Gillingham Football Club: Introduction

Gillingham Football Club, often simply referred to as “The Gills,” is a professional football club based in Gillingham, Kent, England. The club has a rich history, with its origins dating back over a century. Gillingham FC currently plays football in English League Two.

The staff at the Fanbase hope that the club and supporters taste further success soon. So, here’s our comprehensive overview of the club:

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

Founding and Early Years

• Founded: 1893
• Original Name: The club originally had the name New Brompton F.C. before changing it to Gillingham Football Club in 1912.
• Stadium: Gillingham plays its home matches at Priestfield Stadium, which has been their home since the club’s founding. The stadium has undergone several renovations over the years and currently has a capacity of around 11,582. The stadium can create a wonderful atmosphere when they get a big crowd. However, by languishing in the lower leagues for the most time, the stadium is rarely full.

Gillingham Football Club: League History

• Football League: Gillingham was first elected to the Football League in 1920 as a founding member of the Football League Third Division. However, they were not re-elected in 1938 and spent over a decade in non-league football before rejoining the Football League in 1950.
• League Success: The club has mainly spent its time in the lower divisions of the English Football League (EFL). The highest league position they have achieved was in the Championship (the second tier of English football) during the early 2000s, with their best finish being 11th in the 2002–03 season.

Cup Competitions

• Kent Senior Cup Winners: (1945-46, 1947-48)
• FA Cup: Gillingham has had several memorable FA Cup runs, with their best performance coming in the 1999-2000 season when they reached the quarter-finals.
• Football League Trophy: The club won the Football League Trophy (then known as the Associate Members’ Cup) in 1999–2000.

The club has much history, together with a few other minor achievements, but have not broken into the big time yet.

Gillingham Football Club: Rivalries

• Main Rivals: Gillingham’s traditional rivals include Swindon Town, Millwall, and Charlton Athletic. However, their most notable rivalry is with Swindon Town, often referred to as the “M4 Derby.”

Recent History

• League One and Two: In recent years, Gillingham has mostly competed in League One (the third tier of English football) and League Two (the fourth tier). The club has experienced both promotions and relegations between these divisions.
• Ownership: In recent years, the club has faced financial challenges, which have impacted its performance and ability to compete at higher levels. However, Gillingham has managed to maintain its status within the Football League.

Notable Players and Managers

• Andy Hessenthaler: A former player and manager who had a significant impact on the club both on and off the pitch.
• Tony Cascarino: A well-known striker who began his career at Gillingham before moving on to higher levels of English football.
• Steve Bruce: The former Manchester United defender started his managerial career at Gillingham.

Gillingham Football Club Colours and Crest

• Colours: The club’s traditional colours are blue and white, and this is reflected in their home kits.
• Crest: Gillingham’s crest features a prancing white horse, which is a nod to the county of Kent’s emblem.

Supporters

• Fan Base: Gillingham enjoys strong support from its local community in Kent. The fans are famous for their passionate backing of the team, particularly at home games at Priestfield Stadium.
• Supporters’ Groups: The club has several supporters’ groups that are actively involved in various activities, including organizing travel to away games and fundraising events.
• Rivalry: Gillingham have indeed no real rivals as such, but the following teams are what the supporters love to beat most: Millwall (who doesn’t), Swindon Town, and Maidstone United.

Youth Development

• Academy: Gillingham operates a youth academy that has produced several players who have gone on to have successful careers in professional football. The club places a strong emphasis on developing young talent from the local area.

Gillingham Football Club: Community Involvement

• Community Programs: The club has active involvement in various community initiatives. This includes youth football programs, health and fitness projects, and educational workshops. These programs are aimed at promoting football and healthy living within the local community.

Challenges and Ambitions

• Challenges: Gillingham has faced financial difficulties and the challenges of competing in the lower tiers of English football, where resources and revenue streams are more limited compared to higher divisions.
• Ambitions: Despite these challenges, the club aims to stabilize and eventually climb back up the football league ladder, with the ultimate goal of returning to the Championship.

Gillingham Football Club remains a significant part of the Kent community and English football. Furthermore, with a dedicated fan base and a rich history, hopefully the team can make the community proud again.

Gillingham Football Club Promotion

You can genuinely promote Gillingham here at the Football Fan Base because this is why we exist. We have the blog here with which to start promoting your favourite football team, of course.

One thing is for sure: if you don’t promote Gillingham here, someone will probably have a swipe at your favourite football club!

** Information updated on September 3, 2024.