Dressing room celebrations - Picture by Keith Slater

by Lynn Cox

lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

The mighty Gills will be given a heroes welcome in Medway after securing promotion to League 1.

Medway Council has arranged a player’s victory parade on Bank Holiday Monday.

Officials are hoping the 35,000 fans who made the Wembley trip will come out in equal numbers for the celebration in the historic surroundings of Rochester Castle.

First, the players will appear on a specially assembled stage at Rochester Castle at noon.

There, they will be congratulated by Medway Council Leader, Cllr Rodney Chambers, and the Mayor of Medway, Cllr David Royle, with a team photo opportunity in front of a banner stating: “Medway salutes Gillingham FC – Champions”.

The team will then be picked up by open top bus before starting their victory parade through Medway.

The bus will leave the castle grounds via Boley Hill at 12.30pm and will make its way to Priestfield Stadium where it is expected to arrive at 1.30pm.

The route will take the players along Rochester Bridge west bound, Strood High Street, Rochester Bridge east bound, Corporation Street, Lower High Street, Medway Street, Globe Lane, Dock Road, Wood Street, Brompton Road, Arden Street, Jeffrey Street and Balmoral Road before they end their journey at Gillingham Football Club.