Gillingham players celebrate securing promotion to League One with a 1-0 victory over Torquay

by Alan McGuinness

Gillingham fans will be glued to their TVs, radios, computers and phones tonight in preparation for one hell of a party.

The Gills go into the game away to Cheltenham knowing that a win will see them crowned League Two champions – their first league title in almost half a century.

A dramatic collapse would be needed for the club to snatch misery from the jaws of glory now.

The club’s promotion charge has not gone unnoticed in the football world, with Manchester United defender and former England captain Rio Ferdinand writing on Twitter: "Congratulations to Gillingham on promotion! Party time I hope for all associated!"

Former Gills striker Tony Cascarino, bought by the club for team shirts, wrote in his Times column on Monday: "Well done to my former club, Gillingham, and their ever-enthusiastic manager, Martin Allen, for winning promotion from League Two.

The top flight gets all the attention, but these are the toughest jobs in football."

The champagne was indeed flowing last week as the club confirmed a spot in the automatic promotion places thanks to Danny Kedwell’s second half goal.

Gills boss Martin Allen has secured promotion in his first season in charge

But there are no plans in place at the moment to formally celebrate the club’s promotion to League One, although that could very well change after this weekend.

A club spokesman said: "The manager, players and the club, as a whole, are totally focused on winning the championship."

A council spokesman said they would be keen to organise an event if contacted by the club: "We are all delighted by the success of the club and it is especially good news in their centenary season which we have marked as part of our Year of Celebrations.

"We would be more than happy to celebrate the team’s success with a victory parade if the club contacts us, and we are all hoping they go on to win the League Two title."

Kedwell’s winner was like something out of Roy of the Rovers, as the 29-year-old striker is a boyhood Gills fan.

The goal would have been a special moment for Kedwell, who started his career at Chatham Town and lived in Twydall.

He would often watch Gills games from the Rainham End.

The back page of our Monday newspaper featured a picture of a smiling Kedwell celebrating promotion in the dressing room with a beer in his hand.

But more than a decade ago he graced our sports pages as a prolific goalscorer for perennial Medway Sunday League Senior Section champions Quested.

After the game he wrote on Twitter: "Omg what a day still buzzing we are going say we are going up."

He’ll be hoping for a similar feeling come 5pm tonight.