One particularly frustrated League One club unfortunately suffer a second break-in within three weeks at their 11,582 capacity stadium.
Gillingham, who sit 14th in the League One table, have appealed for information after thieves broke into the ground and are now turned to the public with CCTV footage.
The club have asked for the public’s help in identifying an individual who broke into their Priestfield stadium in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Among the items stolen were a safe which contained six leather-bound original hand-written journals dating back to 1900.
Club Statement.
➡️ https://t.co/njLR561ez5. pic.twitter.com/3W0M3fGatP
— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) January 7, 2021
CLUB STATEMENT: The club is appealing for help.
Gillingham Football Club is appealing for information from members of the public in identifying an individual who broke into the stadium on Thursday morning.
The person in question stole, among other items, a safe containing six leather bound original hand written journals dating back to 1900; these are priceless, invaluable and irreplaceable historic items which we are urgently looking to retrieve.
The break in occurred at approximately 1.15am this morning (January 7) and the club has passed over several items of CCTV footage, and still images, of the person that was inside the building at the time our alarms alerted members of our security staff, to Kent Police.
The footage we have shows an individual rolling a safe out of the building and into the alley way separating Linden Road from Priestfield Road. The individual is seen in Gordon Road 20 minutes later without the safe.
We are absolutely devastated by this news, as every fan should be, and we are appealing for any information which will enable the return of our safe, and the priceless items contained within.
If you recognise this person then please contact the Police. pic.twitter.com/SfNSzPPNLC
— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) January 7, 2021
Chairman Paul Scally said as the League One club suffer a second stadium break-in within three weeks: “I am absolutely devastated to hear of this news on top of everything else that we are all having to contend with at the moment.
“It’s the worst possible start to a New Year and we are urgently asking for help as we look to get back the only pieces of original history the club has. Please contact the Police if you have any information.”
If anybody has any information they should phone 101 citing reference number 0107-0156.
In December 2020, the Gills tweeted images of two men who they believe could assist them in their enquiries.
A tweet from the club said: “Late last week we were made aware of a break in at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
“Valuable items were stolen and we are asking for your help in identifying the persons in the below photographs.”
Late last week we were made aware of a break in at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
Valuable items were stolen and we are asking for your help in identifying the persons in the below photographs.
Details can be sent to tlawrence@priestfield.com.
Any assistance is greatly appreciated. pic.twitter.com/RW6kQkgoc3
— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) December 20, 2020
The club have asked that any information if passed onto their chief exec Tom Lawrence through his email at tlawrence@priestfield.com.
The ground has been closed to supporters since the end of February, with all matches since then played behind closed doors and their banqueting facility ended up being closed.
The memorabilia at the club is the League Two trophy, which they won back in 2013, but it’s not believed to have been among the items taken.
A spokesperson for the club was unable to confirm what was taken.
Kent Police say they are investigating a report of a burglary, which is reported to have happened on Thursday, December 17 between 11.15pm and 11.45pm, where a number of items were reported stolen.
Fans reacted as the League One club suffer a second stadium break-in within three weeks…
@EmilioElPez: Shame to the individuals who did that. Gills are strong, and we’ll get thru this.
@tracyshana: Absolutely disgusting
@thomasbranch21: Rancid human
@jackstriker101: disgusting
@cdog10ncfc: How did he know where the safe was? Inside help??
@MattCUFC_: What a twat. I hope someone recognises the nonce
@ArgyleVoodoo: speed he’s going, he must still be at the bottom of the street tonight?
@MagicMoritz: Thought you were announcing a new signing at first
@iriches2: Got to live local surely. He’s struggling rolling that safe and he’s barely left the ground.
@CTFCLinda: Surely the noise outside would have woken up some of the residents, have any of them come forward?
@GrumpyBolloxUK: Would have thought items like this would be held remotely in a secure environment. Obviously decided the cost to do so was not worth it. Now they’re thinking otherwise
@BobbyMa00187643: Jesus Christ. Find this vile piece of filth. Anyone.
@RICKY93JB: Considering he made it through the 3rd floor where Scally’s office is pretty worrying to say the least. What an absolute prick! #gills
@lewis__lufc: Just me who thought this was a signing
@dianencfcfan: What a nasty scumbag, stealing something which was precious to their football club, hope hes found
@horne1995: Scumbag. Share this far and wide, Gills fans. Hopefully this twat gets caught
@Naylor94: Whoever did this I hope is caught quickly. Over hundred year old documents stolen by the most brash person possible. Fucking scumbag
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