Sam Gale’s reaction to a goalless draw for Gillingham against Crewe and the fans singing his name at Priestfield Stadium

Gillingham’s young defender Sam Gale had the fans at Priestfield singing his name on Saturday and he was loving every minute.

The 20-year-old defender has quickly impressed after being given a run in the team by manager John Coleman - who after Saturday said the scouts would be queuing up if his good form continued.

Listening to the fans sing about him during a positive performance against Crewe on Saturday was a dream come true.

He said: “To hear my name sung around the stadium that, since the age of 13, I’ve kind of grown up watching games in and being a ball boy and then hearing those people that I've sat around for years sing my name is amazing.

“It’s really cool. Honestly, it gives me chills. At the end of the game I was fuming about the result but then I hear them sing my name and it's like, ‘Wow, that is amazing’. It doesn't get better than that.”

Home fans haven’t had a win to celebrate since beating Salford City in early December but they appreciated the team’s effort against Crewe.

With 19 shots on goal and a dominant second half, it was a performance that deserved three points. The supporters responded with a rousing send-off.

“I really experienced Gillingham and Priestfield at its best,” said the centre-half.

“They were roaring us on the whole time.

“I was gutted with the result but I was also like, ‘Wow, I've just experienced Priestfield at its best’, which was a really cool experience.”

A goalless draw left the Gills sitting 19th in League 2 but the performance was something Gale hopes they can build on.

It came after a positive midweek 1-1 draw at Walsall, two games that have helped to bring the players and fans back closer together after a weekend to forget at Barrow.

Gale said: “I think the performance