Steve Evans hopes to see Priestfield returning to its horrible best.

As an opposition manager he never enjoyed the visit and now he’s hoping to make life tough for others that head to Gillingham.

Burton Albion are the visitors on Saturday as the Gills get their home campaign under way, a week after starting their season with a creditable draw at Doncaster.

KMTV spoke to Steve Evans at this week's press conference

Gills boss Evans said: “In recent years it’s been the fans; it has been the fans that have made it tough (on the opposition).

“I remember coming to Priestfield on the coach and I would say to myself, ‘here we go, battle commences’ and that’s before we got off the coach!”

In recent seasons the Gills have been better away from home than on their own soil. Too many teams have left Priestfield with maximum points.

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Evans said: “It is difficult to win games in League 1 anyway, it is a competitive league.

“There is no disputing that Paul Scally (the Gills chairman), and more importantly our supporters, have been let down, that is the only words to describe it. Players from last year would say it.

“We want players to embrace playing at home, to know that the fans are right behind them and we need the fans more when it is 0-0, or 1-0 down. That is when you really need them.

“It’s great when the fans are happy, when you’re 3-0 up, but you can play without them then. You need them when the battle commences and I am sure they will be there.

“Certainly the people I have been around, everyone around the stadium, from the people in the ticket office, the shop, the offices and the cleaners, everyone I speak to born and bred in Medway tell me how friends of theirs are really looking forward to it. That gives us a lot of hope.

Evans has been the villain in previous years at Priestfield, from the away dugout, but that passion is now for the Gills.

He said: “The Medway public can see my focus and motivation and passion is all structured towards them now.

“I think it has been noticeable pre-season with people coming up, especially before and after Doncaster, they love the passion and now it’s for them, it’s brilliant, they are saying they love it.

“I am very fortunate to have been manager at Elland Road (home of Leeds United).

“Their fans really can be a 12th man, when they are focused and ready for it they are tremendous.

“We need a passionate support all the way around the ground, not just the Rainham End, but we need them to help us get points in this league.”

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