Gill Courtnell of Pound Hill is quite a recent convert to the CTFC fan base but has certainly become a regular this season. We caught up with Gill during the long trip back from Macclesfield to find out more.

Gill on the touchline auditioning for Steve Evans job. Sorry Gill, but you don't look nearly angry enough!

She revealed, “around 4 years ago I shared a season ticket with a friend at Old Trafford and spend many hours driving up and down the M6 motorway,.” This is why, when we were stuck on the M6 on the way to Shrewsbury a few weeks ago, Gill was able to point out all of the local landmarks!  But the tide was turning, and Gill was soon to learn that whilst she was right to follow the Red Devils, she was following the wrong ones! Her husband Brian “Rambo” Courtnell was invited to the Broadfield around 3 years ago and enjoyed it so much he started going on a regular basis. Gill was soon persuaded to follow. She first visited 2 years ago and sat in the West Stand. She said, “I really enjoyed my first experience at the Broadfield and was hooked straight away.”

During last seasons promotion push she attending many of the home games, always in the West Stand. When we drew Man Utd in the cup it was her first CTFC away experience. She explained, “that was an amazing day and it was then that I decided to get a season ticket and start travelling away.”

It is the family atmosphere prevailing around the club which keeps bringing her back. Gill explained ‘ as a fan here CTFC you really feel that you are part of the team and it is lovely that you can get quite close to the players, management team and back room staff.” In fact, she recalls our FA Cup trip to Bury this season as her favourite day out saying, “after a stunning away victory all the players came over to the fans and we shared a wonderful moment of celebration. You don’t get that kind of relationship when you follow a Premier League giant.”

Gill takes time out from her job pruning leylandii in Hereford to pose for the David Bailey of Burgess Hill!

True to her word, Gill and Brian are now West Stand season ticket holders in row B. Plus they are members of CTSA and have travelled to the far flung corners of the country. She said, “I really love our seats at home, we get a fantastic view of the action and the dug out.” As for travelling, she added, “CTSA are brilliant, very welcoming and a nice bunch of people and their price structure reflects excellent value for money.”

As to the climax of the season she said “even though recent results have tailed off slightly I am right behind the manager, team and club as we go searching for promotion. I will be attending all the remaining games.” She added “the playoffs would be a very nerve wracking experience so automatic promotion would be much preferable please!”

Gill and Brian are fantastic company during our long coach journeys and its always a pleasure to welcome them on board.

Words and pictures from Colin Bowman, CTSA Press Officer