Bertrand Bossu only played eight games for Gillingham but the power of the FA Cup means his name has gone down in history. It’s coming up to 20 years since Gillingham last met Charlton in an FA Cup match - a memorable third-round meeting at Priestfield that saw the Blue boys win 3-2, thanks in part to the heroics of Frenchman Bossu.
Gillingham are set to host Charlton on Saturday in the second round of this year’s FA Cup competition. January 3, 2004 was the date of the infamous FA Cup fixture at ME7, which pitted the Gills against a Charlton side who at the time were riding high in the Premiership, sitting fourth in the top-flight ahead of the clash which was broadcast on Match of the Day.
Division 1 Gills even gave Charlton a headstart, Ian Cox finding his own net with less than a minute played after Bossu - the club’s fourth-choice keeper - started the game in nervy fashion, flapping at a cross to give his defender no help.
Bossu, then 23, was selected to play with their other three senior keepers unavailable, two out injured and loan man Nico Vaesen not given permission to play.