Gillingham F.C overview

INTRO:

Gillingham F.C. founded in 1893 and based in Kent were initially known as New Brompton FC before being renamed in 1912. After joining the Football League in 1920, the club were voted out of the league in replace of Ipswich Town after 18 unsuccessful seasons and consequently reverted back down to the Southern League before being voted back in 1950 when the Football League expanded to 92 clubs from 88.

Originally, The Gills who play their football at the Priestfield Stadium played in black and white striped shirts but swapped to blue in the 1930’s which has been a key part of their identity as well as the white horse symbol on their badge representing the county of Kent.

As for the club’s success Gillingham have spent most of there history in the lower tiers of English Football and were crowned the champions of division four back in 1964 as well as winning League Two in the 2012/13 season. Away from the league system, the club had a memorable FA Cup run in 2000 where they reached the quarterfinals. The Gills highest ever finish came in 2002/03 where they came 11th in division one. Since the formation of the Football League, Gillingham spent one season in the Championship before being relegated down to the third tier and have not been able to reach those heights ever since.

MANAGER: JOHN COLEMAN

Gillingham appointed former Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman as head coach until the end of the season following the sacking of Mark Bonner after eight months in charge at the Priestfield Stadium.

Gillingham got off to a good start to the season being top of the table at the end of September, but after 10degeats in 15 games after, this left them 10 points short of the play-off places hence the sacking of Bonner.

As for Coleman, the 62-year-old knowns the league well after leading Accrington to promotion in 2006/07 and in 2017/18 also. He managed Accrington Stanley for twelve and a half years winning three promotions in his time and drove Stanley into the Football league becoming the club’s longest serving manager. Coleman was a prominent figure at National League club Rochdale when at the helm and become the third longest serving manager in England behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

3 KEY PLAYERS:

Jayden Clarke:

Clarke arrived at the Priestfield Stadium in January 2023 after impressing at non-league level with the clubs Bedfont Sports, Hendon and Dulwich Hamlet. After netting four times in 22 appearances for Hamlet, this earnt him the move to professional football where he made his debut for the Gills in April 2023 against Bradford City at Valley Parade.

The 23-year-old winger who came through the Tottenham Hotspur academy has been the brightest spark this season notching seven goals in the league in 26 games making him the club’s season top goalscorer so far. His good form has been pivotal in keeping alive their play-off hopes with standout performances against Tranmere back in September where he grabbed himself a brace, as well as scoring the winners in narrow 1-0 wins against Port Vale and Salford City.

Robbie McKenzie:

Mckenzie is in his fifth season with the Gills since being released from Hull City in August 2020 after coming through the Tigers’ academy since the age of 9. Having played for the Championship outfit 12 times in 2019/20, the defender made his Gillingham debut on the opening day of the 2020/21 season in a home defeat against his former club and made 41 appearances in all competitions where he found the net once in a 4-1 away win against Rochdale.

Since his first season, he has become part of the fixtures and fittings at the Priestfield Stadium and has come into good form early in this campaign in an attacking sense having scored four goals and providing one assist. Including netting the winning goal against Chesterfield in August and the highlight coming at home to Barrow in September where the 26-year-old scored and assisted.

Armani Little:

Little joined the Gills in the summer opting for a new challenge after turning down a new offer at his former club AFC Wimbledon. The 27-year-old contributed to eight goals in 44 appearances last season and has continued his promising form in the heart of the Gillingham midfield as a regular starter.

Armani began his career in the academy of Southampton and made his senior debut in the EFL Trophy against Peterborough in August 2017. After having brief stints at Woking and Oxford United, the midfielder spent three seasons with Torquay where he made 89 appearances scoring 19 times before joining Forest Green Rovers for an undisclosed fee in 2022.

The Portsmouth born man has had a good start to life under new boss John Coleman becoming the Gills’ mister reliable whilst also popping up with a couple of crucial goals including one against Tranmere in a 3-0 home victory.