Former Gillingham legend Adrian Pennock is excited about the prospect of returning to Priestfield for the FA Cup game with Stoke City.

Pennock is now First Team Coach with the Premier League side under the stewardship of former Gills manager Tony Pulis and the fickle finger of fate drew the two sides together in this weekend’s Third Round tie.

The return of Pulis, Pennock and Mark O’Connor to Priestfield has increased the interest in the game which has now been declared an official sell-out.

Pennock spent over six years with The Gills, signed by Pulis for £25,000 from Bournemouth in October 1996 and went on to make 199 starts for the club and was famously skipper for the day when Gillingham beat Wigan 3-2 in the Play-off final at Wembley in 2000.

A true fan’s favourite amongst the Gillingham faithful, Pennock is excited about the prospect of returning to Priestfield for this weekend’s game, even though he will be hoping Stoke are victorious:

“I’ve got great memories of being at The Gills along with Tony and hopefully it’ll be a special day. I’m really looking forward to it, but we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a difficult game.”

“The Gills are doing really well, but then so are we. Being an FA Cup game, anything can happen. For me personally I’m really looking forward to it and it’ll be great to catch up with some old faces.”

Following his departure from The Gills in January 2003, Pennock went on to play for Gravesend & Northfleet before becoming manager of Welling United. Success with the Wings brought him to the attention of Pulis once again two years later and since then has been part of the coaching set up at the Britannia Stadium.

Still living with his wife and kids in Hempstead, Pennock told KSN how he still had a lot of affection for The Gills and had watched their recent games with Port Vale and the FA Cup replay with Bournemouth at Priestfield:

“It was the best time of my career coming from Bournemouth after being told my career was finished. Tony Pulis and Gillingham signed me after four operations and they were dark days, but they were thoroughly worth it so I could make my debut against Ipswich in the Carling Cup.”

“That’s when the love affair with Gillingham started. Having two Wembley appearances and the highlight being me be captain and seeing us promoted after beating Wigan with my son being mascot was a fantastic achievement for me.”

Fans always had a great rapport for Pennock who was reknowned for being one of the club’s jokers in his time at Priestfield and after scoring an own goal in the win over Wigan at Wembley, fans adopted the chant of “You only score own goals!” for which Pennock is still reminded to this day:

“I has some fantastic times at Gillingham and it was the supporters that really kept me going. They were so supportive of me, even when I had to retire. I’ve got a lot of admiration for them. I have got feelings for the football club and that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Much of the build up to the game will centre on Pulis’ return to Priestfield after his dispute with Gills Chairman Paul Scally, but Pennock insists all his side will be focusing on is the game itself:

“We haven’t really spoken about all of that and I think it’s all water under the bridge. Things happened back then and everyone has gone their own ways.”

“At the end of the day it’s not Paul Scally versus Tony Pulis, it’s Gillingham versus Stoke City and we have to remember that. I am sure I’ll say hello to the Chairman and shake his hand if he’s there and I bump into him.”

“All we’ve really said about it is that we’re glad that we’re going back as it’ll be a nice tough game, but we’re looking forward to it as we can say hello to all the great fans.”

Not drawn on which of Stoke’s squad would be making the trip to Priestfield, Pennock told KSN that whoever made the journey south, the Premier League side would be doing all they could to ensure the game was won at Priestfield:

“We haven’t decided the team at the moment, not that we’d tell you anyway! We know it’s going to be a tough game, but we’ve got a big squad and we’re going to make sure we’re not taking it lightly.”

One Stoke player that is sure to get a warm reception at Priestfield is England striker Peter Crouch after his comments in his autobiography about his visits to Medway, but Pennock insists that the lanky striker should be judged on his ability and not comments made in the past:

“I played in that game when Peter got the stick from the fans and ironically I’m now coaching him. It’s funny how things turn out, but all I can say is Pete is a gentleman, a fantastic pro and a very good player. He has been great for us this season and if he does play, we’re hoping he does well.”

Whoever wins Saturday’s game, Pennock will be glad to catch up with old friends whatever the result:

“I’ll know doubt have a chat with Hessy before the game and we’ll have a good catch up and have a few drinks after the game. It will be good to catch up with him, Trigger (Nicky Southall) and Darren Hare.”

“Danny Kedwell gave me a call when we were playing Everton in the league when the draw was made. I had Danny at Welling when I was manager there and it’ll be good to see him too.”

“He’s doing exceptionally well and I’m really pleased about that.”

Whoever does win Saturday’s game, log on to Kent Sports News next week for an exclusive post match interview with Gills legend Adrian Pennock.