Gillingham suffer significant pitch damage as Fox breaks into Priestfield | OneFootball

Priestfield's playing surface has worsened in condition ahead of Saturday's clash with Tranmere Rovers

Gillingham FC's preparations for Saturday's League Two home fixture against Tranmere Rovers have been disrupted in a rather peculiar way at their historic Priestfield ground.

Images have circulated showcasing a major dent in the goalmouth of the stadium's Rainham End, which is said to have come from a fox which has made its way onto the playing surface in the nighttime hours of Wednesday and into Thursday.

This weekend's clash against Darrell Clarke's outfit already looked rather challenging on paper for the Kent club, with Rovers amongst the division's early-season pace-setters whilst Gillingham sit 13th under Gareth Ainsworth.

Gillingham FC vs Tranmere Rovers gets unusual pre-match disruption

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Priestfield is currently the seventh-largest stadium in League Two with a capacity of 11,582, but has often been the subject of discourse on social media due to a roofless and 'temporary' away stand.

However, taking to X on Thursday morning, Gillingham's head groundsman, Haydn Lawrance, posted images of the Rainham End goalmouth being significantly damaged, with a massive chunk of the turf dug up by a fox.

This will come as a massive frustration to Lawrance and his groundstaff, as he posted the caption: "Honestly... give me a break."

Normally, pitches can be seen getting worse for wear as the season progresses, especially due to potential adverse weather in the winter months, whereas this summer, staff were seen renovating the pitch in the off-season during some of the UK's hottest-ever temperatures.

It also isn't the first time a fox has snuck into a particular area of the stadium, as during a 2-1 win against Morecambe in September 2023, one was seen inside the aforementioned away stand, much to the bemusement of all in attendance.

Social media reacts to Gillingham FC's fox-caused pitch damage

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Unsurprisingly, such developments at Priestfield have generated some form of reaction on social media, with a former Peterborough United groundsman showcasing that there had once been similar issues at the Weston Homes Stadium.

One Gillingham fan joked: "Tranmere trying to stop the (James) Brophy train," after the winger netted twice at the Crown Oil Arena against Rochdale last weekend.

Another said: "I can lend you a Cane Corso for night patrol! He would make sure the foxes stayed away! In exchange for a free season ticket."

And, of course, there was the rather obvious response of the cliché: "Fox in the box," to which the groundsman replied: Not the one we were hoping for unfortunately!"

Gillingham face tough test versus Tranmere Rovers

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Tranmere are currently fourth in League Two after five matches played, picking up two victories and three draws in that time, making them one of five six still boasting an unbeaten record alongside Barnet, Walsall, Fleetwood Town, Crewe Alexandra and Grimsby Town.

The Gills, meanwhile, have harboured ambitions of being promotion contenders for some time under the ownership of Brad Galinson, but for a multitude of reasons, this hasn't been matched by on-pitch results under the vastly-experienced Ainsworth.

However, they were able to record their first win of the season in all competitions by comprehensively dispatching Rochdale 4-1 in the North West, and they will now be hoping that a similar performance at home means this fixture also isn't remembered for the animal-related debacle.