1981–82 Gillingham F.C. season

English football club season February 2015 February 2015 Gillingham F.C. 1981–82 Clifford GrossmarkElligate 2009 173 Keith Peacock Third Division 6th FA Cup Fourth round League Cup First round Group Cup Group stage Ken Price and Dean White (12) Ken Price and Dean White (14) 16,000 vs West Bromwich Albion (23 January 1982) 1,974 vs Southend United (19 August 1981) 1980–81 1982–83 _whiteborder _vneckwhite _whiteborder _bluestripe2 0000ff 0000ff 0000ff ffffff ffffff ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 During the 1981–82 English football season, Gillingham F.C. competed in the Football League Third Division, the third tier of the English football league system. It was the 50th season in which Gillingham competed in the Football League, and the 32nd since the club was voted back into the league in 1950. Keith Peacock was appointed as the club's new manager prior to the season. The team began the season in poor form and at the end of September were 17th out of 24 teams in the league table, but then won six consecutive games and in November were briefly top of the league. They could not maintain the position, however, and by January had slipped back into the bottom half of the table. Results improved, but the team failed to get back into contention for promotion and ultimately finished sixth in the division. Gillingham also took part in three other competitions during the season. They reached the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in more than a decade, narrowly losing to West Bromwich Albion of the First Division, but were eliminated at the earliest stage of both the Football League Cup and the Football League Group Cup. The team played 57 competitive matches, winning 23, drawing 16, and losing 18. Ken Price and Dean White were joint top goalscorer, with 14 goals each. Steve Bruce made the most appearances, playing 54 times. The highest attendance recorded at the club's home ground, Priestfield Stadium, was 16,000 for the FA Cup match against West Bromwich Albion. Background and pre-season thumb|right|alt=Former footballer Keith Peacock|Keith Peacock (pictured in 2025) was appointed the club's new manager. The 1981–82 season was Gillingham's 50th season playing in the Football League and the 32nd since the club was elected back into the League in 1950 after being voted out in 1938. It was the club's eighth consecutive season in the Football League Third Division, the third tier of the English football league system, since the team gained promotion from the Fourth Division in 1974.Brown 2003 83–90, 114 In the seven seasons since then, Gillingham had achieved a best finish of fourth place, one position away from promotion to the Second Division, in the 1978–79 season.Brown 2003 83–90, 114 The club had never reached the second level of English football in its history.Soar Tyler 1983 110https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/767702.stm Second Time Lucky for Gills BBC Sport 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 July, Keith Peacock was appointed as the club's new manager; he had most recently worked as the assistant manager of Tampa Bay Rowdies in the United States.Elligate 2009 114 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/124731148 Evening Standard 35 15 May 2023 Newspapers.com limited Peacock is Gills' Boss - On the Wing! 14 July 1981 He replaced Gerry Summers, who had been dismissed from his post at the end of the previous season, partly due to controversy surrounding his decision to release several popular players, including Damien Richardson, from their contracts.Elligate 2009 92 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130213098 Sandwell Evening Mail 48 18 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Gerry's legal fight 6 November 1981 Peacock appointed Paul Taylor, with whom he had recently worked in the United States, as his assistant manager; Kent Evening Post 27 New Era of Hope and Optimism 20 May 1982 Bruce Beckett Bill Collins, who had been with the club in a variety of roles since the early 1960s,Triggs 2001 93 held the posts of first-team trainer and manager of the youth team.Gillingham Vs Burnley Matchday Programme Management Talk 29 August 1981 Keith Peacock Peacock signed three new players ahead of the season, all of whom he had played alongside at Charlton Athletic. Dick Tydeman, a 30-year-old midfielder, joined from Charlton as the new manager's first signing,Elligate 2009 121 and was appointed team captain; Tydeman had played over 300 games for Gillingham in a previous spell from 1969 to 1976.Hugman 2015 857 Colin Powell, a 33-year old winger, also arrived from Charlton, where he had made over 300 appearances.Hugman 2015 689 The club's third signing was Richie Bowman, a 26-year old midfielder who joined the club from Reading.Triggs 2001 14 Peacock also attempted to sign Winston DuBose, a goalkeeper whom he had coached in the United States, but the player was refused a UK work permit. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/129813533 The Tampa Tribune 36 11 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited DuBose back with Rowdies 14 November 1981 Jim Henderson The players' kit for the season consisted of Gillingham's usual blue shirts, white shorts and white socks. The away kit, to be worn in the event of a clash of colours with the home team, was all-red.Rollin 1982 177 The team prepared for the new season with several friendlies, including one against West Ham United of the First Division. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130342367 Manchester Evening News 20 20 May 2023 Newspapers.com limited Results 18 August 1981 In an attempt to incentivise teams to play in a more attacking manner, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130342653 The Guardian 16 20 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Sundays come closer 19 January 1981 David Lacey the Football League made a rule change for the new season, increasing the number of points awarded to the team winning a match from two to three; a draw still gave one point to each team. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130343375 Birmingham Evening Mail 38 20 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Three-point win – by one vote 10 February 1981 Peacock wrote in the matchday programme for the first league game of the season that he was a strong proponent of attacking football and that he considered it important that his players "go out with a positive attitude to win rather than just to stop the opposition from winning". Third Division August–December thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer John Sitton|John Sitton (pictured in 1995) made his Gillingham debut in September. Gillingham's first league game of the season was at their home ground, Priestfield Stadium, against Burnley; goals from forwards Ken Price and Trevor Lee along with an own goal gave Gillingham a 3–1 win.Rollin 1982 178 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130212783 Sunday Mirror 37 18 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Third Division 30 August 1981Elligate 2009 132 Both players scored again a week later away to Reading, but the game ended in a 3–2 defeat and Gillingham next lost 1–0 at home to Chester.Rollin 1982 178 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130216735 Evening Post 20 18 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Reading sparkle then... Russell Kempson 7 September 1981 Goalkeeper Ron Hillyard, who had been with the club since 1974,Triggs 2001 158 made his return to the team against Chester; teenager Gary Sutton had deputised for him since the first league game of the season after Hillyard suffered a groin strain.Rollin 1982 179 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/129882468 Evening Post 18 12 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Lewis Gets the Nod 4 September 1981 On 19 September Gillingham drew 1–1 away to Preston North End with a goal from Danny Westwood on his first appearance in a Football League game for nine months;Brown 2003 90, 91 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130216957 Evening Standard 46 18 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Brentford call up new boy Bowen 21 September 1981 John Sitton, a defender newly signed from Millwall, made his Gillingham debut.Triggs 2001 297 Two days later, a goal from Tydeman secured a 1–0 win away to Brentford, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130217378 Western Daily Press 5 18 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Tydeman is on target 22 September 1981 but a defeat and a draw in their next two matches meant that at the end of September, Gillingham were 17th out of 24 teams in the Third Division league table, having won only one of their last six league games.Rollin 1982 178https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/30-September-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 30 September 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 11 August 2023 11 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230811105705/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/30-September-1981/ live The team's fortunes changed dramatically in October, during which they played six games and won every one.Rollin 1982 178 The run began on 3 October with a 2–0 victory away to Wimbledon, who were bottom of the table; Hillyard saved a Wimbledon penalty kick and Bowman scored both goals.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/02-October-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 2 October 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 18 August 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130224814 The Sunday People 45 18 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited The new Greaves 4 October 1981 A week later he scored again as Gillingham beat 23rd-placed Plymouth Argyle.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/09-October-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 9 October 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 18 August 2023 18 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230818195145/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/09-October-1981/ live https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130238404 Sunday Telegraph 39 Dick Woodacre 18 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Target Bowman 11 October 1981 Against Huddersfield Town on 17 October, Gillingham took a 3–0 lead inside the first 20 minutes and, although their opponents scored twice, held on for a third consecutive victory.Rollin 1982 178 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130212558 Sunday Telegraph 39 18 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited True Blissett Jeremy Fisher 18 October 1981 A 4–2 win over Portsmouth made Gillingham the division's highest goalscorers up to this point of the season and took them up to fourth place in the table, just outside the top three places which would secure promotion to the Second Division. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130286896 The Daily Telegraph 32 19 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited White's goals spark victory for Gillingham 21 October 1981https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/20-October-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 20 October 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 19 August 2023 19 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230819182403/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/20-October-1981/ liveRollin 1982 415 Dean White, who scored twice against Portsmouth, repeated the feat in the next game, a 2–1 win over Millwall. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130287144 Sunday Telegraph 39 19 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Millwall 1, Gillingham 2 25 October 1981 The result meant that Gillingham had equalled the club record of four consecutive Football League wins away from home and had won five consecutive league games for the first time since the 1972–73 season.Brown 2003 82–91Elligate 2009 163 White then scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Swindon Town. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130287301 Sunday Telegraph 40 19 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Cherished dream Michael Field 1 November 1981 Gillingham ended October second in the table, behind league leaders Doncaster Rovers only on goal difference;https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/31-October-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 31 October 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 18 August 2023 18 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230818132824/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/31-October-1981/ live Peacock was the recipient of the division's Manager of the Month award. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130218068 Manchester Evening News 45 18 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Burkinshaw top boss 7 November 1981 Gillingham's bid to equal the club record of seven consecutive league winsBrown 2003 3Elligate 2009 166 failed with a 3–0 defeat away to Southend United and they also lost their next game, a 2–0 defeat away to Bristol Rovers.Rollin 1982 178 On 14 November, White scored twice more as Gillingham beat Doncaster to go top of the table.Elligate 2009 175 Their stay in first place was short-lived, however, as they dropped to fourth after the final match of November,Elligate 2009 185 a 2–0 defeat away to Carlisle United during which John Sharpe was sent off. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130446286 Sunday Sun 58 22 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Bannon back in style 29 November 1981 Alan Gray This was followed by a 4–1 defeat at home to Walsall, the first time the team had conceded four goals in a league game all season.Rollin 1982 78 Gillingham's final match of 1981 was at home to Newport County.Rollin 1982 178 Dave Kemp, a forward signed on loan from Plymouth Argyle, made his debut and scored in a 1–1 draw; he was selected in place of Lee, who had only scored two goals since September.Rollin 1982 179 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal/129755258/ The Journal 10 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Super Saints 29 December 1981 14 Bowman was absent from the team after tearing his knee ligaments and would not play again during the season.Rollin 1982 179 The result left Gillingham in sixth place in the table at the end of the year, two points below the promotion places.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/31-December-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 31 December 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 10 August 2023 10 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230810231614/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/31-December-1981/ live January–May thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Tony Cascarino|Teenager Tony Cascarino (pictured 1986), signed from amateur local football, made his debut in February. Scheduled Third Division games on 2 and 23 January were postponed due to the club's continued involvement in the FA Cup,Gillingham Vs Newport County Matchday Programme Match Facts 28 December 1981Gillingham Vs Preston North End Matchday Programme Match Facts 30 January 1981 and a game on 9 January was postponed due to blizzards. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130463909 Evening Post 22 22 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Heale keeps mum over future plans 8 January 1982 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130463289 Manchester Evening News 39 19 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Division Three 9 January 1982 As a result, Gillingham played only two Third Division matches in January, both of which they lost, being defeated 2–0 by both Lincoln City and Preston North End.Rollin 1982 178 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1130463588 Lincolnshire Echo 12 22 August 2023 Maurice Burton Newspapers.com limited Red Imps discover a winning formula 18 January 1982 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130463733 Sunday Mirror 45 22 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Zero rating! 31 January 1982 By the end of the month, they had slipped into the bottom half of the table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/31-January-1982/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 31 January 1982 11v11 AFS Enterprises 11 August 2023 19 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230819182958/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/31-January-1982/ live Injuries continued to impact the team; Micky Adams replaced Andy Ford after the latter suffered a knee injury which would ultimately end his professional career.Rollin 1982 179Triggs 2001 119 Adams had previously played as a winger but adapted well to the left-back position,Triggs 2001 38 and was an ever-present in the team for the remainder of the season.Rollin 1982 179 Another defender, Mark Weatherly, also sustained an injury and would not return to the team line-up for two months.Rollin 1982 179Gillingham Vs Southend United Matchday Programme Gills Chat 16 March 1982 On 2 February, 19-year-old Tony Cascarino made his debut in a 1–0 defeat away to Burnley.Triggs 2001 82 The forward, signed from amateur club Crockenhill of the Kent League, reportedly in exchange for a set of tracksuits,Triggs 2001 82https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7948536.full-time-the-secret-life-of-tony-cascarino-by-paul-kimmage/ Full Time: The Secret Life of Tony Cascarino by Paul Kimmage York Press 3 January 2001 19 August 2023 19 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230819190722/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7948536.full-time-the-secret-life-of-tony-cascarino-by-paul-kimmage/ live would go on to make over 200 appearances and score over 100 goals for Gillingham before playing at the highest level of English football and in two FIFA World Cup tournaments.Triggs 2001 82–84 He scored his first goal for the club on 13 February when the team ended a winless league run stretching back to November by defeating Wimbledon 6–1,Rollin 1982 178Triggs 2001 82 the first time Gillingham had scored six times in a game since 1973.Brown 2003 83–91 Peter Shaw, a defender signed from Charlton Athletic, made his debut on 20 February in a 1–1 draw with Exeter City.Triggs 2001 289 A week later, Kemp made his final appearance for Gillingham as his loan spell came to an end.Rollin 1982 179 He scored the winning goal against Plymouth, the team from which he was on loan, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130465085 Western Morning News 12 22 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Kemp has the laugh on Argyle 1 March 1982 to leave Gillingham in 11th place at the end of February;https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/28-February-1982/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 28 February 1982 11v11 AFS Enterprises 22 August 2023 22 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230822185454/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/28-February-1982/ live Cascarino and Price would be the first-choice forwards for the remainder of the season.Rollin 1982 179 The team began March with defeats away to Huddersfield Town and Portsmouth, both without scoring a goal.Rollin 1982 178 Cascarino ended the goalless run against Millwall on 12 March but the match ended in a draw.Rollin 1982 178, 246 Having gained only one point and scored only one goal in their first three games of March, Gillingham won their next three matches without conceding a goal;Rollin 1982 178 Adams scored his first professional goal in a 1–0 win away to Swindon Town on 20 March.Brown 2003 89–91 Goals against Bristol Rovers a week later took White and Price to 14 and 12 goals for the season respectively;Rollin 1982 178 after the victory Gillingham were back up to ninth in the league table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/27-March-1982/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 27 March 1982 11v11 AFS Enterprises 11 August 2023 19 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230819183149/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/27-March-1982/ live Another teenager, Neil Grewcock, made his debut as a substitute against Oxford United in the final game of the month.Triggs 2001 142, 143 Gillingham extended their unbeaten run with a 1–1 draw against Doncaster Rovers on 3 April; Lee played his first game since January in place of Cascarino.Rollin 1982 178,179 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130464318 Sunday Mirror 45 22 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Blues at the Bridge 4 April 1982 Tony Roche Three days later, Lee was named only as the substitute against Chesterfield but came off the bench to score twice as Gillingham came back from two goals down with 20 minutes of the game remaining to win 3–2. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130464471 The Daily Telegraph 30 22 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Lee inspires Gillingham fight-back 7 April 1982 The result took them up to seventh in the table, six points outside the promotion places with ten games still to play.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/06-April-1982/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 6 April 1982 11v11 AFS Enterprises 22 August 2023 22 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230822184911/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/06-April-1982/ live The team's successful run continued with a 2–0 victory over Fulham, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130464699 The Observer 41 22 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited All change again at top Sean Piper 11 April 1982 but Gillingham lost their next two matches to effectively end any realistic chance of promotion. They achieved a draw on 24 April away to Carlisle United, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130464807 Sunday Sun 38 22 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Pointer to the future 25 April 1982 who were top of the table at the time,https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/23-April-1982/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 23 April 1982 11v11 AFS Enterprises 22 August 2023 22 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230822184914/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/23-April-1982/ live but this was immediately followed by a defeat to Bristol City, who were second from bottom.Rollin 1982 178https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/30-April-1982/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 30 April 1982 11v11 AFS Enterprises 22 August 2023 22 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230822184913/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/30-April-1982/ live Gillingham produced one of their best runs of the season during the final five games, winning four and drawing the other; in their final away match they beat Chesterfield 3–1, the first time they had scored more than twice away from home all season.Rollin 1982 178 The last game of the campaign was at home to Reading on 18 May; Sharpe and Lee scored in a 2–1 victory which meant that their team finished the season sixth in the Third Division table, seven points below the promotion places.Rollin 1982 178Rollin 1982 414 League match results Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal +ResultsRollin 1982 178, 179DateOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance29 August 1981Burnley (H)3–1Price, Laws (o.g.), Lee4,6635 September 1981Reading (A)2–3Lee, Price3,49612 September 1981Chester (H)0–13,99019 September 1981Preston North End (A)1–1Westwood4,56321 September 1981Brentford (A)1–0Tydeman5,42026 September 1981Exeter City (H)2–3Bowman, Price4,15829 September 1981Bristol City (H)1–1Price3,8873 October 1981Wimbledon (A)2–0Bowman (2, 1 pen.)2,51010 October 1981Plymouth Argyle (A)2–1Lee, Bowman3,09417 October 1981Huddersfield Town (H)3–2Price, Bruce, White4,43220 October 1981Portsmouth (H)4–2Bowman (pen.), White (2), Price5,54624 October 1981Millwall (A)2–1White (2)5,76331 October 1981Swindon Town (H)1–0White8,4102 November 1981Southend United (A)0–36,2357 November 1981Bristol Rovers (A)0–25,51814 November 1981Doncaster Rovers (H)3–0Lee, White (2)8,18928 November 1981Carlisle United (A)0–24,1965 December 1981Walsall (H)1–4White (pen.)5,84528 December 1981Newport County (H)1–1Kemp6,05516 January 1982Lincoln City (A)0–22,75630 January 1982Preston North End (H)0–25,3792 February 1982Burnley (A)0–15,8456 February 1982Chester (A)0–01,5439 February 1982Brentford (H)1–1White3,93113 February 1982Wimbledon (H)6–1White (pen.), Price (2), Bruce, Duncan, Cascarino4,21420 February 1982Exeter City (A)1–1Duncan2,88827 February 1982Plymouth Argyle (H)3–2Bruce, Cascarino, Kemp4,8356 March 1982Huddersfield Town (A)0–25,3389 March 1982Portsmouth (A)0–16,71112 March 1982Millwall (H)1–1Cascarino5,50816 March 1982Southend United (H)2–0Bruce, Price3,78420 March 1982Swindon Town (A)1–0Adams4,90827 March 1982Bristol Rovers (H)2–0White (pen.), Price5,10031 March 1982Oxford United (A)1–1Adams5,2233 April 1982Doncaster Rovers (A)1–1Sitton3,9026 April 1982Chesterfield (H)3–2Sitton, Lee (2)5,11110 April 1982Fulham (H)2–0Price, Powell9,89512 April 1982Newport County (A)2–4Price (2)4,35317 April 1982Walsall (A)0–1268424 April 1982Carlisle United (H)0–05,8091 May 1982Bristol City (A)1–2Lee3,9314 May 1982Lincoln City (H)1–0Cascarino3,2458 May 1982Oxford United (H)2–1Bruce, Weatherly3,69011 May 1982Fulham (A)0–07,17015 May 1982Chesterfield (A)3–1Cascarino, Grewcock, Pollard (o.g.)2,25918 May 1982Reading (H)2–1Sharpe, Lee3,920 Partial league table 1981–82 Football League#Third Division main WDL left auto Football League Third Division Final Table, Leading Positions PR BOU Burnley MID Carlisle United SWI Fulham LIN Lincoln City BRI Oxford United GIL Gillingham 21 17 8 66 45 23 11 12 65 50 21 15 10 77 51 21 14 11 66 40 19 14 13 63 49 20 11 15 64 56 Division Champions, promoted CP Promoted P P complete https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1981-82.html Season 1981–82 Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 7 August 2023 30 May 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530005010/https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1981-82.html live Cup matches FA Cup As a Third Division club, Gillingham entered the 1981–82 FA Cup at the first round stage; their opponents were fellow Third Division side Plymouth Argyle. The initial game at Plymouth's ground, Home Park, ended in a goalless draw, necessitating a replay at Priestfield.Rollin 1982 468 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130288240 The Daily Telegraph 31 19 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Coney sounds warning to Spurs 23 November 1981 Despite finishing the game with only ten men after Steve Bruce was sent off, Gillingham won the second match 1–0. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130288521 Daily Mirror 31 19 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Bowman hits the bull 25 November 1981 In the second round, they faced Barking of the Isthmian League at Priestfield. Gillingham fell behind to a goal from their semi-professional opponents but White equalised from a penalty kick and the game ended in a draw. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130288932 The Daily Telegraph 20 19 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Disputed penalty saves Gillingham's blushes 16 December 1981 Barking opted to surrender home advantage for the replay, so the second game also took place at Priestfield.Rollin 1982 472 Bruce gave Gillingham the lead but Barking equalised in the 89th minute to send the game into extra time; Gillingham scored twice in the extra period to progress to the third round for the first time in ten years.Soar Tyler 1983 110 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130289153 The Daily Telegraph 17 19 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Non-Leaguers Barnet make Brighton wait Trevor Williamson 4 January 1982 The teams from the First and Second Divisions entered the competition in the third round and Gillingham received a home match with Oldham Athletic, who at the time were in second place in the Second Division.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-two/04-January-1982/ League Division 2 table after close of play on 4 January 1982 11v11 AFS Enterprises 11 August 2023 19 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230819191525/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-two/04-January-1982/ live Kemp gave Gillingham the lead inside the first ten minutes and White scored from a penalty kick; Oldham pulled a goal back but Gillingham held on for a 2–1 victory. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130290485 Western Daily Press 9 19 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Geddis in a goal rush Peter Went 6 January 1982 In their first appearance in the fourth round of the FA Cup since 1970,Soar Tyler 1983 110 Gillingham's opponents were West Bromwich Albion of the First Division,Rollin 1982 413 whose coach was former Gillingham manager Summers. The match drew an attendance of 16,000, the largest crowd recorded at Priestfield for nearly two years, and generated a new club record gate receipt figure of UK 34,285 1981 eq yes £ -4.Brown 2003 90, 91Elligate 2009 23 With two minutes remaining, the game remained goalless and Gillingham were on the verge of securing a replay but Albion's Derek Statham scored a goal to win the match and eliminate Gillingham from the competition. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130289525 The Daily Telegraph 21 19 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Superb Statham denies Gillingham 25 January 1982 FA Cup match results Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal Results DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance21 November 1981FirstPlymouth Argyle (A)0–05,47124 November 1981First (replay)Plymouth Argyle (H)1–0Bowman7,37015 December 1981SecondBarking (H)1–1White (pen.)4,3632 January 1982Second (replay)Barking (A)Apr a3–1 (a.e.t.)Bruce, Price, Powell4,7705 January 1982ThirdOldham Athletic (H)2–1Kemp, White (pen.) 9,24723 January 1982FourthWest Bromwich Albion (H)0–116,000 a. Apr The match was played at Gillingham's stadium but remained officially a home game for Barking. Football League Cup As a Third Division club, Gillingham entered the 1981–82 Football League Cup at the first round stage and were paired with Colchester United of the Fourth Division.Rollin 1982 445 The first match of the two-legged tie was played at Colchester's Layer Road ground; Gillingham lost 2–0 to their lower-division opponents.Rollin 1982 447 The second leg at Priestfield ended in a 1–1 draw and Gillingham were eliminated from the competition by an aggregate score of 3–1.Rollin 1982 447 League Cup match results Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal Results DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance1 September 1981First (first leg)Colchester United (A)0–22,43115 September 1981First (second leg)Colchester United (H)1–1Price3,409 Football League Group Cup The initial round-robin stage of the 1981–82 Football League Group Cup, a newly introduced competition, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/129756239 Derby Evening Telegraph 12 15 May 2023 Newspapers.com limited Moss signs for Port Vale 16 June 1981 Simon Farrington took place prior to the first Third Division game of the season. Thirty-two clubs from across the Football League's four divisions took part by invitation, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/129756312 Huddersfield Daily Examiner 14 10 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Town pull out of new pre-season competition 23 June 1981 and Gillingham were grouped with fellow Third Division teams Southend United and Wimbledon and Orient of the Second.Rollin 1982 460 Gillingham's first game was away to Wimbledon on 15 August and resulted in a 4–0 defeat;Rollin 1982 459 under a rule specific to this competition, a team scoring three or more goals in a game received a bonus point and Wimbledon's victory was therefore worth four points.Rollin 1982 460 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119128843 Birmingham Evening Mail 29 13 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Sick night for Doc 19 August 1981 A goalless draw at home to Southend four days later combined with a second victory for Wimbledon in their match against Orient meant that Gillingham could not finish top of the group and progress to the quarter-finals; the team's final game in the competition against Orient ended in another draw.Rollin 1982 460 In the matchday programme for the final game of the season, the club dismissed the Group Cup as having been a "pre-season warm-up tournament",Gillingham Vs Reading Matchday Programme Gills Chat 18 May 1982 even though the latter rounds of the competition extended until April 1982.Rollin 1982 462 Gillingham did not take part in the tournament, renamed the Football League Trophy, in the following season,Brown 2003 92 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130169638 Sunday Sun 29 17 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Soccer Scoreboard 22 August 1982 and the competition was discontinued in 1983 and replaced by the Associate Members' Cup, a tournament featuring all Third and Fourth Division teams. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130349345 The Chester Chronicle 24 20 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Wembley hopes rise 17 June 1983 Group Cup match results Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal Results DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance15 August 1981Group stageWimbledon (A)0–41,35219 August 1981Group stageSouthend United (H)0–01,97422 August 1981Group stageOrient (H)1–1Bruce2,234 Players thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Steve Bruce|Steve Bruce (pictured 1986) made the highest number of appearances for the team during the season. During the season, 27 players made at least one appearance for Gillingham. Bruce made the most, playing 55 times; he missed only one league match and one FA Cup game. Hillyard made 54 appearances, missing two league games and one League Cup match. Six other players featured in over 40 games. At the other end of the scale, three players each played only once, in each case as a substitute.Brown 2003 91 Peter Henderson appeared in only one Group Cup game in August and Nigel Donn played in only one league game; both left the club without playing any further games.Triggs 2001 104, 153 Mel Sage, an 18-year old from the club's youth team, made his professional debut in May; he would go on to play well over 100 games for Gillingham before stepping up the Second Division when he was transferred to Derby County in 1986.Triggs 2001 284 Price and White were joint top goalscorer, with 14 goals each; both scored 12 times in the league and twice in cup games.Brown 2003 91 No other player reached double figures. It was the fourth time in five seasons that Price had finished as the team's top scorer.Triggs 2001 348 +Player statisticsBrown 2003 91PlayerPositionThird DivisionFA CupFootball League CupGroup CupTotalApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsMicky AdamsDF 31 2 3 0 0 0 1 035 2Tony BottiglieriMF 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 040Richie BowmanMF 18 5 3 1 2 0 0 0236Steve BruceDF 45 6 5 1 2 0 3 1558Tony CascarinoFW 24 5 0 0 0 0 0 0245Nigel DonnMF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 010Colin DuncanMF 25 2 6 0 2 0 3 0342Andy Ford English footballerDF 20 0 3 0 2 0 3 0280Neil GrewcockMF 13 1 0 0 0 0 0 0131Peter Henderson footballerMF 0 0 0 0 0 01 010Ron HillyardGK 44 0 6 0 1 0 3 0540Dave KempFW 9 2 2 1 0 0 0 0113Trevor Lee footballerFW 27 8 2 0 2 0 3 0348Mark Miller footballerMF 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 050Frank OvardFW 6 0 3 0 0 0 0 090Colin Powell footballerMF 34 1 6 1 2 0 3 0452Ken Price footballer, born 1954FW 39 12 6 1 2 1 0 04714Mel SageDF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 010John Sharpe footballerDF 39 1 5 0 2 0 3 0491Peter Shaw footballerDF 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0160John SittonDF 30 2 3 0 0 0 0 0332Gary Sutton 1GK 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 040Dick TydemanMF 33 1 5 0 2 0 3 0431Mark WeatherlyDF 33 14 0 2 0 3 0421Danny WestwoodFW 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 061Dean White footballerMF 32 12 6 2 1 0 3 04214Charlie Young footballer, born 1958DF 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 030 FW = Forward, MF = Midfielder, GK = Goalkeeper, DF = Defender Aftermath Bruce was voted the club's player of the year by supporters. Tydeman was voted into the Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year for the Third Division by his fellow professionals, the first Gillingham player to be so honoured since 1974.Triggs 2001 352 Three days after the final competitive game of the season, Gillingham again played West Ham of the First Division, this time in a testimonial match for Damien Richardson, who had been released at the start of the season after nine years with the club.Elligate 2009 92Triggs 2001 272 Bruce Beckett of the Kent Evening Post wrote at the end of the season that Peacock's appointment had brought fresh optimism to the club and that it would "soon be equipped to achieve a life-long ambition of Second Division soccer", but the team in fact finished further away from the promotion places in both the next two seasons than they had in 1981–82.https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1982-83.html Season 1982–83 Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 20 August 2023 27 July 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220727201305/https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1982-83.html livehttps://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1983-84.html Season 1983–84 Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 20 August 2023 30 May 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530232541/https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1983-84.html live Beginning in the 1984–85 season, Peacock led Gillingham to three consecutive top-six finishes,https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1984-85.html Season 1984–85 Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 20 August 2023 22 April 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240422031413/https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1984-85.html livehttps://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1985-86.html Season 1985–86 Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 20 August 2023 27 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100127100741/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1985-86.html livehttps://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1986-87.html Season 1986–87 Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 20 August 2023 27 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100127102628/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1986-87.html live but promotion continued to elude the club and a run of bad results in late 1987 led to the manager's dismissal by the board of directors. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117506930/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=32a48136 The Times 11 September 2021 Gale Football: Gillingham respond to protest 4 January 1988 subscription https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117544809/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=e43f2e13 The Times 19 September 2021 Gale Football: Gillingham dismiss Peacock as manager 30 December 1987 subscription Elligate 2009 202 Gillingham were relegated to the Fourth Division in 1989 and spent seven seasons at the lower level,Elligate 2009 72 but after two promotions within five seasons reached the second tier of English football for the first time in 2000.Mitchell Reeves Tyler 2013 140 References Works cited Brown Tony The Definitive Gillingham F.C.: A Complete Record Soccerdata 2003 1-89946-820-X Elligate David Gillingham FC On This Day Pitch Publishing 2009 978-1-9054-1145-0 Barry Hugman Barry Hugman The PFA Premier and Football League Players' Records 1946–2005 Queen Anne Press 2015 978-1-78281-168-8 Mitchell Colin Reeves Jon Tyler Daniel The History of English Football Clubs New Holland Publishers 2013 978-1-78009-449-6 Rollin Jack Rothmans Football Yearbook 1982–83 Queen Anne Press 1982 978-0-35607-888-5 Soar Phil Martin Tyler Encyclopedia of British Football 1983 CollinsWillow 978-0-0021-8049-8 Roger Triggs The Men Who Made Gillingham Football Club Tempus Publishing Ltd 2001 0-7524-2243-X 1981-82 Category:English football clubs 1981–82 season