1950–51 Gillingham F.C. season

English football club season February 2023 February 2023 Gillingham 1950–51 Archie Clark Charles CoxBradley Triggs 1994 392 Third Division South 22nd FA Cup Second round Dave Thomas (19) Dave Thomas (21) 20,128 vs Millwall (2 September 1950) 4,601 vs Exeter City (17 January 1951) _collarwhite _white_hoops 0000ff 0000ff 0000ff ffffff 0000ff 1949–50 1951–52 During the 1950–51 English football season, Gillingham F.C. competed in the Football League Third Division South, the third tier of the English football league system. It was the first season of Gillingham's second spell in the Football League; prior to this season the club was elected back into the competition having lost its place in 1938. Gillingham's results in the first half of the season were poor, including a 9–2 defeat to Nottingham Forest, the highest number of goals the team had conceded for more than 20 years; at the end of 1950 they were second bottom of the Third Division South league table. In January and early February Gillingham climbed to 19th in the 24-team division after winning five times in six games, including a 9–4 victory over Exeter City, a new record for the club's highest Football League score which would stand for more than 30 years. After this they won only once in ten matches; the team finished the season 22nd in the division. Gillingham also competed in the FA Cup, reaching the second round. The team played 50 competitive matches, winning 14, drawing 11, and losing 25. Dave Thomas, who joined the club in October, finished the season as the team's top goalscorer; he scored 19 times in the Football League and twice in the FA Cup. Jimmy Boswell made the most appearances, playing 46 times. The highest attendance recorded at the club's home ground, Priestfield Stadium, was 20,128 for a league game against Millwall on 2 September. Background and pre-season Gillingham had been among the founder members of the Football League Third Division in 1920, which was renamed the Third Division South when a parallel Third Division North was created a year later. In 18 seasons between 1920 and 1938, the team consistently struggled, only finishing in the top half of the league table three times. They finished in the bottom two on five occasions, requiring them to apply each time for re-election to the League.Soar Tyler 1983 110Mitchell Reeves Tyler 2013 140 The club's fifth application was unsuccessful; Ipswich Town of the regional Southern League received more votes than Gillingham from the Football League's other member clubs in the ballot following the 1937–38 season and thus secured election to the Third Division South. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109170307 Daily Telegraph 8 September 2022 Newspapers.com subscription Ipswich Town F.C. in Third Division 31 May 1938 Gillingham initially took Ipswich's place in the Southern League; when competitive football resumed after the Second World War, Gillingham played in the more localised Kent League for one season before returning to the Southern League and winning the championship twice in three seasons.Rollin 1990 253 In 1950, the Football League opted to increase the membership of each of the two Third Divisions from 22 to 24 clubs; Gillingham applied for one of the new places in the Third Division South and received the highest number of votes among the applicants, thereby returning to the Football League after 12 years.Mitchell Reeves Tyler 2013 140 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109225807 Daily Telegraph Frank Coles 9 September 2022 Newspapers.com subscription 4 More Clubs in League 5 June 1950 Chairman Charles Cox told the press "It has been an uphill struggle to get back. Thank God we've done it. We must never find ourselves in that position again."Elligate 2009 101 Archie Clark was the team's manager, a post he had held since 1939.Elligate 2009 180 Danny O'Donnell was newly appointed to the role of trainer and Dick Edmed, who had played for Gillingham in the 1920s, was assistant trainer.Official Handbook 1950–51 1951 Gillingham F.C.Bradley Triggs 1994 140 So as to be able to attract new players for the higher level of football, the club was granted special dispensation to pay wages higher than those normally permitted by Football League rules,Bradley Triggs 1994 140 and signed several players who had previously performed well for the reserve team of a Football League club but failed to gain a regular first team place. Larry Gage, a goalkeeper, Randolph Jenkins, an inside forward, Harry Ayres, a half-back, and Ron Lewin, a full-back, all joined from Fulham for a combined transfer fee of UK 14,000 1950 eq yes £ -2.Triggs 2001 47, 127, 173, 194 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115891598 Liverpool Daily Post Leslie Edwards 6 January 2023 Newspapers.com subscription But Our Referees are Wonderful! 1 July 1950 Half-back Mike Skivington arrived from Leyton Orient,Triggs 2001 297 and Bobby Veck, an outside forward, moved from Southampton.Triggs 2001 323 The team wore Gillingham's usual kit of blue shirts and white shorts.Bradley Triggs 1994 140 Pre-season matches between Football League members were not permitted at the time, and clubs instead generally prepared for the season with a public trial match between two teams chosen from within their own squad of players;Triggs 1999 48Bradley Triggs 1994 424 Gillingham staged such a match one week before the start of the Football League season between teams designated the "Reds" and the "Blues". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117069316 Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News 23 January 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Getting Ready 4 August 1950 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118556083 Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News 23 January 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Foretaste of Gillingham F.C. 18 August 1950 Ahead of the new season additional terracing was erected at the club's home ground, Priestfield Stadium, to increase the stadium's capacity to 30,000.Elligate 2009 121 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118836220 Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News 17 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Real Club Supporters 11 August 1950 Third Division South August–December thumb|right|alt=Football stadium The City Ground, Nottingham, pictured in the 1920s|In November, Gillingham conceded nine goals against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (pictured in the 1920s). Gillingham's first match of the season was at home to the other newly elected club in the division, Colchester United; new signings Gage, Lewin, Ayres and Veck all made their debuts.Brown 2003 60 The game drew an attendance of 19,542, the largest crowd recorded at Priestfield since January 1948.Brown 2003 57–60 Colchester's Harry Bearryman twice cleared shots by Gillingham players off the goal-line after they had eluded his goalkeeper and another shot from the home team hit the cross-bar of the goal; the final score was 0–0. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114346494 Sunday Dispatch 9 December 2022 Newspapers.com subscription Bearryman Was the Hero 20 August 1950 Four days later, Veck scored Gillingham's first goal of the season to give his team the lead away to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, but the home team scored three times to win the game. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114854277 Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News 19 December 2022 Newspapers.com subscription Gillingham Were in the Lead 25 August 1950 A defeat away to Bristol City and a draw at home to Bournemouth meant that at the end of August Gillingham had yet to win a game.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/31-August-1950/ Division Three (South) Table After Close of Play on 31 August 1950 11v11 AFS Enterprises 10 February 2023 Jenkins made his debut in the home game against Bournemouth but did not play again for nearly three months.Brown 2003 60Triggs 2001 173 On 2 September, Gillingham won 4–3 at home to Millwall; the attendance of 20,128 was the largest of the season at Priestfield.Brown 2003 60 Following this first victory of the season, Gillingham lost away games against Bristol Rovers and Watford, both without scoring a goal. A correspondent for the Western Daily Press complimented Gage on his goalkeeping against Bristol Rovers, writing that Gillingham's opponents should have scored at least six goals as opposed to the three which they did. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115053067 Western Daily Press and Bristol Mirror 23 December 2022 Newspapers.com subscription Rovers' Clear Cut Win Over Gillingham 5 September 1950 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118377583 Sunday Mercury 10 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Colchester Maintain Fine Form 10 September 1950 After the two defeats, Gillingham were 22nd out of 24 teams in the division.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/09-September-1950/ Division Three (South) Table After Close of Play on 9 September 1950 11v11 AFS Enterprises 16 January 2023 On 13 September, Veck scored Gillingham's first goal for three games with a penalty kick which gave his team a 1–0 win over Bristol Rovers;Brown 2003 60 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118547424 Western Daily Press and Bristol Mirror 13 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Disputed Penalty was Rovers' Undoing 14 September 1950 three days later Derek Lewis scored Gillingham's first hat-trick of the season in only his second professional match, a 4–1 win at home to Walsall.Elligate 2009 145 Having won two consecutive games for the first time during the season, Gillingham then began a run of nine consecutive league games without a victory. They ended September with defeats against Leyton Orient and Ipswich Town, both without scoring a goal, and then began October by losing away to Crystal Palace.Brown 2003 60 A week later, Dave Thomas, a centre-forward newly signed from Watford, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117783323 Western Morning News 2 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Gillingham Sign Dave Thomas From Watford 13 October 1950 made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.Triggs 2001 316 He scored his first goal for Gillingham in the final game of October, a 2–2 draw at home to Norwich City.Brown 2003 60 Gillingham began November with a 4–1 defeat away to Northampton Town,Brown 2003 60 after which they were 21st in the Third Division South table, one point above the three teams tied for last place.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/04-November-1950/ Division Three (South) Table After Close of Play on 4 November 1950 11v11 AFS Enterprises 2 February 2023 On 18 November, Gillingham played away to Nottingham Forest, who were top of the table. The league leaders scored six goals in the first half and ultimately won the game 9–2; it was the first time that Gillingham had conceded nine goals in a game since 1927. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15588309 The Guardian 23 January 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Tottenham's Fine Play 20 November 1950Elligate 2009 176 Gillingham began December with a 4–2 victory away to Aldershot, their first league win since October; it was their tenth away match of the league season but the first to end in anything other than a defeat. Thomas scored Gillingham's second hat-trick of the season in the win.Brown 2003 60Elligate 2009 187 Following the victory, the team played five games in the final sixteen days of the calendar year but achieved only one draw and four defeats.Brown 2003 60 Gillingham's final match of 1950 was away to Millwall on 30 December; Gillingham lost 4–3 and ended the year 23rd in the Third Division South, above bottom-placed Crystal Palace on goal average. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118355185 Sunday Pictorial 10 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Lions Into Lambs 31 December 1950https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/31-December-1950/ Division Three (South) Table After Close of Play on 31 December 1950 11v11 AFS Enterprises 13 December 2022 Despite having only joined the club in October, Thomas was the team's leading Football League scorer, with eight goals in twelve games.Brown 2003 60 January–May thumb|right|alt=Football stadium Plainmoor, pictured in the 1980s|In April, Gillingham won their first away league game for two months at Torquay United's Plainmoor ground (pictured in the early 1980s). Gillingham's first match of 1951 was at home to Watford on 13 January; the away team took an early lead but Gillingham came back to win the game 3–1.Brown 2003 60 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116882224 Sunday Dispatch 20 January 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Fine Leadership 14 January 1951 Four days later, Gillingham played at home to Exeter City; the attendance of 4,601 was the lowest of the season at Priestfield Stadium, due in large part to the game, which had been postponed earlier in the season, being rescheduled for a Wednesday afternoon.Brown 2003 60Bradley Triggs 1994 141 Gillingham took a 5–2 lead in the first half and added four more goals in the second half as the game finished 9–4.Elligate 2009 133 A report in the Birmingham Gazette noted that both teams' defences had been "over-run by fast-moving forwards". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114509104 Birmingham Gazette 12 December 2022 Newspapers.com subscription Exeter's 9–4 Shock at Gillingham 18 January 1951 It was the highest number of goals Gillingham had scored in a Football League match, surpassing the previous record of six, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114508870 Birmingham Post 12 December 2022 Newspapers.com subscription 13 Goals in Game at Gillingham 18 January 1951 and remained the club's highest league score until 1987.Elligate 2009 133 The team were 23rd in the table at the end of the month.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/31-January-1951/ Division Three (South) Table After Close of Play on 31 January 1951 11v11 AFS Enterprises 8 February 2023 A goal from Veck gave Gillingham a 1–0 win at home to Leyton Orient in the first game of February, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118241786 Sunday Dispatch 8 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Where Orient Went Wrong 4 February 1951 and the team followed this up with wins away to Exeter and at home to Torquay United; it was the first time Gillingham had won three consecutive games during the season and took the team up to 19th in the table.Brown 2003 60https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/10-February-1951/ Division Three (South) Table After Close of Pplay on 10 February 1951 11v11 AFS Enterprises 10 February 2023 Following this run, they achieved only one victory in their next ten games.Brown 2003 60 On 17 February, they lost 5–1 away to Ipswich Town; https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118547327 Sunday Pictorial 13 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Results, Scorers and Tables 18 February 1951 a week later they drew 0–0 with Crystal Palace but forward Charlie Burtenshaw suffered a broken leg which kept him out of the team for over a year. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118241990 Sunday Dispatch 8 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Palace Held By 10 Men 25 February 1951Triggs 2001 73 Thomas scored twice as Gillingham drew with Brighton & Hove Albion on 3 March, but the team failed to score any goals in their next three games, after which they were 21st in the table.Brown 2003 60https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/23-March-1951/ Division Three (South) Table After Close of Play on 23 March 1951 11v11 AFS Enterprises 10 February 2023 On 24 March, they beat Northampton Town, their first victory for six weeks, but then lost away to both Southend United and Port Vale.Brown 2003 60 Forward Billy Hales made his Football League debut in the game against Port Vale and scored Gillingham's fourth hat-trick of the season; 2023 y he remained the only player to score three goals on his Football League debut for the club. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118242342 Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News 8 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Recovery Came Just Too Late 6 April 1951Elligate (2009), p.56 states that Hales remained the only player to score three goals on his Football League debut for Gillingham. As of 2023, Gillingham players have scored five EFL hat-tricks since 2009, none on the player's debut: https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co63/statistics/ League One » Statistics » Most goals by a player per game 24 February 2023 worldfootball.net 11 September 2023 https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co64/statistics/ League Two » Statistics » Most goals by a player per game worldfootball.net 11 September 2023 https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=51206&season_id=140 Games played by Cody McDonald in 2010/2011 Soccerbase 11 September 2023 https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=23159&season_id=141 Games played by Jo Kuffour in 2011/2012 Soccerbase 11 September 2023 https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=47198&season_id=149 Games played by Josh Wright in 2016/2017 Soccerbase 11 September 2023 https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=52855&season_id=150 Games played by Tom Eaves in 2017/2018 Soccerbase 11 September 2023 Gillingham began April with a third consecutive defeat, losing 4–1 at home to Nottingham Forest, for whom Wally Ardron scored a hat-trick before half-time. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118342754 Sunday Dispatch 10 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Grimsby for Div III? 8 April 1951 Veteran goalkeeper Johnny Burke, a regular starter for Gillingham in the Southern League, replaced Gage for the next game, a 2–1 victory away to Torquay United. Aged 39, it was his first Football League appearance since the 1946–47 season.Triggs 2001 75 He played in five of the last six games of the season and set a record for the oldest player to represent the club in the Football League which stood for over 50 years;Triggs 2001 351Elligate 2009 80 Jack Day, another goalkeeper who had been with the club in the Southern League but had been kept out of the team by Gage, played against Aldershot on 21 April.Triggs 2001 101 Gillingham alternated victory and defeat in their final six games of the season; Hales scored twice in a 2–1 win over Swindon Town in the penultimate match to take his record to six goals in seven games.Brown 2003 60 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118356009 Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News 10 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Gillingham Hit Back to Win 4 May 1951 Gillingham ended the season with a 2–1 defeat at home to Plymouth Argyle, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118342582 Sunday Dispatch 10 February 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Argyle Attack Finds Power 6 May 1951 leaving them 22nd in the Third Division South, six points above the bottom two teams, who were required to apply for re-election to the Football League.Soar Tyler 1983 110 League match details Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal +ResultsBrown 2003 60DateOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance19 August 1950Colchester United (H)0–019,54223 August 1950Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic (A)1–3Veck16,07026 August 1950Bristol City (A)0–219,72530 August 1950Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic (H)2–2Veck (pen.), Russell15,3972 September 1950Millwall (H)4–3Russell, Veck, Briggs, C. Burtenshaw20,1284 September 1950Bristol Rovers (A)0–314,5199 September 1950Watford (A)0–510,21313 September 1950Bristol Rovers (H)1–0Veck (pen.)12,29316 September 1950Walsall (H)4–1Lewis (3), Campbell14,62823 September 1950Leyton Orient (A)0–416,00530 September 1950Ipswich Town (H)0–112,8537 October 1950Crystal Palace (A)3–4Veck, Briggs (o.g.), Marks18,95414 October 1950Brighton & Hove Albion (H)1–1Forrester15,06021 October 1950Newport County (A)0–19,82828 October 1950Norwich City (H)2–2Thomas, Veck (pen.)14,3484 November 1950Northampton Town (A)1–4Carr10,78511 November 1950Port Vale (H)1–1Thomas12,10318 November 1950Nottingham Forest (A)2–9Veck, Thomas20,5512 December 1950Aldershot (A)4–2Thomas (3), Carr7,25316 December 1950Colchester United (A)2–4Briggs, Thomas6,94123 December 1950Bristol City (H)1–2B. Burtenshaw8,57525 December 1950Reading (H)0–39,53926 December 1950Reading (A)1–1B. Burtenshaw17,40130 December 1950Millwall (A)3–4Thomas, C. Burtenshaw, Lewis20,53013 January 1951Watford (H)3–1Thomas, Eggleston (o.g.), Veck10,03817 January 1951Exeter City (H)9–4Lewis (3), Thomas (2), McGuire (2), Veck, Doyle (o.g.)4,60120 January 1951Walsall (A)1–2Lewis8,8173 February 1951Leyton Orient (H)1–0Veck8,3587 February 1951Exeter City (A)2–1Campbell, Thomas5,14010 February 1951Torquay United (H)2–0Veck (pen.), C. Burtenshaw12,99517 February 1951Ipswich Town (A)1–5C. Burtenshaw9,67624 February 1951Crystal Palace (H)0–011,4783 March 1951Brighton & Hove Albion (A)2–2Thomas (2)10,58810 March 1951Newport County (H)0–19,05017 March 1951Norwich City (A)0–218,94323 March 1951Southend United (H)0–015,35624 March 1951Northampton Town (H)3–1Veck, Lewis, Thomas10,65726 March 1951Southend United (A)0–414,50031 March 1951Port Vale (A)3–4Hales (3)5,4007 April 1951Nottingham Forest (H)1–4Thomas13,84514 April 1951Torquay United (A)2–1Thomas (2)6,60518 April 1951Plymouth Argyle (A)0–211,31321 April 1951Aldershot (H)3–0B. Burtenshaw, Hales, Thomas10,49228 April 1951Swindon Town (A)0–23,9152 May 1951Swindon Town (H)2–1Hales (2, 1 pen.)8,2855 May 1951Plymouth Argyle (H)1–2B. Burtenshaw12,096 Partial league table 1950–51 Football League Third Division South main WDL left auto Football League Third Division South final table, bottom positions yes 2 21 NOR Northampton Town GIL Gillingham WAT Watford CRY Crystal Palace 10 16 20 55 67 13 9 24 69 101 9 11 26 54 88 8 11 27 33 84 Required to apply for re-election R R complete Soar Tyler 1983 214 Cup matches FA Cup thumb|right|alt=White Hart Lane football stadium|Gillingham were eliminated from the FA Cup at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane ground (pictured in 1991). As a Third Division South club, Gillingham entered the 1950–51 FA Cup in the first round; their opponents were Linby Colliery of the Central Alliance, a semi-professional team including several players employed at the eponymous mining facility. Linby had won through six qualifying rounds to reach this stage of the competition, the only team to do so. Gillingham took a four-goal lead in the first half and, although they conceded a goal in the second half, held on for a 4–1 victory. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116882811 The Observer 20 January 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Features of the Cup 26 November 1950https://www.thefa.com/competitions/thefacup/results-archive Results Archive – Emirates FA Cup The Football Association 20 January 2023 Select "1950/1951" on the "Season" dropdown. In the second round, Gillingham played away to fellow Third Division South club Bristol Rovers. Thomas gave Gillingham the lead before Rovers scored twice; a late goal from Jackie Carr meant that the game ended in a draw and a replay was required. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116880630 Sunday Pictorial 20 January 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Gage Saved Gillingham 10 December 1950 Four days later at Priestfield, Rovers took the lead but Carr scored to ensure another draw. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116880854 The Daily Telegraph 20 January 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Bristol Lapse Lets Gillingham Draw 14 December 1950 Under the rules of the competition the second replay took place at a neutral venue. At Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane ground, Gillingham took the lead with a goal from Lewis but Rovers scored twice to win the game and eliminate Gillingham from the competition. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116881023 The Daily Telegraph 20 January 2023 Newspapers.com subscription Bristol Rovers Through 19 December 1950 FA Cup match details Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match N = Match played at a neutral venue +ResultsBrown 2003 60DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance25 November 1950FirstLinby Colliery (A)4–1Thomas, C.Burtenshaw, B.Burtenshaw, Jenkins4,6359 December 1950SecondBristol Rovers (A)2–2Thomas, Carr15,47913 December 1950Second (replay)Bristol Rovers (H)1–1 (a.e.t.)Carr10,64218 December 1950Second (second replay)Bristol Rovers (N)1–2Lewis3,927 Players During the season, 27 players made at least one appearance for Gillingham. Jimmy Boswell made the most, playing in 42 league games and all four FA Cup matches. Charlie Marks made more league appearances, playing 44 times, but did not feature in any of the FA Cup games. Day made the fewest appearances, playing only once. The game proved to be the only Football League appearance of his career.Hugman 2005 221 Thomas was the team's leading scorer with 21 goals in total; Veck and Lewis both also reached double figures.Brown 2003 60 +Player statisticsBrown 2003 60PlayerPositionThird Division SouthFA CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHarry Ayres footballerHB34040380Jimmy BoswellHB42040460Jackie BriggsFW14200142Johnny Burke footballerGK500050Bill BurtenshawFW24441285Charlie BurtenshawFW26441305Joe Campbell footballer, born 1925FW12200122Jackie Carr Scottish footballerFW11232144Bill Collins footballer, born 1920HB13000130Jack DayGK100010George DorlingFB10040140George Forrester footballer, born 1927FW18100181Larry GageGK40040440Billy HalesFW860086Len HensonHB600060Randolph JenkinsFW203151Tommy KingsnorthHB28000280Ron LewinFB38040420Derek Lewis footballerFW209112110Charlie MarksFB44100441Les McGuireFW520052George Piper footballerHB400040Hughie RussellFW21200212Mike SkivingtonHB8040120Dave Thomas footballer, born 1917FW3419423821Bobby VeckFW3612103712Johnny WarsapFW200020 FW = Forward, HB = Half-back, GK = Goalkeeper, FB = Full-back Aftermath Gillingham's first season back in the Football League was not a success in financial terms; transfer fees and increased wages meant that the club registered a loss of UK 12,483 1951 eq yes £ -2.Bradley Triggs 1994 141 There was once again significant turnover of the club's playing staff at the end of the season. Veteran goalkeeper Burke opted to retire from football.Triggs 2001 75 Veck, the team's second-highest goalscorer, was offered a new contract with the club but rejected it and signed for Chelmsford City of the Southern League.Triggs 2001 323 Gage, Carr, George Piper and Joe Campbell also left to join Southern League clubs.Triggs 2001 80, 81, 127, 256 Skivington was signed by Brentford of the Football League Second Division but did not play a game for them before moving on.Triggs 2001 297Hugman 2005 779 Gillingham continued to struggle in the Third Division South, finishing in the bottom four in both of the following two seasons.Soar Tyler 1983 110 References Works cited Bradley Andy Roger Triggs Home of the Shouting Men: Complete History of Gillingham Football Club 1893–1993 Gillingham F.C. Gillingham 1994 0-9523361-0-3 Brown Tony The Definitive Gillingham F.C.: A Complete Record Soccerdata Nottingham 2003 1-899468-20-X Elligate David Gillingham FC On This Day Pitch Publishing 2009 978-1-9054-1145-0 Durrington Barry Hugman The PFA Premier and Football League Players' Records 1946-2005 Queen Anne Press 2005 978-1-85291-665-7 London Mitchell Colin Reeves Jon Tyler Daniel The History of English Football Clubs New Holland Publishers 2013 978-1-78009-449-6 London Rollin Jack Rothmans Football Yearbook 1990–91 Queen Anne Press 1990 978-0-35617-911-7 London Soar Phil Martin Tyler Encyclopedia of British Football 1983 Collins Willow 978-0-0021-8049-8 London Roger Triggs Images of England: Gillingham Football Club Tempus Publishing Ltd 1999 978-0-75241-567-3 Stroud Roger Triggs The Men Who Made Gillingham Football Club Tempus Publishing Ltd 2001 978-0-75242-243-5 Stroud Category:Gillingham F.C. seasons Gillingham FC Season, 1950–51