CONFERENCE: Fleet gates grow despite press report

Gravesend & Northfleet chief executive Glenn Aitken is at pains to point out that average gates this season have already grown from 1235 last year to 1455 so far this, almost an 18% increase, despite an inaccurate quote published in this week's Gravesend Reporter.

"It must be a slow news week for some. I was approached about Gillingham possibly re-locating to Gravesham and was only able to say that we had nothing to add to our chairman's statement of several weeks ago. Then a quote appears where I am apparently saying our gates are less than 1000. It's nonsense."

Fleet's great start to the season, currently 4th in the table, has led to renewed local interest and the fans are coming back week after week.

"We put a generous season-ticket scheme in place this year and sales are up 80%. We have also been reviewing our marketing in this area and are working on several initiatives" said Aitken.

The Club's ambition to switch to a full-time operation could be considered a strong possibility if gates were to go up to a regular 2500.