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Gillingham Football Club trace their history back to 1893 with the formation of New Brompton FC when the local Gentry (if such a thing exists in Gillingham) purchased a plot of land, later to be known as Priestfield and started a club that would enter The Southern League in 1895.
In 1913, the name was changed to Gillingham and they became founder members of the Third Division of The Football League in 1920. Despite requiring five re-elections, they remained a League Club until 1938 when they were replaced by Ipswich Town. They returned to The Southern League and had considerable success before returning to the Football League when the old geographical Third Divisions were increased in membership in 1950. Promotion was achieved in 1964 and they survived in what is now League 1 until relegations in '71. The late eighties saw success under Keith Peacock but by the mid-nineties, the Club was in dire financial trouble, in administration and looking like going out of business until Paul Scally took over at the eleventh hour. Much has been achieved under the Chairmanship of Scally including a couple of Wembley appearances and the building of three new stands.
Last season saw them drop back into League 2 which resulted in the departure of manager Mark Stimson who is probably best remembered for leading The Gills to victory in the play-offs, a year earlier, over habitual failures Shrewsbury Town at Wembley.
For the coming season, they have re-appointed their former manager, player and fans favorite Andy Hessenthaler who had been busy guiding Dover to two promotions in three years.
Recent(ish) connections with The Bulls include players Guy Ipoua, Dean Beckwith, Richard Rose and Jon Wallis along with former physio, Wayne Jones.
Priestfield currently has a capacity of just under 11,500 and is all-seated with visiting supporters being housed in the temporary Brian Moore Stand at one end of the ground. This stand has no roof. Admission is expected to be around £22/23 for adults but only for tickets bought in advance – The Gills charge an extra £2/3 for "on the gate" admission!
The Medway area does have several attractive parts to it but unfortunately for Bulls' fans Gillingham is not one of them. On the plus side, we do get a chance to visit the "Will Adams" pub in the town center which has been included in the good book.
