Farewell, Galey: Priestfield fan-favourite Sam Gale departs Gillingham FC, signs for Barnsley

Gale came through the youth ranks at Priestfield to eventually break into the team two seasons ago. And through his performances, he quickly became a firm favourite with the Gillingham fanbase.

The Rainham End regularly serenaded him with chants of, "He's one of our own," with Gale showing the next generation of Gills youngsters exactly how to force your way into the senior setup, then become a mainstay in the Gills first team.

Despite Gillingham having a disappointing campaign overall, Gale was one of the rare standout players, with his performances in a Gills shirt earning him a nomination for League Two Young Player Of The Year.

And his performances didn't just impress the EFL's awards nominations panel. Clubs were clearly keeping tabs on him, too, and after Barnsley made their interest known, Gale decided the time was right to make the move and head north in a bid to take his career to the next level.

In keeping with a player whose relationship with the Gills fanbase has been particularly strong, Gale decided to deliver the news directly to the fans first, before any deal was officially announced, as he sat down in the Rainham End and recorded a farewell video message to the Gills faithful as he brought the curtain down on his Gills career after 67 senior appearances for the club.

"I just wanted to let you know first that I'm going to be leaving the club to pursue a new opportunity," he began.

"It's not been an easy decision. I've grown up here. I've been here since 13 years old. I came here as a kid. I'd fallen out of love with football slightly, and maybe the dream of playing professional football felt like it was slipping away. And I leave here a man who's played over 60 games for this football club when there was a point where I never thought I would play a professional game here.

"So I leave with a lot of pride, but also it's bitter. It's bittersweet. I've loved my time here. I love all the boys. I love the staff. I love the setup. But I feel like it's the right time for me.

"It's not going to be easy, but I feel like I need to do it for myself. And I know the football club will be in good hands."

His announcement as a Barnsley player came shortly after, with the news that he had signed for an undisclosed fee.