1998–99 Gillingham F.C. season

English football club season February 2015 February 2015 Gillingham 1998–99 Tony Pulis Paul Scally Second Division 4th FA Cup First round League Cup First round League Trophy Southern section semi-final Carl Asaba (20) Carl Asaba (22) 10,400 (v Manchester City, 17 April 1999) 4,575 (v Wycombe Wanderers, 10 October 1998) _black_stripes _blackstripes_thin4 _black_stripes _bluesides _blueline 0000ff 0000ff 0000ff 000000 000000 _black_stripes _blackstripes_thin4 _black_stripes _redsides _redline ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 000000 000000 1997–98 1999–2000 During the 1998–99 English football season, Gillingham F.C. competed in the Football League Second Division, the third tier of the English football league system. It was the 67th season in which Gillingham competed in the Football League, and the 49th since the club was voted back into the league in 1950. The club signed two new forwards, each for a new club record transfer fee, but started the season in poor form, winning only one of the first eight league games. The team then went on a much-improved run, being undefeated for 17 league games, and began challenging for promotion to the Football League First Division. Gillingham finished the regular season in fourth place in the Second Division, qualifying for the play-offs for promotion to the First Division. After defeating Preston North End in the semi-finals, they played Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in the final. Gillingham were 2–0 up with less than ten minutes remaining but conceded two extremely late goals, and Manchester City won the subsequent penalty shoot-out to gain promotion. Gillingham also reached the southern section semi-final of the Football League Trophy, but were eliminated from both the FA Cup and the Football League Cup in the first round. The team played 56 competitive matches, winning 26, drawing 16 (including the play-off final), and losing 14. Carl Asaba was the team's leading goalscorer with 22 goals. Paul Smith made the most appearances during the season, playing in 54 of the team's 56 matches. The highest attendance recorded at the club's home ground, Priestfield Stadium, was 10,400 for the visit of Manchester City. Despite leading the team to the play-off final, manager Tony Pulis was dismissed from his job shortly afterwards amid allegations of gross misconduct. He sued the club for unfair dismissal and accepted an out-of-court settlement. Background and pre-season thumb|right|upright|alt=Football manager Tony Pulis|Gillingham manager Tony Pulis (pictured in 2014) was the club's manager for a fourth season. The 1998–99 season was Gillingham's 67th in the Football League and the 49th since the club was elected back into the League in 1950 after being voted out in 1938. It was Gillingham's third consecutive season in the Football League Second Division, the third tier of the English football league system.Brown 2003 106–109 The club had never reached the second level of English football in its history.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/767702.stm Second time lucky for Gills BBC News 6 August 2008 28 May 2000 3 March 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030303203928/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/767702.stm live In the previous season, Gillingham had finished eighth, tying on points with three other teams for the last two places in the play-offs for promotion to the First Division, but missing out, having scored the fewest goals of the four teams.Brown 2003 83–90, 114 Tony Pulis served as manager for a fourth season, having been appointed in 1995 after chairman Paul Scally purchased the club.Brown 1998 11Triggs 2001 265 Andy Hessenthaler was the team's captain.Elligate 2009 76 There were significant changes to the playing squad ahead of the season, and the records for the highest transfer fees received and paid by Gillingham were both broken. Shortly after the end of the 1997–98 season, Jimmy Corbett, an attacking midfielder who had debuted in August 1997 at the age of 17, moved to FA Premier League club Blackburn Rovers for an initial fee of £525,000 (equivalent to £UK 0.525 1995 2 million in UK); clauses in the contract meant that the fee had the potential to nearly double if Corbett played more than a specified number of games at the higher level. A succession of injuries, however, limited his playing time at Blackburn and Gillingham received no further money.Elligate 2009 92Triggs 2001 95 In June, Ade Akinbiyi, the team's top goalscorer in the previous season, joined Bristol City of the First Division for £1.2 million (equivalent to £UK 1.2 1995 1 million in UK), a new record for the highest transfer fee received by the club.Triggs 2001 41 Gillingham's record for the highest transfer fee paid out was broken by the signing of Robert Taylor from Brentford for a fee of UK 500,000 1995 eq yes £ -4.Elligate 2009 121Triggs 2001 313 Gillingham also signed John Hodge from Walsall, and Mark Saunders and Paul Williams, both from Plymouth Argyle.Triggs 2001 161, 285, 338 The club adopted a new first-choice kit, changing from plain blue shirts to blue and black stripes,Rollin Rollin 1999 174 a style previously worn in the 1995–96 season. In his programme notes for the first match of the season, Scally stated that the fact that the team had won promotion in that season wearing striped shirts was a factor in the decision to adopt them again.Gillingham Vs Walsall Matchday Programme 3 A Word from the Chairman 8 August 1998 Paul Scally The away shirts, to be worn in the event of a clash of colours with the home team, were red and black stripes.Rollin Rollin 1999 174 The team prepared for the new season with a number of friendly matches, including one against Crystal Palace, who had played in the FA Premier League in the previous season.Gillingham Vs Walsall Matchday Programme 52 Action Extra 8 August 1998 Grant Falvey Second Division thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Andy Hessenthaler|Andy Hessenthaler (pictured in 2009) captained Gillingham during the 1998–99 season. August–December Gillingham began the Second Division season with a home game against Walsall and lost 1–0. The next three games all resulted in draws, after which Gillingham were in 18th place in the 24-team league table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/29-august-1998/ League Division 2 table after close of play on 29 August 1998 11v11 AFS Enterprises 4 October 2021 4 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211004183445/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/29-august-1998/ live The goalless draw against Bristol Rovers was marred by a brawl involving almost every player on the pitch, after which Gillingham's Barry Ashby and Adrian Pennock were both sent off, along with two Rovers players. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A72140542/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=bbc6d49e The Times 30 September 2021 Gale Four sent off; Football round-up 23 August 1998 Peter Wilson subscription 6 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153251/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA72140542&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=bbc6d49e live Forward Carl Asaba made his debut in the 2–2 draw away to Blackpool on 29 August, having joined the club the previous day from Reading for a fee of £600,000 (equivalent to £UK 0.6 1995 1 million in UK), another new club record.Elligate 2009 132Triggs 2001 45 Gillingham achieved their first victory of the season at the fifth attempt, defeating Wrexham 4–0; Asaba scored his first goal since joining the club and the result took the team up to 12th in the table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/01-september-1998/ League Division 2 table after close of play on 1 September 1998 11v11 AFS Enterprises 10 November 2021 10 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211110131413/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/01-september-1998/ live Gillingham then lost their next two games, however, and again dropped to 18th.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/08-september-1998/ League Division 2 table after close of play on 8 September 1998 11v11 AFS Enterprises 4 October 2021 4 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211004183444/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/08-september-1998/ live The 1–1 draw against Colchester United on 12 September marked the start of an unbeaten run which would last for the remainder of the year. Two weeks later, Gillingham drew 1–1 away to Preston North End; before the game the players were presented to Sepp Blatter, president of world football's governing body FIFA, who was in attendance to open the National Football Museum, located at Preston's Deepdale stadium.Elligate 2009 149 https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A76073067/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=1b6c080e The Guardian Adam Sills 5 6 October 2021 Gale Football: Second Division: Blatter sitting pretty at gusty North End: Preston North End 1 Gillingham 1 28 September 1998 subscription 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153256/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA76073067&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=1b6c080e live The following game, a 2–2 draw at home to Macclesfield Town, was preceded by the arrival by helicopter of the club's new mascot, Tommy T. Trewblu.Elligate 2009 152 Between 20 October and 10 November, Asaba scored in five consecutive games, four of which resulted in victories, taking his total number of league goals to ten.Rollin Rollin 1999 176 Taylor, however, had only scored three league goals and was receiving negative reactions from some Gillingham supporters, who considered him out of shape and his large transfer fee a waste of money.Triggs 2001 313 On 21 November, Gillingham played away to Manchester City, who were playing in the third tier of the English football league system for the first time in their history.Mitchell 2013 183 The match, the first between the two clubs since 1908, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66724458/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=1d9012b4 25 Glenn Moore The Independent 6 October 2021 Gale Football: City's Maine Road to nowhere; Football: Another season of slumming among the League's lower orders already faces Royle's retinue 24 November 1998 subscription 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153325/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66724458&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=1d9012b4 live resulted in a 0–0 draw and drew a crowd of 26,529, by far the largest crowd to watch a game involving Gillingham during the regular 1998–99 league season.Rollin Rollin 1999 176 Asaba scored the team's first hat-trick of the season on 19 December in a 4–0 victory over Notts County.Rollin Rollin 1999 176 Gillingham ended 1998 with a 1–1 draw at home to Millwall in front of 9,221 fans, the season's largest attendance at Priestfield Stadium to date.Rollin Rollin 1999 176 https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A59707022/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=7a33f163 35 The Times Nick Szczepanik 6 October 2021 Gale Neill strike damages Gillingham expectations; Football 30 December 1998 subscription 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153256/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA59707022&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=7a33f163 live It was Gillingham's 16th consecutive league game without defeat,Rollin Rollin 1999 176 and left them sixth in the table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/29-december-1998/ League Division 2 table after close of play on 29 December 1998 11v11 AFS Enterprises 4 October 2021 4 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211004183535/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/29-december-1998/ live January–May The team won their first game of 1999, defeating Blackpool 1–0 to extend their unbeaten league run to 17 games and move up to fifth place.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/02-january-1999/ League Division 2 table after close of play on 2 January 1999 11v11 AFS Enterprises 4 October 2021 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153321/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/02-january-1999/ live Seven days later, however, Gillingham were defeated in the league for the first time since September, losing 2–1 away to Walsall.Rollin Rollin 1999 176 https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A58022726/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=ebce83cc 31 The Times 30 September 2021 Gale Walsall in distinguished company; Football 11 January 1999 Bill Edgar subscription 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153328/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA58022726&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=ebce83cc live In each of the next three matches the team scored three goals, resulting in two wins and a draw, which kept Gillingham in the top six of the table.Rollin Rollin 1999 176https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/06-february-1999/ League Division 2 table after close of play on 6 February 1999 11v11 AFS Enterprises 4 October 2021 6 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211006155144/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/06-february-1999/ live On 20 February, Asaba scored Gillingham's goal in a 1–1 draw with Colchester United but was then sent off for apparently head-butting Colchester's David Greene. Two weeks later, however, the red card was overturned by a special commission convened by the Football Association, the sport's governing body in England, based on evidence provided by police officers present at the game.Elligate 2009 45 In the final game of February, Gillingham recorded their best-ever Football League win away from home when they beat Burnley 5–0 at Turf Moor; Taylor scored all five goals. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66637528/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=d4f0ce25 2 The Independent 30 September 2021 Gale Football: Incredible five goal-haul is Taylor-made 28 February 1999 subscription 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153301/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66637528&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=d4f0ce25 live https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A58005261/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=86a7da5b 7 The Sunday Times Peter Wilson 6 October 2021 Gale Five for Taylor; Football Round-up 28 February 1999 subscription 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153300/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA58005261&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=86a7da5b live It was the first time that a Gillingham player had scored as many goals in a single match since Fred Cheesmur scored six against Merthyr Town in 1930.Elligate 2009 42 In the following match, Taylor scored in the final minute to gain the team a draw against fellow promotion contenders Preston North End. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66635881/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=32acb63a 6 The Independent on Sunday 6 October 2021 Gale Football: Taylor headline news 7 March 1999 subscription 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153256/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66635881&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=32acb63a live https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A76406809/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=2dd04188 7 The Observer Amy Lawrence 6 October 2021 Gale Football: Taylor on target in nick of time 7 March 1999 subscription 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153300/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA76406809&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=2dd04188 live thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Kevin Lisbie|Kevin Lisbie (pictured in 2013) joined Gillingham on loan from Charlton Athletic in the latter portion of the season. In March, Gillingham lost 4–1 to Wigan Athletic, the most goals conceded by the team in a single game during the season, but followed it up with a 4–0 win over Lincoln City. Kevin Lisbie, signed on loan from Charlton Athletic of the Premier League, scored in both games.Triggs 2001 201 Gillingham began the month of April with three consecutive victories; this included a win at home to Bournemouth with goals from Hessenthaler and Lisbie.27 https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66604561/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=1c8310d2 The Independent Peter Lansley 6 October 2021 Gale Football: Gillingham 2 Bournemouth 1–Lisbie lifts Gillingham 10 April 1999 subscription 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153257/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66604561&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=1c8310d2 live The game was shown live by Sky TV, the first time the broadcaster had televised a game from Priestfield.Elligate 2009 61 After this run, Gillingham were fourth in the table, two places and three points below the automatic promotion positions.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/09-april-1999/ League Division 2 table after close of play on 9 April 1999 11v11 AFS Enterprises 4 October 2021 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153338/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/09-april-1999/ live They then lost the next three games, however. Although Gillingham only dropped one position in the table as a result, they were now nine points below second place with three games remaining and a maximum of nine more points available.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/20-april-1999/ League Division 2 table after close of play on 20 April 1999 11v11 AFS Enterprises 4 October 2021 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153335/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/20-april-1999/ live This run of defeats included Gillingham's first home defeat of the season, a 2–0 loss to Manchester City which drew an attendance of 10,400, the largest crowd to attend a match at Priestfield during the season.Rollin Rollin 1999 176 https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A75947245/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=cfaf60ba 5 The Guardian Jeremy Alexander 6 October 2021 Gale Football: Nationwide Second Division: Cooke tour de force helps City journey in hope 19 April 1999 subscription 22 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240922195120/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA75947245&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=cfaf60ba live Gillingham defeated Oldham Athletic on 24 April and Stoke City a week later, scoring four goals each time. Four days after the second of these victories, Wigan Athletic lost to Wycombe Wanderers, meaning that Gillingham were guaranteed a place in the play-offs irrespective of the result of the final match of the regular season.Elligate 2009 81 Gillingham's final game resulted in a 1–0 win away against Notts County, Asaba scoring the only goal; this meant that they finished the regular season fourth in the table, seven points below second place.Rollin Rollin 1999 33 Match details Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal +ResultsRollin Rollin 1999 176DateOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance8 August 1998Walsall (H)0–15,71215 August 1998 York City (A)1–1Saunders2,63422 August 1998 Bristol Rovers (H)0–04,89629 August 1998 Blackpool (A)2–2Saunders, Carr3,9941 September 1998 Wrexham (H)4–0Smith, Hessenthaler (2), Asaba5,3495 September 1998 Chesterfield (A)0–13,7668 September 1998 Northampton Town (H)2–3Smith (2, 1 pen.)5,07212 September 1998 Colchester United (A)1–1Asaba4,61219 September 1998 Burnley (H)2–1Galloway, Taylor5,70226 September 1998 Preston North End (A)1–1Asaba10,5063 October 1998 Macclesfield Town (H)2–2Carr, Hodge6,09310 October 1998 Wycombe Wanderers (H)3–0Saunders, Taylor (2)4,57517 October 1998 Reading (A)0–011,46720 October 1998 AFC Bournemouth (A)3–3Asaba (2), Southall5,18324 October 1998 Luton Town (H)1–0Asaba5,60231 October 1998 Lincoln City (A)2–1Asaba (2)4,3667 November 1998 Wigan Athletic (H)2–0Asaba, Balmer (o.g.)5,86910 November 1998 Oldham Athletic (H)2–1Asaba, Patterson5,18821 November 1998 Manchester City (A)0–026,52928 November 1998 Fulham (H)1–0Taylor7,61412 December 1998 Stoke City (A)0–017,23319 December 1998 Notts County (H)4–0Asaba (3), Taylor6,07229 December 1998 Millwall (H)1–1Galloway9,2212 January 1999 Blackpool (H)1–0Southall7,0229 January 1999 Walsall (A)1–2Patterson5,49516 January 1999 York City (H)3–1Asaba, Taylor, Butters6,24230 January 1999 Millwall (A)3–3Southall, Taylor, Saunders10,4426 February 1999 Chesterfield (H)3–1Asaba, Hessenthaler, Southall6,58213 February 1999 Northampton Town (A)1–0Smith5,98120 February 1999 Colchester United (H)1–1Asaba7,27623 February 1999 Bristol Rovers (A)1–0Hessenthaler5,73527 February 1999 Burnley (A)5–0Taylor (5, 1 pen.)8,9816 March 1999 Preston North End (H)1–1Taylor9,5819 March 1999 Macclesfield Town (A)0–11,86813 March 1999 Wigan Athletic (A)1–4Lisbie4,24820 March 1999 Lincoln City (H)4–0Hessenthaler (2), Lisbie (2)7,02327 March 1999 Luton Town (A)0–16,7051 April 1999 Reading (H)2–1Saunders, Asaba8,1955 April 1999 Wycombe Wanderers (A)2–0Ashby, Asaba6,6889 April 1999 AFC Bournemouth (H)2–1Hessenthaler, Lisbie7,81313 April 1999 Fulham (A)0–313,11917 April 1999 Manchester City (H)0–210,40020 April 1999 Wrexham (A)1–2Butters1,87124 April 1999 Oldham Athletic (A)4–1Asaba, Smith, Galloway, Taylor5,3311 May 1999 Stoke City (H)4–0Taylor (2), Butters, Smith8,2898 May 1999 Notts County (A)1–0Asaba7,815 Partial league table main WDL left auto Football League Second Division final table, leading positions PR FUL Fulham WAL Walsall MAN Manchester City GIL Gillingham PRE Preston North End WIG Wigan Athletic 31 8 7 79 32 26 9 11 63 47 22 16 8 69 33 22 14 10 75 44 22 13 11 78 50 22 10 14 75 48 Division Champions, promoted CP Promoted P PP Participated in play-offs PP PP PP complete https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/31-may-1999/ League Division 2 end of season table for 1998–99 season 11v11 AFS Enterprises 9 November 2021 9 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109155624/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/31-may-1999/ live Play-offs thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Paul Dickov|Manchester City's Paul Dickov (pictured in 2008) scored a late equalising goal in the play-off final. In the play-off semi-finals, Gillingham played fifth-place finishers Preston North End. In the first match of the two-legged tie, David Eyres put Preston ahead in the 54th minute. Taylor equalised with 11 minutes remaining and the match ended 1–1. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999770/the-guardian/ The Guardian 3 April 2021 Newspapers.com Gills equal to the task 17 May 1999 28 Ian Winrow 28 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210928084149/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999770/the-guardian/ live The second leg was held three days later at Priestfield. Gillingham took the lead through Hessenthaler less than two minutes into the match. Having been largely thwarted by the Gillingham defence in the opening 45 minutes, Preston had more goalscoring chances in the second half; goalkeeper Vince Bartram dived full-length across his goal to keep out a shot from Jon Macken. The match ended 1–0 and Gillingham progressed to the final with a 2–1 aggregate victory. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999870/the-guardian/ The Guardian 3 April 2021 Newspapers.com Hessenthaler leads men of Kent to Wembley Trevor Haylett 32 20 May 1999 28 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210928084125/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999870/the-guardian/ live In the final Gillingham played Manchester City, who had defeated Wigan Athletic in the other semi-final. It was the first time Gillingham had played at Wembley Stadium, England's national stadium.Elligate 2009 97 The match was scoreless until the 81st minute, when Asaba gave Gillingham the lead. Taylor added a second goal five minutes later. Kevin Horlock scored for City in the 90th minute to halve the deficit and, in the fifth minute of injury time, Paul Dickov scored an equaliser to make the score 2–2 and send the game into extra time. With no further goals being scored, the match was decided by a penalty shoot-out, which City won 3–1 to gain promotion. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999921/the-guardian/ The Guardian Newspapers.com 3 April 2021 Now City turn lost cause into a triumph Trevor Haylett 31 May 1999 25 27 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210727150752/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999921/the-guardian/ live https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0500231797/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=5f472bb6 The Times Gale City stage another Manchester late show 31 31 May 1999 Keith Pike subscription 3 April 2021 27 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210727150804/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=TTDA&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CIF0500231797&v=2.1&it=r&sid=TTDA&asid=5f472bb6 live Match details Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match N = Match played at a neutral venue pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal +ResultsRollin Rollin 1999 34–35DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance16 May 1999Semi-final (first leg)Preston North End (A)1–1Taylor18,58419 May 1999Semi-final (second leg)Preston North End (H)1–0Hessenthaler10,50530 May 1999FinalManchester City (N)2–2 Asaba, Taylor76,935 Cup matches FA Cup As a Second Division team, Gillingham entered the 1998–99 FA Cup in the first round and were drawn to play fellow Second Division team Oldham Athletic. Gillingham lost 2–0 and were thus eliminated from the competition.Rollin Rollin 1999 594 Match details Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal +ResultsRollin Rollin 1999 594DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance14 November 1998FirstOldham Athletic (A)0–23,173 Football League Cup As a Second Division team, Gillingham entered the 1998–99 Football League Cup in the first round and were paired with Southend United of the Third Division. Gillingham lost both legs of the tie 1–0.Rollin Rollin 1999 573–574 Match details Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal +ResultsRollin Rollin 1999 573–574DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance11 August 1998First (first leg)Southend United (A)0–12,50918 August 1998First (second leg)Southend United (H)0–13,417 Football League Trophy In the first round of the 1998–99 Football League Trophy, a competition for Second and Third Division teams, Gillingham played Colchester United. Goals from Asaba, Pennock and Paul Smith and two from Taylor resulted in a 5–1 victory. In the second round, Gillingham defeated Swansea City 1–0 and then beat Torquay United by the same score in the third round. This secured the team a place in the semi-final of the southern section of the competition; their opponents were Millwall. In front of a crowd of 11,555 at Millwall's The New Den, Gillingham lost 1–0 and were eliminated from the competition.Rollin Rollin 1999 583–585 Match details Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal +ResultsRollin Rollin 1999 583–585DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance5 December 1998FirstColchester United (A)5–1 Asaba, Pennock, Taylor (2), Smith1,7425 January 1999SecondSwansea City (A) 1–0 Hessenthaler5,126 23 January 1999ThirdTorquay United (A) 1–0 Taylor3,12116 February 1999Semi-final (southern section)Millwall (A) 0–111,555 Players thumb|right|alt=Footballer Nyron Nosworthy|Nyron Nosworthy (pictured in 2012) made his debut during the season and would go on to play 200 games for Gillingham.https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=15462 Nyron Nosworthy Soccerbase 4 October 2021 4 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211004183949/https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=15462 live Smith made the most appearances for Gillingham during the season, playing in 54 of the team's 56 matches; he missed only one Second Division game and one match in the League Trophy. Three other players made over 50 appearances; Bartram played 53 times and both Southall and Taylor 51 times.Brown 2003 109 Two players made only a single appearance during the season.Brown 2003 109 Brian Statham was restricted to one game in the 1998–99 season although he had played 23 games in the season before.Triggs 2001 307 The one game in which French defender Franck Rolling played, however, was the only appearance of his Gillingham career.Triggs 2001 279 Asaba was the team's leading goalscorer during the season. He scored 20 times in the Second Division during the regular season, once in the play-offs, and once in the League Trophy for a total of 22 in all competitions. Taylor scored 16 goals in the Second Division and 21 overall. No other player reached double figures.Brown 2003 109 +Player statisticsBrown 2003 109PlayerPositionSecond DivisionPlay-offsFA CupLeague CupLeague TrophyTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCarl AsabaFW4120311000414922Barry AshbyDF38130102020461Vince BartramGK44030002040530Kenny Brown Kenny Brown (footballer)DF401000000050Marcus BrowningMF400000000040Matt Bryant Matt Bryant (footballer)DF23000101030280Steve Butler Steve Butler (footballer)FW700000100080Guy ButtersDF23330000040303Darren CarrDF30210102020362Tony DobsonDF200000000020Roland EdgeDF8000100020110Stuart Elliott Stuart Elliott (footballer, born 1977)MF500000000050Mick GallowayMF25330101020323Andy HessenthalerMF39731102021479John Hodge John Hodge (English footballer)FW34130102030431Kevin LisbieFW740000000074Nyron NosworthyDF300000001040Mark Patterson Mark Patterson (footballer, born 1968)DF42230102010492Adrian PennockDF40030101031481James PinnockFW400000202080Franck RollingDF100000000010Mark Saunders Mark Saunders (footballer)MF34530000030405Paul Smith Paul Smith (footballer, born 1971)MF45630102031547Nicky SouthallMF42430101040514Jim StannardGK200010000030Brian Statham Brian Statham (footballer)DF000000001010Robert Taylor Robert Taylor (footballer, born 1971)FW4316321010335121Paul Williams Paul Williams (footballer, born 1969)DF10000002000120 FW = Forward, MF = Midfielder, GK = Goalkeeper, DF = Defender Aftermath One month after the play-off final, Pulis was dismissed from his job as the club's manager, amid accusations of gross misconduct on his part, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66750530/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=23e44267 25 The Independent 24 August 2021 Gale Football: Wenger's buy from Brazil Gordon Tynan 1 July 1999 subscription 22 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240922195120/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66750530&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=23e44267 live a decision which led to a lengthy and acrimonious court case between him and Scally.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/apr/26/newsstory.sport1 Pulis 'drank champagne' after sacking The Guardian Jon Brodkin 26 April 2001 1 April 2021 9 March 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070309141237/http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PlayOffsDetail/0%2C%2C10794~475418%2C00.html live The relationship between the two had deteriorated during the 1998–99 season, in particular following an interview with local newspaper Kent Today, which quoted Scally as saying that being a manager was an "easy job". Following the interview, which Scally said misquoted him, the paper's reporters were banned from Priestfield Stadium for more than five years.Elligate 2009 46 Pulis brought a case against the club for unfair dismissal and ultimately accepted an out-of-court settlement of UK 75,000 2001 eq yes £ -3.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/apr/28/newsstory.sport7 Pulis case ends in settlement Jon Brodkin 28 April 2001 23 October 2021 The Guardian 23 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211023175405/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/apr/28/newsstory.sport7 live Peter Taylor was appointed as the club's new manager.Elligate 2009 112 https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A58234668/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=363e18a0 49 The Times 24 August 2021 Gale Gillingham; Football 8 July 1999 subscription 22 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240922195121/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA58234668&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=363e18a0 live Gillingham again challenged for promotion in the 1999–2000 season; on the last day of the regular season, the team had a chance to gain automatic promotion, but lost and instead had to again enter the play-offs.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/801893.stm Late charge takes Clarets up BBC News 7 August 2008 29 June 2000 17 July 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230717034504/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/801893.stm live After defeating Stoke City in the semi-finals, Gillingham beat Wigan Athletic in the final to gain promotion to the second tier of the English football league system for the first time in the club's history.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/752886.stm Gills crush nine-man Stoke BBC News 8 August 2008 17 May 2000 26 May 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040526094942/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/752886.stm live References Works cited Brown Eric News of the World Football Annual 1998–99 Invincible Press 1998 978-0-00218-857-9 London Brown Tony The Definitive Gillingham F.C.: A Complete Record Soccerdata 2003 978-1-89946-820-1 Nottingham Elligate David Gillingham FC On This Day Pitch Publishing 2009 978-1-90541-145-0 Durrington Mitchell Colin Reeves Jon Tyler Daniel The History of English Football Clubs New Holland Publishers 2013 978-1-78009-449-6 Mitchell 2013 Rollin Glenda Rollin Jack Rothmans Football Yearbook 1999–2000 Headline Book Publishing 1999 978-0-74722-166-1 London Roger Triggs The Men Who Made Gillingham Football Club Tempus Publishing Ltd 2001 978-0-75242-243-5 Stroud 1998-99 Gill