Gillingham(H). 08/05/93.

I did not feel there was ever any chance of trouble. It was a fantastic afternoon in a friendly and celebratory atmosphere.

Gillingham and Torquay had been the two favourites for the drop for some time, so this game was penciled in for months as a last day loser-loses-everything showdown. The expected importance of the match accounts for the terrific following from Gillingham - although everyone likes a May weekend on the English Riviera anyway.

As it was, Halifax dropped like a stone leaving both clubs safe from relegation before a ball was kicked. Both sets of fans were singing the same song all game - "Staying up, staying up, staying up".

The pitch invasion at the end only ever felt like it was a shared party celebration.

By the way, I did not really appreciate at the time how Gillingham had taken a bullet with our name on back in 1938. With Ipswich due to be elected, there is no doubt whatsoever that we would have lost our League status had we not dodged re-election by a single point. Visits to us cost other teams dear as they entailed high travel costs and very little share of the gate due to our pitiful crowds. As it was Gillingham lost their league status - winning it back 12 years later when the league expanded from 88 to 92 clubs. Despite our reprieve, we announced our intention to resign from the league that summer anyway - but in the end Charles Hore saved the day just as he had back in 1925.