WHEN WOLF PLAYED FOR GILLINGHAM

Thirty years ago, the Kent side gave a surprise debut to a 42-year-old Gladiator

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On a dark night at Priestfield in October 1994, one name leapt out on the teamsheet. Number five, Andy Arnott. Number six, Robin Trott. Number seven, ‘The Wolf’.

Real name Michael van Wijk, the star of TV show Gladiators was 42 years of age, with no previous football career to speak of, but was starting for Gillingham’s reserves at home to Cambridge. Because why not?

Back then, the Gills were languishing near the bottom of the fourth tier and struggling financially. Van Wijk was a household name after becoming Gladiators’ pantomime villain since its launch in 1992, and ran a gym not far from the area, so there were suggestions his appearance was an attempt to bring in much-needed gate money. The club insisted it wasn’t a publicity stunt – of course not, a long and prosperous Football League career could have been ahead of him.