2002–03 Gillingham F.C. season

English football club season July 2024 February 2015 Gillingham F.C. 2002–03 Andy Hessenthaler Paul Scally First Division 11th FA Cup Fourth round League Cup Third round Paul Shaw (12) Paul Shaw (12) 11,093 (v Leeds United, 25 January 2003) 6,281 (v Bradford City, 21 April 2003) _vneckwhite _band_white 0000ff 0000ff 0000ff 0000ff 0000ff ffffff ffffff ffffff ffffff ffffff 2001–02 2003–04 During the 2002–03 English football season, Gillingham F.C. competed in the Football League First Division, the second tier of the English football league system. It was the 71st season in which Gillingham competed in the Football League, and the 53rd since the club was voted back into the league in 1950. It was Gillingham's third consecutive season in the second tier of the English football league system, to which the club had gained promotion for the first time in 2000. Gillingham won their first three games of the season in August, which placed them first in the league table, but their form for the rest of 2002 was inconsistent and at the end of the calendar year they were in 13th place out of 24 teams. Marlon King, the team's top goalscorer during the previous season, missed the start of the campaign after being sent to prison; he returned to the team within days of his release in October and scored several important goals but then suffered a season-ending injury. Three wins in late February and early March took Gillingham up to 8th place, two places outside the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League, but the team could not improve on this position and ultimately ended the season in 11th place. This represented Gillingham's highest ever finish in the English league system. Gillingham also competed in two knock-out tournaments. In the FA Cup, the team reached the fourth round but then lost to Leeds United of the Premier League in a replay after holding their opponents to a draw in the initial match. They were also eliminated from the Football League Cup by a Premier League team, losing to Chelsea in the third round. Gillingham played 52 competitive matches, winning 19, drawing 15, and losing 18. Paul Shaw was the team's top goalscorer with 12 goals. Chris Hope made the most appearances, playing in every one of the team's matches for the third consecutive season. The highest attendance recorded at the club's home ground, Priestfield Stadium, was 11,093 for the FA Cup match against Leeds on 25 January. Background and pre-season thumb|left|upright|alt=Footballer Mamady Sidibé|Mamady Sidibé (pictured in 2012) joined Gillingham after impressing the club's management in pre-season games. The 2002–03 season was Gillingham's 71st season playing in the Football League and the 53rd since the club was elected back into the League in 1950 after being voted out in 1938.Rollin Rollin 2000 34–35 In the 1999–2000 season, Gillingham beat Wigan Athletic in the Second Division play-off final to reach 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/767702.stm Second time lucky for Gills BBC Sport 28 May 2000 4 July 2021 3 March 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030303203928/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/767702.stm live In the team's first season at this level, Gillingham were seen by pundits as likely to struggle in the First Division and potentially finish 22nd or lower out of 24 teams in the league table, which would result in relegation back to the third tier, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A75843392/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=e7b105dc The Observer 23 November 2021 Gale Football: Nationwide League Countdown: Nationwide predictions Jason Tomas 6 August 2000 subscription 6 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074452/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA75843392&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=e7b105dc live https://www.newspapers.com/clip/148381859 The Sunday Telegraph 30 May 2024 Newspapers.com Nationwide Division 1 6 August 2002 96 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074452/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-telegraph/148381859/ liveRollin Rollin 2001 44 but instead the team finished in 13th place.Rollin Rollin 2001 44 The following season, they improved on this performance, finishing in 12th place. Andy Hessenthaler was the club's player-manager,Rollin Rollin 2003 186 a position he had held since 2000.Rollin Rollin 2003 187 Richard Hill, who had held the title of assistant manager during the previous season, was made joint head coach with Wayne Jones, whose job title had previously been first team coach. Both were not offered new long-term contracts but required to work on week-by-week contracts due to financial issues at the club linked to the collapse of ITV Digital and the resultant loss of the Football League's lucrative TV rights deal with the broadcaster.https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/hill-loses-assistant-managers-t-a3909/ Hill loses assistant manager's title 6 June 2002 28 May 2024 Kent Online KM Media Group 28 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240528094413/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/hill-loses-assistant-managers-t-a3909/ livehttps://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/everyone-said-this-sounds-too-good-to-be-true-it-turned-out-to-be-exactly-that-remembering-the-fall-of-itv-digital-twenty-years-on "Everyone said, 'This sounds too good to be true'. It turned out to be exactly that." – Remembering the fall of ITV Digital, twenty years on 30 April 2022 28 May 2024 FourFourTwo Gary Parkinson 28 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240528094910/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/everyone-said-this-sounds-too-good-to-be-true-it-turned-out-to-be-exactly-that-remembering-the-fall-of-itv-digital-twenty-years-on live Shortly after the end of the previous season, Marlon King, Gillingham's top goalscorer during the 2001–02 campaign,Brown 2003 111 was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being caught driving a stolen car the previous year.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/1979342.stm Footballer jailed over stolen car 10 May 2002 28 May 2024 BBC News 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074505/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/1979342.stm live In his absence, Gillingham signed two experienced forwards on free transfers, 31-year-old Tommy Johnson from Kilmarnock and Rod Wallace, aged 32, from Bolton Wanderers.Rollin Rollin 2003 476, 477 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/148613025 The Daily Telegraph 3 June 2024 Newspapers.com Club guide John Ley 9 August 2002 37 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074453/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/148613025/ live The club's chairman, Paul Scally, described the signing of Wallace, who had played at the highest level of football in both England and Scotland, as "the biggest acquisition the club has ever made".https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/hess-wallace-signing-gives-ever-a4124/ Hess: Wallace signing gives everyone a lift Kent Online KM Media Group 25 June 2002 3 June 2024 3 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240603083423/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/hess-wallace-signing-gives-ever-a4124/ livehttps://www.skysports.com/football/news/2239783/gills-complete-wallace-signing Gills complete Wallace signing James Pearson Sky Sports 3 June 2024 3 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240603083423/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2239783/gills-complete-wallace-signing live Days before the new season started, the club also signed another forward, 22-year-old Mamady Sidibé, who had been released by Swansea City at the end of the previous campaign; he was offered a contract after playing for Gillingham in pre-season friendly matches. Hessenthaler told the press: "We see him as the future because we've got a lot of players who are 30-plus and we need to start bringing a few younger ones in."https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/2178224.stm Gills sign striker Sidibe 7 August 2002 28 May 2024 BBC Sport 28 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240528080558/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/2178224.stm liveRollin Rollin 2003 476 Gillingham's first-choice kit consisted of shirts, shorts, and socks all in the club's traditional blue; the second-choice kit, to be worn when there was a clash of colours with the opposition and Gillingham were the team required by the rules of the competition to change, was all-white.Gillingham Vs Derby County Matchday Programme Gillingham F.C. GFC 2002/2003 13 August 2002 34–35 The team's pre-season games included one against Tottenham Hotspur of the Premier League during which Hessenthaler gave game time to over 20 players.Gillingham Vs Derby County Matchday Programme Gillingham F.C. Friendly Fire 13 August 2002 28 Previewing the season, a writer for The Independent said of Gillingham's prospects that "finishing in the top half [of the league table] might be beyond them". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/148258550 The Independent 28 May 2024 Newspapers.com First Division Team by Team Guide 10 August 2002 27 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074954/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent/148258550/ live A writer for The Guardian predicted the finishing position of every team in the division and contended that Gillingham would finish 18th. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/148259046 The Guardian 28 May 2024 Newspapers.com First Division predictions and fixtures 12 August 2002 186 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074954/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/148259046/ live First Division August–December Gillingham's first game of the season was away to Wimbledon on 10 August.Rollin Rollin 2003 188 The match drew an attendance of only 2,476, less than half that of any other league game which Gillingham played during the season, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/148612294 The Independent 3 June 2024 Newspapers.com First Division team news 10 August 2002 26 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074955/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent/148612294/ liveBrown 2003 112 as Wimbledon's supporters almost totally boycotted the game in protest against a proposal by their team's owners to relocate the club to Milton Keynes.Elligate 2009 122https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2183219.stm Wimbledon 0–1 Gillingham 10 August 2002 27 May 2024 BBC Sport 14 October 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221014020101/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2183219.stm live Both Wallace and Johnson were carrying injuries and Sidibé was chosen to partner Guy Ipoua in attack;Rollin Rollin 2003 189https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/2221429.stm Gills make their mark Paul Fletcher BBC Sport 29 August 2002 12 June 2024 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074956/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/2221429.stm live Ipoua scored the only goal of the game to give Gillingham a 1–0 victory. Johnson made his debut as a substitute.Rollin Rollin 2003 189 The first game of the season at Gillingham's home ground, Priestfield Stadium,Rollin Rollin 2003 188 took place three days later and resulted in a second consecutive 1–0 win, a goal from Paul Shaw securing victory over Derby County, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149244132 The Daily Telegraph 13 June 2024 Newspapers.com Shaw shows Gillingham way home 14 August 2002 32 Marc Isaacs 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074956/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/149244132/ livehttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2184891.stm Gillingham 1–0 Derby 13 August 2002 29 May 2024 BBC Sport 8 March 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040308143626/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2184891.stm live and a third 1–0 victory on 17 August against Millwall meant that Gillingham were the only team in the division to have won their first three games, putting them top of the table.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2195344.stm Gillingham 1–0 Millwall 17 August 2002 30 May 2024 BBC Sport 4 April 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030404072748/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2195344.stm livehttps://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/17-August-2002/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 17 August 2002 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 30 May 2024 30 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240530075906/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/17-August-2002/ live After this strong start, however, the team would only win one of their next ten league games.Rollin Rollin 2003 188 After coming on as a substitute in every previous game, Johnson was included in the starting line-up for the first time in a 2–0 defeat to Leicester City on 31 August;Rollin Rollin 2003 189 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149244166 The Sunday Telegraph 13 June 2024 Newspapers.com Foxes feel at home 1 September 2002 71 Michael Staniforth 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074957/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-telegraph/149244166/ live Wallace made his first Gillingham appearance in the same game as a substitute but he picked up another injuryGillingham Vs Portsmouth Matchday Programme Gillingham F.C. In Charge Andy Hessenthaler Andy Hessenthaler 7 September 2002 7 and would be absent from the team for nearly a month.Rollin Rollin 2003 189 thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Marlon King|Marlon King (pictured in 2012) made his return to the team in October after his release from prison. After losing their first game of September to Portsmouth,Rollin Rollin 2003 188 Gillingham won a league match for the first time in nearly a month when they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4–2 on 14 September despite finishing the game with nine players after both Mark Saunders and Kevin James were sent off,https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2241402.stm Brighton 2–4 Gillingham 14 September 2002 5 June 2024 BBC Sport 14 August 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030814071245/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2241402.stm live the latter for a second caution awarded for excessive celebrating after his goal.Elligate 2009 144 Four days later, however, Gillingham were heavily defeated, losing 4–1 to Nottingham Forest.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2257802.stm Nottm Forest 4–1 Gillingham 18 September 2002 6 June 2024 BBC Sport 29 April 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040429164103/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2257802.stm live https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149307380 The Daily Telegraph 14 June 2024 Newspapers.com Gillingham crushed by Harewood 19 September 2002 52 Ian Edwards Increasing numbers of injuries meant that Hessenthaler was forced to bring several players from the club's youth team into the squad for the game against Sheffield United on 21 September, which ended in a 1–1 draw. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/148818761 The Observer 6 June 2024 Newspapers.com Division One review: yesterday's games 22 September 2002 67 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074958/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-observer/148818761/ live https://www.newspapers.com/clip/148819635 The Independent 6 June 2024 Newspapers.com Team news 21 September 2002 28 Wallace made his first appearance in the starting line-up in a 2–2 draw against Crystal Palace in the final match of September, as did Leon Johnson, a defender signed from Southend United.Rollin Rollin 2003 189, 476 Jason Brown, the team's goalkeeper, went off injured and was replaced by Vince Bartram, who had been the team's first-choice starter in the position for nearly four seasons before losing his place to Brown in the latter part of the previous campaign.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2287404.stm Palace peg back Gills 29 September 2002 13 June 2024 BBC Sport 29 April 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040429001312/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2287404.stm liveBrown 2003 109–112 Wallace scored his first goal for Gillingham in a 1–1 draw away to Rotherham United on 12 October,https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/wallace-that-goal-was-only-the--a5592/ Wallace: That goal was only the start Kent Online KM Media Group 14 October 2002 13 June 2024 but after that game he would again be out of the team for six weeks.Rollin Rollin 2003 189 Sidibé returned to the team against Watford on 19 October after over a month out of action and scored a goal within two minutes.Rollin Rollin 2003 188, 189https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2313861.stm Gillingham 3–0 Watford 19 October 2002 7 June 2024 BBC Sport 6 July 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040706034101/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2313861.stm live Gillingham won 3–0, their first victory in over a month, which moved them up from 13th to 11th in the table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/18-October-2002/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 18 October 2002 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 7 June 2024 7 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240607084023/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/18-October-2002/ livehttps://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/19-October-2002/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 19 October 2002 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 7 June 2024 7 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240607084022/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/19-October-2002/ live On 26 October, Gillingham played away to Ipswich Town. King, who had been released from prison just three days earlier after the length of his sentence was reduced following an appeal,Elligate 2009 163 was named as a substitute,https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/oct/28/match.sport5 Ipswich look for Royle seal of approval Matthew Hancock The Guardian 28 October 2002 28 May 2024 and took the field during the second half.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2342263.stm Ipswich 0–1 Gillingham 26 October 2002 30 May 2024 BBC Sport 12 June 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040612182448/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2342263.stm live Sidibé scored to give Gillingham a 1–0 victory which left them in 9th place in the table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/26-October-2002/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 26 October 2002 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 30 May 2024 30 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240530185502/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/26-October-2002/ live Three days later, Gillingham lost 4–0 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers in a hot-tempered match in which several players were cautioned and Gillingham's Nyron Nosworthy was sent off.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2356551.stm Gillingham 0–4 Wolves 29 October 2002 30 May 2024 BBC Sport 5 April 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040405061308/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2356551.stm live Gillingham played five First Division matches in November and failed to record any victories. A goal from Saunders in the 89th minute of the game salvaged a draw away to 23rd-placed Grimsby Town on 2 November,https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/01-November-2002/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 01 November 2002 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 13 June 2024 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073303/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/01-November-2002/ livehttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2363885.stm Grimsby 1–1 Gillingham 2 November 2002 13 June 2024 BBC Sport 14 July 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040714133400/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2363885.stm live but Gillingham then lost 1–0 at home to Reading,https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2387965.stm Gillingham 0–1 Reading 9 November 2002 13 June 2024 BBC Sport 8 July 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040708162348/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2387965.stm live and conceded a 90th-minute equaliser after leading 1–0 for most of the game against Sheffield Wednesday; Hessenthaler was sent off in the latter game.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2429953.stm Gillingham 1–1 Sheff Wed 16 November 2002 13 June 2024 BBC Sport 7 July 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040707003434/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2429953.stm live Gillingham lost 1–0 away to Walsall on 23 November, and ended the month with a 1–1 draw against Stoke City; the result meant that they had gone six league games without a win and had slipped to 17th place in the table.Rollin Rollin 2003 188https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/30-November-2002/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 30 November 2002 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 6 June 2024 6 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240606074253/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/30-November-2002/ live Nicky Southall, who had left Gillingham in 2001 to join Bolton Wanderers of the Premier League, made his second debut for Gillingham against Bradford City on 7 December having rejoined the club.Rollin Rollin 2003 189https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/2563041.stm Southall back at Priestfield 10 December 2002 13 June 2024 BBC Sport 22 December 2002 https://web.archive.org/web/20021222003634/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/2563041.stm live King scored twice in a 3–1 victory, Gillingham's first win since 19 October.Rollin Rollin 2003 188 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149279009 The Observer 13 June 2024 Newspapers.com Kuqi finds the right finish to thwart Brighton 8 December 2002 78 Jason Tomas 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073306/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-observer/149279009/ live It was the first of a run of three consecutive victories as Gillingham won 2–0 away to Sheffield Wednesday a week later and then beat Burnley 4–2 at Priestfield on 22 December despite having only 16 fit players from which to select the starting line-up and substitutes.Rollin Rollin 2003 188 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149305670 The Observer 14 June 2024 Newspapers.com Woeful Wednesday Jason Tomas 22 December 2002 47 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073307/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-observer/149305670/ live Wallace scored in all three games; the matches against Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley marked the first time he had started two consecutive games all season.Rollin Rollin 2003 189 A draw against Millwall on 26 December meant that at the end of 2002, Gillingham were in 13th place in the league table.Rollin Rollin 2003 188https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/31-December-2002/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 31 December 2002 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 5 June 2024 5 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240605094408/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/31-December-2002/ live January–May thumb|right|upright|alt=Football Nyron Nosworthy|Nyron Nosworthy (pictured in 2012) scored twice in Gillingham's final game of the season. Gillingham had originally been scheduled to begin 2003 with a home game against Norwich City on 1 January, but it was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/148510881 The Guardian 1 June 2024 Newspapers.com Football results 2 January 2003 23 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073308/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/148510881/ live and so the team's first league game of the calendar year was ten days later away to Derby County.Rollin Rollin 2003 188 Ipoua scored for Gillingham but Derby equalised and the game ended in a draw, which BBC Sport's report said was a fair result.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2611285.stm Derby 1–1 Gillingham 11 January 2003 30 May 2024 BBC Sport 28 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240528193750/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2611285.stm live King suffered a knee injury, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149119563 The Observer 11 June 2024 Newspapers.com Sidibe strikes puts skids under Foxes Stuart Barnes 19 January 2003 84 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073338/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-observer/149119563/ live and would not play again during the season.Brown 2003 112 A week later, Gillingham played Leicester City, who were second in the table going into the game.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/17-January-2003/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 17 January 2003 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 11 June 2024 11 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240611092433/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/17-January-2003/ live A goal from Shaw and an opponent's own goal gave Gillingham a 2–0 lead at half-time but Leicester scored twice after the interval to bring the scores level. In the final five minutes of the game, Wallace set up Sidibé to score and give Gillingham the victory.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2648657.stm Gillingham 3–2 Leicester 18 January 2003 11 June 2024 BBC Sport 15 May 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040515235101/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2648657.stm live The team's seven-game unbeaten run in the league ended on 1 February with a 3–0 defeat to Preston North End, who had not won in their preceding six league games,https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2693879.stm Preston 3–0 Gillingham 11 February 2003 11 June 2024 BBC Sport 14 June 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040614073058/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2693879.stm liveRollin Rollin 2003 308 and this was followed by a 2–1 defeat to Reading which meant that Gillingham were again 17th in the table.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2715903.stm Reading 2–1 Gillingham 13 February 2003 11 June 2024 BBC Sport 14 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220114130940/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2715903.stm livehttps://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/10-February-2003/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 10 February 2003 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 11 June 2024 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073306/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/10-February-2003/ live The team's run of poor form ended with a 3–0 victory at home to Grimsby Town on 15 February, in which Wallace scored two goals inside the first 15 minutes.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2740091.stm Gillingham 3–0 Grimsby 18 February 2003 11 June 2024 BBC Sport 23 May 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060523183823/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2740091.stm live After a 1–0 defeat to Portsmouth, who were top of the league table, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149275678 The Observer 13 June 2024 Newspapers.com Blades stunner Philip Cornwall 23 February 2003 85 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073309/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-observer/149275678/ live Wallace scored again to secure a 1–0 victory over play-off contenders Norwich City in the final game of February. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149275860 The Daily Telegraph 13 June 2024 Newspapers.com Gillingham pushing up Peter Bainbridge 26 February 2003 37 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073815/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/149275860/ live https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149276038 The Guardian 13 June 2024 Newspapers.com Wallace lifts Gillingham David Alexander 26 February 2003 26 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073811/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/149276038/ live Gillingham beat Brighton & Hove Albion 3–0 on 1 March; Tommy Johnson came on as a substitute for Sidibé early in the game and scored the second goal with a penalty kick, only the second time he had scored in 18 First Division appearances.Rollin Rollin 2003 188, 189 Paul Weaver of The Guardian said the game was decided by Johnson's "class" and named him man of the match. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149196319 The Guardian 12 June 2024 Newspapers.com Gillingham aim for the play-off party 3 March 2003 37 Paul Weaver 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073811/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/149196319/ live The victory left them 8th in the table, two places below the positions which would result in qualification for the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League.Rollin Rollin 2003 47 Hessenthaler told the press: "if we can go unbeaten through our next three games, we have a great chance of a play-off place". Three days later, however, Gillingham lost 4–1 at home to Nottingham Forest, ending an unbeaten run of nine games at their own ground; Hessenthaler commented that his team could not deal with their opponents' pace. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149254982 The Guardian 13 June 2024 Newspapers.com Huckerby shows First class 5 March 2003 35 David Alexander 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073811/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/149254982/ live Shaw scored twice in the next game at home to Wimbledon and Gillingham were winning 3–2 with three minutes of the game remaining but then conceded a goal from a penalty kick and had to settle for a draw. Hessenthaler told the press, "We've been a real force at home but we can't have joke defending like that. Seven goals in two games is just not good enough". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149258022 The Guardian 13 June 2024 Newspapers.com Shipperley applies final twist 12 March 2003 32 David Alexander 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073820/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/149258022/ live Gillingham beat Watford 1–0 on 18 March with a goal from Shaw after which they were 10th in the table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/18-March-2003/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 18 March 2003 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 13 June 2024 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073811/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/18-March-2003/ live https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149283270 Evening Standard 13 June 2024 Newspapers.com Lack of firepower dampens Watford Cup hopes 19 March 2003 68 Raoul Simons 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614073813/https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-standard/149283270/ live Four days later, they played away to Wolverhampton Wanderers; Bartram played in goal for the first time in five months.Rollin Rollin 2003 189 The home team scored five goals before half-time and added a sixth in the second half; the BBC Sport report said that Gillingham had been "ripped apart" and James Copnall of The Daily Telegraph wrote that their defending was "non-existent".https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2852729.stm Wolves 6–0 Gillingham 22 March 2003 28 May 2024 BBC Sport 7 May 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230507120049/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2852729.stm live https://www.newspapers.com/clip/148419350 The Daily Telegraph 31 May 2024 Newspapers.com Wolves take it one step at a time 24 March 2003 41 James Copnall 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074322/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/148419350/ live It was the first time Gillingham had conceded as many goals in a game since a match against the same opposition in 1989,Brown 2003 98–112 but despite the defeat, they remained in 10th place.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/22-March-2003/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 22 March 2003 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 10 June 2024 10 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240610203115/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/22-March-2003/ live The defeat was the first in a run of six games without a win for Gillingham; after a 2–2 draw away to Sheffield United, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149139718 The Independent Jon Culley 11 June 2024 Newspapers.com Peschisolido to rescue as Blades lack cutting edge 26 March 2003 29 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074323/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent/149139718/ live they took a 1–0 lead at home to Ipswich Town on 29 March but conceded three goals and lost the match 3–1.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2875417.stm Gillingham 1–3 Ipswich 29 March 2003 11 June 2024 BBC Sport 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2875417.stm live In the first three games of April, Gillingham failed to score any goals, drawing 0–0 away to Stoke City and losing 1–0 at home to Walsall and 2–0 away to Burnley.Rollin Rollin 2003 188https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2942129.stm Burnley 2–0 Gillingham 19 April 2003 12 June 2024 BBC Sport 19 April 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030419030715/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2942129.stm live The results left the team 14th in the table, 14 points below the play-off places with only three games remaining and therefore a maximum of nine more points available.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/19-April-2003/ League Division 1 table after close of play on 19 April 2003 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 13 June 2024 The scoreless run ended when a goal from Shaw secured a 1–0 win at home to Bradford City on 29 April.Rollin Rollin 2003 188 After being held to a goalless draw by Coventry City, who had won only one league game in 2003,https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2950725.stm Coventry 0–0 Gillingham 26 April 2003 12 June 2024 BBC Sport 4 May 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030504032057/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2950725.stm live Gillingham ended the season with a 2–1 victory at home to Crystal Palace. Nosworthy, normally a defender but playing as a forward due to injuries to King and Wallace, scored both goals, his first for the team for more than three years. The result meant that Gillingham ended the season in 11th place in the First Division, the highest finish in the English football league system in the club's history.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2967953.stm Gillingham 2–1 Palace 4 May 2003 28 May 2024 BBC Sport 14 August 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030814150119/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2967953.stm liveElligate 2009 80 League match details Key 22em In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal +ResultsRollin Rollin 2003 188–189DateOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance 10 August 2002 Wimbledon (A)1–0Ipoua2,476 13 August 2002 Derby County (H)1–0Shaw8,775 17 August 2002 Millwall (H)1–0Ipoua7,543 24 August 2002 Norwich City (A)0–1 20,588 26 August 2002 Preston North End (H)1–1Saunders7,785 31 August 2002 Leicester City (A)0–2 30,067 7 September 2002 Portsmouth (H)1–3James8,717 14 September 2002 Brighton & Hove Albion (A)4–2Shaw (2), Perpetuini, James6,733 18 September 2002 Nottingham Forest (A)1–4Hessenthaler16,073 21 September 2002 Sheffield United (H)1–1Shaw7,497 29 September 2002 Crystal Palace (A)2–2Perpetuini, Mullins (o.g.)15,699 5 October 2002 Coventry City (H)0–2 7,722 12 October 2002 Rotherham United (A)1–1Wallace6,094 19 October 2002 Watford (H)3–0Sidibe, Ipoua, James8,728 26 October 2002 Ipswich Town (A)1–0Sidibe24,176 29 October 2002 Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)0–4 10,036 2 November 2002 Grimsby Town (A)1–1Saunders5,715 9 November 2002 Reading (H)0–1 8,511 16 November 2002 Sheffield Wednesday (H)1–1T. Johnson8,028 23 November 2002 Walsall (A)0–1 6,630 30 November 2002 Stoke City (H)1–1Shaw8,150 7 December 2002 Bradford City (A)3–1King (2, 1 pen.), Wallace10,711 14 December 2002 Sheffield Wednesday (A)2–0Wallace, Smith17,715 21 December 2002 Burnley (H)4–2Wallace, Smith (2), King7,905 26 December 2002 Millwall (A)2–2Saunders, King (pen.)10,947 11 January 2003 Derby County (A)1–1Ipoua22,769 18 January 2003 Leicester City (H)3–2Shaw, Elliott (o.g.), Sidibe8,609 1 February 2003 Preston North End (A)0–3 12,121 10 February 2003 Reading (A)1–2Wallace11,030 15 February 2003 Grimsby Town (H)3–0Wallace (2), Hope7,158 22 February 2003 Portsmouth (A)0–1 19,521 25 February 2003 Norwich City (H)1–0Wallace7,935 1 March 2003 Brighton & Hove Albion (H)3–0Shaw, T. Johnson (pen.), Southall9,178 4 March 2003 Nottingham Forest (H)1–4Wallace7,277 11 March 2003 Wimbledon (H)3–3Shaw (2), Wallace7,884 15 March 2003 Rotherham United (H)1–1Wallace7,284 18 March 2003 Watford (A)1–0Shaw10,492 22 March 2003 Wolverhampton Wanderers (A)0–6 25,171 25 March 2003 Sheffield United (A)2–2Osborn, Shaw15,799 29 March 2003 Ipswich Town (H)1–3Smith8,508 5 April 2003 Stoke City (A)0–0 12,746 12 April 2003 Walsall (H)0–1 6,972 19 April 2003 Burnley (A)0–2 14,031 21 April 2003 Bradford City (H)1–0Shaw6,281 26 April 2003 Coventry City (A)0–0 14,795 4 May 2003 Crystal Palace (H)2–1Nosworthy (2)9,315 Partial league table 2002–03 Football League First Division main WDL left auto Football League First Division final table, positions 9–13 PR 9 MIL Millwall WIM Wimbledon GIL Gillingham PRE Preston North End WAT Watford 19 9 18 59 69 18 11 17 76 73 16 14 16 56 65 16 13 17 68 70 17 9 20 54 70 complete https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/30-may-2003/ League Division 1 end of season table for 2002–03 season 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 30 May 2024 30 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240530092233/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/30-may-2003/ live Cup matches FA Cup thumb|right|alt=Elland Road football stadium|Gillingham were eliminated from the FA Cup at Elland Road (pictured in 2023), home of Leeds United. As a First Division club, Gillingham entered the 2002–03 FA Cup at the third round stage in January; their opponents were fellow First Division team Sheffield Wednesday.Rollin Rollin 2003 615 Gillingham conceded a goal within the first five minutes of the game but King scored twice, taking his goal tally to six in his last five games in all competitions; he missed out on a hat-trick when he missed from a second-half penalty kick.Brown 2003 112 Further goals from Ipoua and Chris Hope gave Gillingham a 4–1 victory.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/2630995.stm Gills stroll past Owls 7 January 2003 7 June 2024 BBC Sport 7 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240607084545/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/2630995.stm live In the fourth round, Gillingham were drawn at home to Leeds United of the Premier League in a match that was selected by Sky Television for a live broadcast, earning the club a fee of £265,000.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/2671827.stm Leeds held at Gillingham 13 February 2003 5 June 2024 BBC Sport 19 November 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221119015438/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/2671827.stm livehttps://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/leeds-tie-puts-gills-in-the-mone-a6873/ Leeds tie puts Gills in the money Kent Online KM Media Group 9 January 2003 5 June 2024 5 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240605073933/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/leeds-tie-puts-gills-in-the-mone-a6873/ live Even though the match was being shown on television, it drew a crowd of 11,093, the largest attendance of the season at Priestfield.Brown 2003 112 Leeds scored a goal early in the second half but were reduced to ten players when Mark Viduka was sent off for deliberately elbowing Hessenthaler. Within two minutes, Sidibé scored for Gillingham and the match ended in a 1–1 draw, meaning that a replay at Elland Road, Leeds' home ground, was required. Viduka opened the scoring after 11 minutes of the replay and Leeds added another goal in the second half. Gillingham staged a late rally; Ipoua scored a goal with four minutes remaining and in the closing seconds Hessenthaler had a shot on goal saved by goalkeeper Paul Robinson, but Leeds held on for a 2–1 victory, which eliminated Gillingham from the competition.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/2708819.stm Leeds sink Gills 13 February 2003 5 June 2024 BBC Sport 23 May 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060523181408/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/2708819.stm liveElligate 2009 29 FA Cup match details Key 22em In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal +ResultsRollin Rollin 2003 615, 616DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance7 January 2003 ThirdSheffield Wednesday (H)4–1King (2, 1 pen.), Ipoua, Hope6,43425 January 2003 FourthLeeds United (H)1–1Sidibe11,0934 February 2003Fourth (replay) Leeds United (A)1–2Ipoua29,359 Football League Cup thumb|right|alt=Stamford Bridge football stadium|Gillingham were eliminated from the League Cup at Stamford Bridge (pictured in 2012), home of Chelsea. As a First Division team, Gillingham entered the 2002–03 Football League Cup in the first round; their opponents were Torquay United of the Third Division.Rollin Rollin 2003 47, 584 Despite what BBC Sport called "a defiant display" from the lower-league team, a goal from Hessenthaler secured a 1–0 victory for Gillingham.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2239188.stm Torquay 0–1 Gillingham 10 September 2002 7 June 2024 BBC Sport 4 June 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220604225142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2239188.stm live In the next round, Gillingham played Stockport County of the Second Division.Rollin Rollin 2003 47, 595 Gillingham fell behind but Ipoua scored an equaliser; the score remained 1–1 at the end of the regulation 90 minutes and so under the rules of the competition 30 minutes of extra time were played. Tommy Johnson scored what the media described as a "superb strike" and a "wonder goal" during the extra period to give Gillingham a 2–1 victory.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2281375.stm Stockport 1–2 Gillingham 1 October 2002 8 June 2024 BBC Sport 12 May 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230512115258/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2281375.stm live https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149246689 The Daily Telegraph 13 June 2024 Newspapers.com Rooney record for Everton Richard Bright 2 October 2002 55 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074326/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/149246689/ live Gillingham's opponents in the third round were Chelsea of the Premier League; it was the third time in four seasons that the two teams had been drawn together in a cup competition following FA Cup matches in 2000 and 2001.Brown 2003 109–112 The match took place at Chelsea's home ground, Stamford Bridge, and the home team scored after 20 minutes and then doubled their lead in the second half. King scored a goal for Gillingham, his first since his release from prison,Brown 2003 112 in the last minute of the game but his team lost 2–1 and were eliminated from the League Cup.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2390945.stm Cole ends Gills hopes 6 November 2002 5 June 2024 BBC Sport 7 December 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221207174502/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2390945.stm live https://www.newspapers.com/clip/149186941 The Daily Telegraph 12 June 2024 Newspapers.com Cole back with a bang Steve Thomson 7 November 2002 55 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074325/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/149186941/ live League Cup match details Key 22em In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal +ResultsRollin Rollin 2003 594, 595, 59710 September 2002 FirstTorquay United (A)1–0Hessenthaler1,9811 October 2002 SecondStockport County (A)2–1 (a.e.t.)Ipoua, T, Johnson2,3966 November 2002 ThirdChelsea (A)1–2King28,033 Players thumb|right|upright|Paul Shaw (pictured in 2011) was the team's top goalscorer. thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Jason Brown|Jason Brown (pictured in 2015) made 39 appearances in goal. thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Andy Hessenthaler|Andy Hessenthaler (pictured in 2009), the team's player-manager, made 38 appearances during the season. During the season, 27 players made at least one appearance for Gillingham. Hope made the most, playing in every one of the team's 52 games; it was the third consecutive season in which he had been ever-present for the team, taking his run of consecutive appearances for the team since he joined Gillingham in 2000 to 156.Brown 2003 110–112 Paul Smith played 50 times, and four other players made more than 40 appearances. Six players appeared fewer than five times; the teenager Andrew Crofts was the only one who played in just one game.Brown 2003 112 Of the 15 players who scored at least one goal for the team, Shaw was the highest scorer with 12, all scored in league games. Wallace scored 11 goals, also all in the league; no other player scored more than seven times.Brown 2003 112 +Player statisticsBrown 2003 112No. Squad numberPlayerPositionFirst DivisionFA CupLeague CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals1Vince BartramGK800010902Mark Patterson footballer, born 1968DF 200010303Roland EdgeDF 34020103704Paul Smith footballer, born 1971MF 45420305045Barry AshbyDF 38020304307Nyron NosworthyDF/FW 39220204328Andy HessenthalerMF 33130213829Marlon KingFW 104121112710Guy IpouaFW 334323139712Paul Shaw footballerMF/FW 44122030491213Jason Brown footballerGK 390302044014Leon Johnson footballerDF 180101020015Mark Saunders footballerMF 343202038316Richard Rose footballerDF 2000103017No aAdrian PennockDF 3000003017.1 17No aAkwasi Edusei Akwasi Fobi-Edusei DF2000002018Chris Hope footballerDF 461313052219Rod WallaceFW 22112010251120Kevin James English footballerDF/FW 153101017321Simon OsbornMF 181000018122Danny SpillerMF 100102013023Tommy Johnson footballer, born 1971FW 262102129326David PerpetuiniDF 292103033227Jones AwuahFW 4000004028Andrew Crofts footballerMF 0000101029Mamady SidibéFW 303311034430Nicky SouthallMF/DF 2413000271 FW = Forward, MF = Midfielder, GK = Goalkeeper, DF = Defender a. No Edusei was not allocated a squad number until late in the season and was given the number worn earlier in the season by Pennock, who had since left the club.Gillingham Vs Crystal Palace Matchday Programme Gillingham F.C. The teams 4 May 2003 68 Aftermath In terms of league standings, the 2002–03 season proved to be the peak of Gillingham's time in the second tier of English football. The following season, they finished 21st, level on points with 22nd-placed Walsall and avoiding relegation only by virtue of a superior goal difference.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/may/10/match.stokecity?CMP=gu_com Gillingham live to fight again The Guardian 10 May 2004 Jeremy Alexander 30 May 2024 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074329/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/may/10/match.stokecity?CMP=gu_com livehttps://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/30-may-2004/ League Division 1 end of season table for 2003–04 season 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 30 May 2024 30 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240530090806/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/30-may-2004/ live Hessenthaler resigned as manager in November 2004 as the team again struggled near the foot of the renamed Football League Championship,https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/nov/23/newsstory.sport9 Hessenthaler resigns as Gillingham boss The Guardian 23 November 2004 30 May 2024 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614074325/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/nov/23/newsstory.sport9 livehttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jun/10/newsstory.sport3 Division One renamed The Championship The Guardian 10 June 2004 13 June 2024 11 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170811182319/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jun/10/newsstory.sport3 live and at the end of the 2004–05 season Gillingham were relegated, ending a five-season spell in the division.https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4874103/2023/09/22/gillingham-us-takeover-galinson/ Gillingham's U.S. takeover has brought real and rapid change – 'English clubs are special' Nancy Froston 22 September 2023 The Athletic 30 May 2024 30 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240530201226/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4874103/2023/09/22/gillingham-us-takeover-galinson/ live 2024, the club has never returned to the second tier of English football.https://fbref.com/en/squads/5f01284a/history/Gillingham-Stats-and-History Gillingham FC Stats and History FBRef Sports Reference LLC 30 May 2024 30 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240530083714/https://fbref.com/en/squads/5f01284a/history/Gillingham-Stats-and-History live References Works cited Brown Tony The Definitive Gillingham F.C.: A Complete Record Soccerdata 2003 Nottingham 978-1-89946-820-1 Elligate David Gillingham FC On This Day Pitch Publishing 2009 978-1-90541-145-0 Durrington Rollin Glenda Rollin Jack Rothmans Football Yearbook 2000–01 Headline Book Publishing 2000 978-0-74727-232-8 London Rollin Glenda Rollin Jack Rothmans Football Yearbook 2001–02 Headline Book Publishing 2001 978-0-74727-260-1 London Rollin Glenda Rollin Jack Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2003–2004 Headline Book Publishing 2003 978-0-75531-227-6 London Category:Gillingham F.C. seasons Gillingham