saves and they were wobbling for a while. A goal then and we might have been back in it.

"Most people will say Hess has to go but it’s hard to be horrible because he was a legend as a player. The bigger picture is the chairman to go and money has to be spent on the team.

"Expect crowds to drop off a cliff now, people are almost at breaking point, and will vote with their feet because the season has been an unmitigated

disaster. It was just nice to have some atmosphere inside the ground for a change."

ANDY STEVENS

(Dover fan)

"Being a Dover fan, things like this only happen in the FA Cup once in a generation. And the fact we beat Gillingham made it even sweeter.

"We had 2500 supporters there cheering the team on and it was wonderful to be there.

"People have vented their feelings strongly about what happened with Andy Hessenthaler and Ian Hendon but I think that’s been put to bed now and we have moved on to a new era at the club.

"There was a highly charged atmosphere at the game and it definitely had the feel of an FA Cup tie, although there was a sense of gloom over the Rainham End right from the start.

"There was a good feel about Dover’s performance, a spring and bounce about us. The spirit in the dressing room is good which is down to Martin Hayes.

"I had a great view of Adam Birchall’s first goal, and people say ‘can we keep him’ – but he has just committed himself to the club for another two years. This was a great day for the club."

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