Gillingham last met Charlton in competitive action in a memorable FA Cup clash in January 2004 and it was the scene for an unlikely figure to take centre stage.

The Gills, then under the management of Andy Hessenthaler, beat a Charlton side flying high in the Premiership and fans will forever connect the win to the name of Bertrand Bossu.

Frenchman Bossu had signed in the summer from non-league Hayes as back-up but with regular keeper Jason Brown injured and Birmingham’s on-loan Nico Vaesen cup-tied, there was only one man left for the job.

Bossu turned in a man-of-the-match performance to deny Charlton and make it a memorable day in the history of the club.

"I had to play and it turned out well," recalled Bossu this week.

"Of course I was nervous and Charlton were third in the Premier League at the time and had just beaten Chelsea 4-2.

"The first touch I had was picking the ball up out of the back of the net after Ian Cox scored an own goal in the first minute.

"After the game finished, I just couldn’t believe we had beaten them and it did take a while to sink in." Bossu rates that match up there with the best, on a par with a clean sheet he achieved against Rangers while playing for Aberdeen.

A move to Scotland came after stints with Walsall and Darlington but he still remembers his time at Gillingham with particular fondness.

"Every player is made for a club and if it was down to me, I would have carried on playing for Gillingham whatever league they were in," he said.

"Even when I went back as a substitute for Walsall I got a good reception and appreciate that.

"I will always remember the time at Gillingham."