John Seager's 30 for 30: Day 10

A Cunning look back of 30 days which have changed my life over the past 30 years

Day 10: 27th March 2003: Mixing it with the Gillingham Bigwigs

Evening all,

Now any football fan will say that mixing with the chairman of the club you support can be very dangerous but can also be very rewarding as well.

In my case it was not the first time where i have met the chairman of Gillingham FC but at least it was a chance to meet him personally and a chance to get the latest knowledge from around the club.

How did get this opportunity i hear you cry, well it was a present from my mother to go to a sportsman dinner which was being held at Gillingham FC with the 1966 world cup winning legend Sir Geoff Hurst being the main speaker at the dinner.

It was going to be held on the 27^th March and i was eagerly looking forward it.

But getting there would be difficult as i was in London – North London to be exact filming my final video for my university so i had to take my rather expensive suit across London on a very warm day. After filming was completed it was time to get changed, after a few wolf-whistles from my uni colleagues it was time to lave London and head for Gillingham.

Once i got to the ground i felt that i was totally out of place, there were so many upper class business snobs at the dinner, i felt like a true commoner who was doled up for the evening. But i was determined to enjoy the evening.  

The actual dinner was well swanky and was presented by the club. The hall where it was held was very posh and totally unlike other areas of the town of Gillingham – not that i am taking the piss out of it but it is true.

Then it was time do take a deep breath and mingle with the bigwigs at the club. After introduced myself to Mr. Scally and Mr. Hessenthaler we made some pleasant small talk about the season and where the club can go from here. It was interesting to see how the two of them had a lot of passion with the club. Although over the next season it was to go sour for a bit, it was interesting how the 2 of them were working so close together.

 Mr Seager, Mr Scally and Mr Hessenthaler 

After which it was time to introduce myself to Sir Geoff Hurst, it was a memorable experience for me however i did act in such a way i felt that i totally pissed him off. But i was so nervous i was making a prat of myself in front of him. But i still manage to get a picture of us and he is still to date the most famous hand that i have shaken – and that’s some record after i have interviews politicians and other sport related people.

One of my surreal moments in my life, me and Sir Geoff Hurst 

After which it was time to enjoy the rest of the evening before setting off home for the night – yet again on my own.

Overall, it was a surreal experience of being in the presence of a football legend and mixing it with the bigwigs of the club. I knew then that it wouldn’t be the last time that the 3 of us will be bumping into each other.

But the main lesson i learned is never upset or let a football legend get angry. It will come back and haunt you.