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Gillingham F.C.

Updated: 12/11/2025, 5:47:33 PM Wikipedia source

Gillingham Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent, England. The club's first team play home matches at Priestfield Stadium and competed in League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system, in the 2024–25 season. The club was founded in 1893 as New Brompton Football Club and renamed to Gillingham Football Club in 1912. Gillingham's first team played in the Southern League before joining the Football League in 1920. After 18 unsuccessful seasons, they were voted out of the league in favour of Ipswich Town at the end of the 1937–38 season, and returned to the Southern League. Gillingham returned to the Football League in 1950, when the competition was expanded from 88 to 92 clubs. Twice in the late 1980s, Gillingham came close to winning promotion to the second tier of English football, but a decline then set in and in 1993, they narrowly avoided relegation to the Football Conference. Between 2000 and 2005, Gillingham played in the second tier of the English football league system for the only time in the club's history, achieving a highest league finish of eleventh place in 2002–03. The club has twice won the championship of English football's fourth tier, in the 1963–64 and 2012–13 seasons, under managers Freddie Cox and Martin Allen respectively. Gillingham originally played in black and white striped shirts but switched to blue shirts in the 1930s. The club crest has traditionally depicted the white horse symbol of the county of Kent. Priestfield Stadium has been the club's home ground throughout its existence; it once held up to 30,000 fans but in the modern era the capacity is less than half that figure.

Infobox

Full name
Gillingham Football Club
Nickname
The Gills
Founded
1893; 132 years ago (1893) (as New Brompton)
Ground
Priestfield Stadium
Capacity
11,582
Owner
Brad Galinson
Chairman
Brad Galinson
Manager
Gareth Ainsworth
League
EFL League Two
2024–25
EFL League Two, 17th of 24
Website
gillinghamfootballclub.com

Tables

1
1
No.
1
Pos.
GK
Nation
ENG
Player
Glenn Morris
2
2
No.
2
Pos.
DF
Nation
ENG
Player
Remeao Hutton
3
3
No.
3
Pos.
DF
Nation
ENG
Player
Max Clark
4
4
No.
4
Pos.
DF
Nation
IRL
Player
Conor Masterson
5
5
No.
5
Pos.
DF
Nation
ENG
Player
Andy Smith
6
6
No.
6
Pos.
MF
Nation
ENG
Player
Ethan Coleman
7
7
No.
7
Pos.
FW
Nation
JAM
Player
Garath McCleary
8
8
No.
8
Pos.
MF
Nation
ENG
Player
Armani Little (captain)
9
9
No.
9
Pos.
FW
Nation
ENG
Player
Josh Andrews
10
10
No.
10
Pos.
MF
Nation
WAL
Player
Jonny Williams
11
11
No.
11
Pos.
MF
Nation
ENG
Player
Aaron Rowe
12
12
No.
12
Pos.
FW
Nation
ENG
Player
Seb Palmer-Houlden
13
13
No.
13
Pos.
GK
Nation
ENG
Player
Taite Holtam
14
14
No.
14
Pos.
MF
Nation
ENG
Player
Robbie McKenzie
15
15
No.
15
Pos.
DF
Nation
ENG
Player
Travis Akomeah (on loan from Watford)
16
16
No.
16
Pos.
DF
Nation
ENG
Player
Harry Webster
No.
Pos.
Nation
Player
1
GK
ENG
Glenn Morris
2
DF
ENG
Remeao Hutton
3
DF
ENG
Max Clark
4
DF
IRL
Conor Masterson
5
DF
ENG
Andy Smith
6
MF
ENG
Ethan Coleman
7
FW
JAM
Garath McCleary
8
MF
ENG
Armani Little (captain)
9
FW
ENG
Josh Andrews
10
MF
WAL
Jonny Williams
11
MF
ENG
Aaron Rowe
12
FW
ENG
Seb Palmer-Houlden
13
GK
ENG
Taite Holtam
14
MF
ENG
Robbie McKenzie
15
DF
ENG
Travis Akomeah (on loan from Watford)
16
DF
ENG
Harry Webster
17
17
No.
17
Pos.
FW
Nation
ENG
Player
Jonny Smith (on loan from Wigan Athletic)
18
18
No.
18
Pos.
FW
Nation
CYP
Player
Marcus Wyllie
19
19
No.
19
Pos.
FW
Nation
WAL
Player
Sam Vokes
20
20
No.
20
Pos.
FW
Nation
ENG
Player
Elliott Nevitt
21
21
No.
21
Pos.
MF
Nation
NIR
Player
Euan Williams
22
22
No.
22
Pos.
DF
Nation
IRL
Player
Shadrach Ogie
23
23
No.
23
Pos.
MF
Nation
ENG
Player
Bradley Dack
24
24
No.
24
Pos.
MF
Nation
ENG
Player
Harry Waldock
25
25
No.
25
Pos.
GK
Nation
ENG
Player
Jake Turner
26
26
No.
26
Pos.
MF
Nation
ENG
Player
Stanley Skipper
27
27
No.
27
Pos.
MF
Nation
MWI
Player
Nelson Khumbeni
28
28
No.
28
Pos.
MF
Nation
ENG
Player
Damien Theodore
29
29
No.
29
Pos.
FW
Nation
ENG
Player
Harry Bridle
30
30
No.
30
Pos.
DF
Nation
ENG
Player
Sam Gale
31
31
No.
31
Pos.
DF
Nation
ENG
Player
Logan Dobbs
32
32
No.
32
Pos.
DF
Nation
MSR
Player
Lenni Cirino
No.
Pos.
Nation
Player
17
FW
ENG
Jonny Smith (on loan from Wigan Athletic)
18
FW
CYP
Marcus Wyllie
19
FW
WAL
Sam Vokes
20
FW
ENG
Elliott Nevitt
21
MF
NIR
Euan Williams
22
DF
IRL
Shadrach Ogie
23
MF
ENG
Bradley Dack
24
MF
ENG
Harry Waldock
25
GK
ENG
Jake Turner
26
MF
ENG
Stanley Skipper
27
MF
MWI
Nelson Khumbeni
28
MF
ENG
Damien Theodore
29
FW
ENG
Harry Bridle
30
DF
ENG
Sam Gale
31
DF
ENG
Logan Dobbs
32
DF
MSR
Lenni Cirino
· Club officials › Management
Brad Galinson
Brad Galinson
Position
Chairman/Owner
Name
Brad Galinson
Brad Galinson, Shannon Hogan Galinson
Brad Galinson, Shannon Hogan Galinson
Position
Board of Directors
Name
Brad Galinson, Shannon Hogan Galinson
Position
Name
Chairman/Owner
Brad Galinson
Board of Directors
Brad Galinson, Shannon Hogan Galinson
· Club officials › Technical staff
Gareth Ainsworth
Gareth Ainsworth
Position
Manager
Name
Gareth Ainsworth
Richard Dobson
Richard Dobson
Position
Assistant manager
Name
Richard Dobson
Peter Gill
Peter Gill
Position
First-team coach
Name
Peter Gill
Deren Ibrahim
Deren Ibrahim
Position
Goalkeeping coach
Name
Deren Ibrahim
Andy Hessenthaler
Andy Hessenthaler
Position
Head of recruitment
Name
Andy Hessenthaler
Selim Gaygusuz
Selim Gaygusuz
Position
Recruitment co-ordinator
Name
Selim Gaygusuz
Paul Timson
Paul Timson
Position
Physiotherapist
Name
Paul Timson
James Russell
James Russell
Position
Fitness coach
Name
James Russell
Jake Griffiths
Jake Griffiths
Position
First team strength and conditioning
Name
Jake Griffiths
Brad Haywood
Brad Haywood
Position
Kit manager
Name
Brad Haywood
Bryan Bull
Bryan Bull
Position
Academy Manager
Name
Bryan Bull
Ebun Thomas
Ebun Thomas
Position
Head of academy coaching
Name
Ebun Thomas
Joe Dunne
Joe Dunne
Position
Youth team manager
Name
Joe Dunne
Jason Lillis
Jason Lillis
Position
Head of academy education
Name
Jason Lillis
Position
Name
Manager
Gareth Ainsworth
Assistant manager
Richard Dobson
First-team coach
Peter Gill
Goalkeeping coach
Deren Ibrahim
Head of recruitment
Andy Hessenthaler
Recruitment co-ordinator
Selim Gaygusuz
Physiotherapist
Paul Timson
Fitness coach
James Russell
First team strength and conditioning
Jake Griffiths
Kit manager
Brad Haywood
Academy Manager
Bryan Bull
Head of academy coaching
Ebun Thomas
Youth team manager
Joe Dunne
Head of academy education
Jason Lillis

References

  1. Third Division South from 1920 to 1958, Third Division from 1958 to 1992, Second Division from 1992 to 2004, League One
  2. Fourth Division from 1958 to 1992, Third Division from 1992 to 2004, Football League Two since 2004
  3. "Gillingham"
    https://www.efl.com/clubs-and-competitions/sky-bet-league-one/clubs/gillingham/
  4. Triggs 1984, p. 1.
  5. Triggs 1984, p. 8.
  6. Triggs 1984, p. 4.
  7. Triggs 1984, p. 5.
  8. "Gillingham"
    https://www.fchd.info/GILLINGH.HTM
  9. Triggs 1984, p. 6.
  10. Elligate 2009, p. 102.
  11. Triggs 1984, p. 10.
  12. Triggs 1984, p. 13.
  13. Triggs 1984, p. 16.
  14. Triggs 1984, p. 19.
  15. Triggs 1984, p. 26.
  16. Triggs 1984, p. 54.
  17. "Gillingham FC History (1893– )"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120215161623/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/ClubHistory/0%2C%2C10416%2C00.html
  18. Triggs 2001, p. 82.
  19. The Times
    https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117506930/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=32a48136
  20. The Times
    https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117544809/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=e43f2e13
  21. Elligate 2009, p. 105.
  22. The Guardian
    https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999921/the-guardian/
  23. The Times
    https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0500231797/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=5f472bb6
  24. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/apr/26/newsstory.sport1
  25. "Taylor-made for top job"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2002/984825.stm
  26. "Second time lucky for Gills"
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/767702.stm
  27. "Hessenthaler steps down at Gills"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4035041.stm
  28. "Gills unveil Ternent as manager"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4071489.stm
  29. "Leeds 2–1 Gillingham"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/7377686.stm
  30. "Gillingham 1–0 Shrewsbury"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/8048284.stm
  31. "Wycombe 3–0 Gillingham"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/8632662.stm
  32. "Manager Mark Stimson leaves Gillingham"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/8672351.stm
  33. "Andy Hessenthaler named new Gillingham Manager"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/8698075.stm
  34. KentOnline
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/manager-martin-allen-pays-tribut-a53675/
  35. KentOnline
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/the-day-gills-won-the-league-in-pictures-225911/
  36. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/peter-taylor-drafted-in-following-sacking-of-martin-allen-at-gillingham-8877756.html
  37. "Gillingham 0–2 Rotherham United"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61198302
  38. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64079960
  39. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/gillingham-brad-galinson-279806/
  40. "Ground history for Gillingham"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071127144542/http://www.soccerbase.com/grounds_history.sd?teamid=1098
  41. "Local history: Gillingham Football Club"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20040619081207/http://www.medway.gov.uk/index/leisure/localhistory/timeline/17909/18624-2.htm
  42. "The Changing Face of KRBS Priestfield"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120215162033/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/PriestfieldStadium/0%2C%2C10416%2C00.html
  43. "Opposition: Gillingham"
    https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2020/november/gillingham-opposition/
  44. "Gillingham to change stadium name"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/6465713.stm
  45. "New sponsor named..."
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120616062914/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/PressReleases/0%2C%2C10416~2355939%2C00.html
  46. "Gillingham – Priestfield Stadium"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120616062914/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/PressReleases/0%2C%2C10416~2355939%2C00.html
  47. "League One 2018/2019 » Attendance » Home matches"
    https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co63/se28586/attendance/
  48. "Powell impressed with Kent crowd"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/women/4931222.stm
  49. "Gillingham ordered to leave training ground by council"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18703824
  50. Bradley & Triggs 1994, p. 54.
  51. Bradley & Triggs 1994, p. 92.
  52. "Shoot-out success for City"
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/356672.stm
  53. "Shirty fans win kit battle"
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/3004886.stm
  54. "Gills Go Back to Black"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120616061528/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10416~1985247%2C00.html
  55. "Back in Blue"
    http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/article/back-in-blue-853582.aspx
  56. Historical Football Kits
    http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Gillingham/Gillingham.htm
  57. "Movie blockbuster to score with Gills fans plot"
    https://archive.today/20130422064331/http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/movie_blockbuster_to_score_with_gills_fans_plot_1_1046565
  58. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-forgotten-club-ready-to-surprise-1096627.html
  59. Elligate 2009, p. 152.
  60. Triggs 2001, pp. 87, 134, 140, 170, 211, 292.
  61. "Fans could decide kit colour"
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/2982882.stm
  62. Building
    https://www.building.co.uk/gillingham-fc-signs-250000-shirt-sponsor--mhs-homes/3034639.article
  63. "Automatic Retailing sponsor Gills"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120616061940/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/PressReleases/0%2C%2C10416~2082617%2C00.html
  64. "New sponsor named"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120130190448/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/PressReleases/0%2C%2C10416~2355939%2C00.html
  65. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/gills-confirms-new-sponsor-182554/
  66. Gillingham F.C
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2023/june/bauvill-become-new-front-of-shirt-sponsor
  67. "First Team"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/squad/56
  68. "Past Masters - Brian Yeo"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2012/july/past-masters---brian-yeo/
  69. "Choose Your Greatest XI"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2013/august/choose-your-greatest-xi/
  70. Triggs 2001, p. 336.
  71. "Past Masters - Dick Tydeman"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2012/july/past-masters---dick-tydeman/
  72. Triggs 2001, p. 171.
  73. Gillingham Football Club 1975-76 Supporters Handbook
  74. "Vote For Your Greatest Centre-Half"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2013/october/vote-for-your-greatest-centre-half/
  75. Triggs 2001, p. 331.
  76. "Vote for Your Greatest Left Back"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2013/november/vote-for-your-greatest-left-back/
  77. Kent Evening Post
  78. Triggs 2001, p. 289.
  79. "On This Day... - News - Gillingham"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2013/january/on-this-day23/
  80. "Choose Your Greatest No.2"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2013/september/choose-your-greatest-no.2/
  81. "Choose Your Greatest Striker"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2014/march/choose-your-greatest-striker/
  82. Triggs 2001, p. 251.
  83. Triggs 2001, p. 326.
  84. Triggs 2001, p. 199.
  85. Triggs 2001, p. 89.
  86. Triggs 2001, p. 139.
  87. Kent Evening Post
  88. Triggs 2001, p. 306.
  89. Official Matchday Magazine of Gillingham Football Club
  90. Triggs 1999, p. 128.
  91. "Super Bob to Launch Legends Lounge"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2013/august/super-bob-to-launch-legends-lounge/
  92. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/hessenthaler-quits-as-gills-boss-a15863/
  93. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/smith-signs-four-year-contract-a101597/
  94. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/gills-skipper-collects-glitterin-a3121/
  95. "Gillingham 2-1 Palace"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2967953.stm
  96. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/gills-only-big-fee-would-buy-sp-a13478/
  97. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/players-sweat-on-futures-a18306/
  98. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/keeper-brown-wins-player-accolad-a23952/
  99. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/lions-try-to-tempt-gills-midfiel-a29809/
  100. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/royce-crowned-player-of-the-year-a37429/
  101. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/simon-king-is-named-gillingham-p-a98422/
  102. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/andy-barcham-collects-four-troph-a85385/
  103. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/gillingham-striker-cody-mcdonald-a75051/
  104. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/barrett-named-gills-player-of-the-year-112/
  105. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/nelson-wins-top-award-16794/
  106. "John Egan Wins Player of the Year"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2015/may/john-egan-wins-player-of-the-year/
  107. "Bradley Dack Dominates the Player of the Year Awards"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2016/may/bradley-dack-dominates-the-player-of-the-year-awards/
  108. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/gillingham-wright-player-of-year-124440/
  109. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/byrne-cleans-up-at-gills-awards-182573/
  110. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/defender-takes-top-prize-204045/
  111. "Connor Ogilvie named Player of the Year"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2020/july/poty-2020-winners/
  112. "Kyle Dempsey named Player of the Year"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2021/may/kyle-dempsey-named-player-of-the-year/
  113. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/gillingham-supporters-player-of-the-year-2021-22-266472/
  114. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/gillingham-player-of-the-year-2023-286260/
  115. Gillingham F.C
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2024/april/player-of-the-year-2024/
  116. www.gillinghamfootballclub.com
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/player-year-winners-20242025
  117. "Who's Who"
    https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/club/whos-who/
  118. Bradley & Triggs 1994, p. 20.
  119. "Manager History for Gillingham"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120622070220/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/home.sd
  120. Bradley & Triggs 1994, p. 394.
  121. Bradley & Triggs 1994, p. 396.
  122. Bradley & Triggs 1994, p. 397.
  123. Bradley & Triggs 1994, p. 398.
  124. "Taylor-made for top job"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2002/984825.stm
  125. Sporting Life
    https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000893/19000509/065/0003
  126. Triggs 2001, p. 158.
  127. "All Time Gillingham Records & Achievements"
    http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1098&teamTabs=records
  128. Triggs 2001, p. 344.
  129. Triggs 2001, p. 226.
  130. Triggs 2001, p. 349.
  131. "Rivalry Uncovered!"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090304004344/http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf
  132. "Millwall 1–2 Gillingham"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1670888.stm
  133. "Gillingham vs Swindon Town"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110711093335/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10416~30787%2C00.html
  134. "Town set to pay price for crowd trouble"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100722063307/http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2006/1/17/259405.html
  135. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/butlers-hattrick-lifts-gillingham-to-top-1323335.html
  136. BBC News
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/199637.stm
  137. Kent Online
    https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kmtv/video/kent-tonight-special-the-kent-derby-preview-61714/
  138. Elligate 2009, p. 22.
  139. Elligate 2009, p. 54.
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