Vokes Nears Final Farewell In Gillingham Vs Shrewsbury
Sam Vokes could make his final professional appearance when gillingham vs shrewsbury arrives on Saturday, with the Gillingham forward set to retire after the fixture. The match also closes the season at MEMS Priestfield Stadium, where Gareth Ainsworth must manage late fitness checks and a few enforced changes.
Vokes is in line to start, while Seb Palmer Houlden and Sam Gale are available again after missing the defeat at Barnet through injury. Cameron Antwi and Euan Williams will miss out, and Ainsworth said a couple of players still need late fitness tests before kickoff.
Vokes And Booth At Priestfield
The focus sits on Vokes, but Sulli Booth adds another layer to Gillingham’s selection call. Booth could start his first home game after scoring on his professional debut at Barnet last weekend, giving Ainsworth a fresh option in a forward line that has already been forced to absorb absences.
That leaves Gillingham weighing experience against momentum. Vokes brings the farewell storyline, while Booth arrives after a debut goal, and the manager now has to decide how much to lean on a player who is leaving the game and another trying to build on his first senior strike.
Shrewsbury’s Strong Side
Gavin Cowan has said he will play a strong side for Shrewsbury Town’s visit to ME7, and Josh Ruffels could start after coming off the bench to score in the draw with Fleetwood. Cowan also said, “They (the fans) don't want to travel all the way to Gillingham for a half-hearted team. So we won't be doing it half-hearted.”
The game has some recent history behind it. Gillingham and Shrewsbury Town have met on 72 occasions, with Shrewsbury winning 26 times, the sides drawing 26 times and Gillingham winning 20. Their last meeting at MEMS Priestfield Stadium ended 0-0 in January 2022.
Priestfield Access Details
Supporters still have a few practical options before the game. Home fans can buy tickets online or in person until kickoff, with the ticketing desk open from 9am on the day. Away fans can buy online through their dedicated portal until 3pm, while domestic viewers can stream the match via Sky Sports+ and overseas fans can access a video feed for a one-off fee with Radio Kent commentary.
For Gillingham, the game carries a clean edge: a farewell for Vokes, a possible home debut for Booth, and a squad that is closer to full strength than it was at Barnet. For Shrewsbury, Cowan’s strong selection call means the visitors should not treat Saturday like a closing exercise, even with the season already winding down.
