[cite]Posted By: nigel w[/cite]''It's a Derby for Gillingham not for Charlton. Simples''
If we concede that, though, Ketman, aren't we handing them the competitive edge?
I am sure their entire playing and management staff are on here right now taking "competitive edge" from this debate. If they have any sense they'll be heading home from training ready to watch the new bird on Countdown.
[cite]Posted By: Lost Red[/cite] In my opinion there's no need to even compare the two; Millwall will always be a bigger and better game to us, Gillingham literally mean nothing.
I know where you and many others are coming from.
But if you live in the Medway area and you know/work with Jills fans, then it takes on a whole new level of rivalry.
And a must win match at all costs.
Living down in Cornwall not so far from Plymouth, I live and work amongst loads of Argyle fans.
And they all know how I fly the flag for Charlton.
So during the last couple of seasons Plymouth v Charlton became 'my derby match' - the match Charlton dare not lose, because of the grief I'd get from workmates, neighbours, etc
And after we beat the bastards, it was one Monday morning at work that I was really looking forward to!
I think the London-Kent argument that it's not a derby is misplaced. Does anyone regard Charlton v Brentford as a bigger match than Charlton v Gillingham, just because Brentford, like Palace, are in outer London?
One of the characteristics of a derby is mixed support in the community, which is true of Millwall, Gillingham and to some extent West Ham but only to a lesser extent of Palace. It's not really true at all of Brentford, Orient, QPR, Fulham, Barnet, etc, unless you are a Charlton fan who happens to live there. Palace would be better described as a grudge match.
I think the real reason Gillingham is of less interest than Palace/Millwall is that they have never amounted to anything as a club. It's a mismatch - a bit like having a rivalry with Welling or Dartford would be. But these things can change.
Comments
...........and the 3 bears.
I know where you and many others are coming from.
But if you live in the Medway area and you know/work with Jills fans, then it takes on a whole new level of rivalry.
And a must win match at all costs.
Living down in Cornwall not so far from Plymouth, I live and work amongst loads of Argyle fans.
And they all know how I fly the flag for Charlton.
So during the last couple of seasons Plymouth v Charlton became 'my derby match' - the match Charlton dare not lose, because of the grief I'd get from workmates, neighbours, etc
And after we beat the bastards, it was one Monday morning at work that I was really looking forward to!
One of the characteristics of a derby is mixed support in the community, which is true of Millwall, Gillingham and to some extent West Ham but only to a lesser extent of Palace. It's not really true at all of Brentford, Orient, QPR, Fulham, Barnet, etc, unless you are a Charlton fan who happens to live there. Palace would be better described as a grudge match.
I think the real reason Gillingham is of less interest than Palace/Millwall is that they have never amounted to anything as a club. It's a mismatch - a bit like having a rivalry with Welling or Dartford would be. But these things can change.