Gillingham FC
Gillingham Football Club is located to the north-west of the county of Kent in the South East of England, and about 45 minutes drive from the centre of London and London Gatwick Airport (M25 permitting). The Channel Tunnel linking the UK to France and Europe is less than 40-minutes distance and the Ashford International Rail Terminal is a 25-minute drive.
Generally there is a very friendly atmosphere between rival fans and there is seldom any problems, unless of course you mention Swindon, Fulham or Millwall. Seriously Gills are a family club and will not tolerate any form of trouble, verbal or physical.
Since Paul Scally became chairman and chief executive after rescuing the club from bankruptcy, the club has gone from strength to strength gaining promotion from the Third Division in 1995/96 and finally achieving the historic promotion to Division One for the first time at the end of the 1999/2000 season, via the play-offs. The first three seasons were comfortable, with 13th,12th and 11th place finishes. Survival was only secured in 2003/04 by goal difference.
Formed in 1893, Priestfield Stadium has been the clubs home for over 100 years and during that time the structure has changed a few times. A massive rebuilding programme has seen three new all-seater stands appear at the site. The Gordon Road Stand, opened in 1996, is a one tier (thanks to local residents) holding some 2,600 fans and was built at a cost of £2.2 million.
The beginning of the 1998/99 season saw the demolition of the famous Rainham End terrace which houses probably the most loyal and certainly the loudest of Gills fans. This is now a 2,500 all-seater structure commanding some outstanding views across the ground and in some places the river estuary.
The Brian Moore Stand is a temporary stand and is 'home' to all our visitors and will hold up to 1,200 away fans in a segregated area adjacent to the Medway Stand.
Additional Information
Nickname: The Gills
Matchday Programme: £2.50
Telephone number: 01634 300000
Fax number: 01634 850986
E-mail address: info@gillinghamfootballclub.com
A Brief History and Honours
Formed:
1893 as New Brompton. Adopted present title in 1913.
Ground: Priestfield Stadium
Player-Manager: Andy Hessenthaler
First Team Coach: Wayne Jones
Head Physio: Ken Steggles
Record Attendance:
23,002 v QPR. (F.A. Cup) 10 January 1948.
Record Receipts:
£105,000 v Sheffield Wednesday, FA. Cup 5th round, January 2000.
Colours 2004/05:
Home Colours - Blue shirts/White collar & sleeves, Blue shorts, Blue/White socks.
Away (1) - Yellow shirt/blue collar, Yellow shorts, yellow socks
Away (2) Black shirt/white collar, Black shorts, Black socks.
League History:
Football League 1920-38 and 1950 to date.
Southern League 1894-1920, 1938-39 and 1946-50.
Kent League 1944-49.
First Team Honours:
Promoted to League Division One May 2000
League Division Two play-off winners 1999-2000; Division Two play-off runners up 1998-1999
League Division Four Champions 1963-64; runners up 1973-74,
League Division Three runners-up 1995-96
Southern League Champions 1946-47, 1948-49; runners up 1947-48,
Southern League Division Two Champions 1894-95,
Southern League Cup Winners 1946-47.
F.A. Cup: Best Season 1999-2000 reached 6th round (Quarter Finals)
League Cup: 1963-1964 reached fourth round
Record Victories:
10-0 v Chesterfield (Div 3) September 1987, 12-1 v Gloucester City (Southern League), November 1946.
Record Defeats: 2-9 v Nottingham Forest (Div 3 South) November 1950
Record Goalscorer:
Brian Yeo who in 1973-74 equalled Ernie Morgan`s 1954-55 record of 31 Football League Goals in a season.
Most Goals in a Game:
Hughie Russell 9 v Gloucester City (Southern League) Nov 1946.
Most goals in a Career: Brian Yeo 149 (136 Football League) 1963-75.
Record Appearances: Ron Hillyard 657 (League and Cup) 1974-90.
Record Transfer Fee Paid:
£600,000 to Reading for Carl Asaba, July 1998.
Received:
£1,500,000 from Manchester City for Robert Taylor, November 1999.
Capped Players (i.e. caps obtained while at the club):
Tony Cascarino 3 (from 84) for Republic of Ireland.
Mama Sidibe, 1 for Mali.
Post War Managers:
Archie Clark 1939-57,
Harry Barratt 1957-62,
Freddie Cox 1962-66,
Basil Hayward 1966-71,
Andy Nelson 1971-74,
Len Ashurst 1974-75,
Gerry Summers 1975-81,
Keith Peacock 1981-87,
Paul Taylor 1987-88,
Keith Burkinshaw 1988-89,
Damien Richardson 1989-92,
Glenn Roeder 1992-93,
Mike Flanagan 1993-95,
Neil Smillie 1995,
Tony Pulis 1995-99,
Peter Taylor 1999 - 2000,
Andy Hessenthaler 2000 - present day
How Much to see the Gills?
Prices change season-by-season, although the club now offer a decent student rate (as of 2003/04).
For new prices, check out: www.gillinghamfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Prices/0,,10416,00.html. (Need to register first)
Where to Eat and Drink
Nearly all of the pubs and fast food outlets can be located by visiting: http://www.streetmap.co.uk
and entering the postcode ME7 4DD (postcode of Gillingham F.C.)
The Cricketers - Sturdee Avenue, Gillingham
The Star - Watling Street, Gillingham
The Plough, Lower Rainham Road
The Napier Arms, Britton Street, Gillingham - the pub where Gillingham F.C. were formed back in 1893.
The Blues Rock Cafe is open for a drink and food daily - Mon to Fri 5.30pm to 11pm, Sat 11am to 11pm and Sun 12 noon to 10.30pm. This facility is only open to members.
Eating before the Game and Stadium Catering
Priestfield Stadium offers the usual burgers, hot dogs, pies and chips, which are OK. Licensed bars are open before the game (close 15 minutes before kick off) offering a range of beers (about £2 a pint) and soft drinks.
The Essential Gills Chant Guide
Here are perhaps the most heard songs of GFC. The Rainham End generally start the chants and other areas of the ground join in. Although the "Prawn Sandwich" contingent at Priestfield has seriously risen, and if the side go down then expect eerie silence from everywhere bar the Rainham End.
CELERY (sung at Gills legend Jim Stannard)
Celery!
Celery!
We can win with a bunch of celery.
Celery!
Celery!
If she don't come
We'll tickle her bum
With a bunch of celery.
NO ONE LIKES US, WE DON'T CARE
We are Gillingham
Super Gillingham
We are Gillingham
From Medway.
(Repeat)
HESSENTHALER'S BARMY ARMY
Hessenthaler's barmy army!
(clap x4)
Hessenthalers barmy army!
(clap x4)
(Repeat, repeat, repeat!)
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10 May 08 
Bristol City Football Club