1980–81 Gillingham F.C. season

February 2015 February 2015 Gillingham F.C. 1980–81 Clifford GrossmarkElligate 2009 173 Gerry Summers Third Division 15th FA Cup Second round League Cup Second round Ken Price (11) Ken Price (13) 9,099 vs Maidstone United (13 December 1980) 3,228 vs Chester (25 April 1981) 1979–80 1981–82 _whiteborder _vneckwhite _whiteborder _bluestripe2 0000ff 0000ff 0000ff ffffff ffffff _redhalf2 ffffff ffffff ffffff ff0000 ff0000 During the 1980–81 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 49th season in which Gillingham competed in the Football League, and the 31st since the club was voted back into the league in 1950. The team won only twice in their first 12 games of the season and their form remained poor; by the end of 1980, they were in 21st place in the Third Division league table, a position which, if maintained at the end of the season, would have resulted in relegation to the Fourth Division. Trevor Lee, signed for a new club record transfer fee, made his debut in January and was the team's highest-scoring player in the second half of the season. With two games remaining, Gillingham could still have potentially been relegated, but victory in their final home match of the season secured another season in the Third Division. The team's manager, Gerry Summers, was dismissed from his post shortly after the season ended. Gillingham also took part in two knockout competitions during the season. They were eliminated in the second round of the FA Cup after two replays by another Kent-based team, Maidstone United of the fifth-tier Alliance Premier League, in what was seen as a shock result. They also reached the second round of the Football League Cup. The team played 54 competitive matches, winning 15, drawing 21, and losing 18. Ken Price was the team's top goalscorer, with 13 goals. Andy Ford and Mark Weatherly made the most appearances, each playing 50 times. The highest attendance recorded at the club's home ground, Priestfield Stadium, was 9,099 for the initial FA Cup match against Maidstone United. Background and pre-season The 1980–81 season was Gillingham's 49th season playing in the Football League and the 31st since the club was re-elected to the League in 1950 after being voted out in 1938.Brown 2003 83–90, 114 It was the club's seventh 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 six 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.Rollin 1980 175 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 Gerry Summers was the team's manager, a position he had held since 1975;Rollin 1993 235 Alan Hodgkinson was assistant manager.Rollin 1980 175 Summers signed three new players prior to the new season: Peter Henderson, a winger, joined the club from Chester and Andy Ford, a defender, arrived from Swindon Town, both for transfer fees of UK 30,000 1980 eq yes £ -4.Triggs 2001 119, 153 Ford was appointed team captain.Rollin 1981 161 Kevin Lloyd, a forward, joined Gillingham on a free transfer from Cardiff City.Triggs 2001 175 The players' kit for the season consisted of Gillingham's usual blue shirts, white shorts and white socks.Rollin 1980 175 The away kit, to be worn in the event of a clash of colours with the home team, consisted of red and white halved shirts with red shorts and socks.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005096/19800804/312/0024 Gills putting on the style Kent Evening Post 24 4 August 1980 16 January 2026 British Newspaper Archive subscription Speaking to the press before the start of the season, Summers said that it was "now or never" in terms of the club gaining promotion, but Gillingham were seen as outsiders by bookmakers. With regard to his plans for the season, the manager said "I want only battlers and I don't care if they're lacking in technical aspects. So long as they've got guts and character, then we've all got a chance."https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005096/19800804/316/0025 The future is what matters, says Summers Kent Evening Post 25 Tony Hudd 4 August 1980 16 January 2026 British Newspaper Archive subscription Third Division August–December Gillingham's first league game of the season was away to Exeter City on 16 August;Rollin 1981 162 Ford scored Gillingham's goal in a 2–1 defeat. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57449625 The Observer 24 9 February 2026 Newspapers.com limited Football results 17 August 1980 Three days later, Gillingham played their first league match of the campaign at their home ground, Priestfield Stadium.Rollin 1981 162 Henderson scored his first goal for the club and Damien Richardson added a second to give Gillingham a 2–0 victory over Reading.Rollin 1981 162 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/190995754 Reading Evening Post 14 10 February 2026 Newspapers.com limited Reading out of luck as Gills take the chances 20 August 1980 Simon Mares Henderson scored again four days later as his team drew 1–1 with Barnsley, who had to play almost the entire game with only ten men after one of their players was sent off just three minutes after kick-off. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/191428085 Sunday Mirror 37 16 February 2026 Newspapers.com limited Gillingham 1 Barnsley 1 24 August 1980 Gillingham's inconsistent form continued as they lost 2–0 away to Chesterfield, but started September with a 3–2 victory at home to Newport County. Summers said after the Newport game that in the first half his players looked as tired as if they "had played five matches in four days", but he praised their improved performance in the second half. Newport's manager Len Ashurst, who had been Summers's predecessor as manager of Gillingham,Rollin 1993 235 criticised the referee, saying that Gillingham's first goal had been awarded despite a player being in what he considered to be a clearly offside position. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005096/19800908/267/0020 Kent Evening Post 20 23 February 2026 British Newspaper Archive subscription Gills boss unhappy with attack Tony Smith 8 September 1980 Following the victory over Newport, Gillingham did not win in their next seven league games.Rollin 1981 162 On 13 September, they drew 0–0 away to Carlisle United; John Sharpe had a chance to score for Gillingham from a penalty kick in the second half, but he missed. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005096/19800915/288/0019 Kent Evening Post 20 23 February 2026 British Newspaper Archive subscription Gills get point – but problems for Gerry Tony Smith 15 September 1980 The result was the same three days later at home to Huddersfield Town; after the game, Summers told the press his team's performance had been "terrible, just awful". https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005096/19800917/284/0016 Kent Evening Post 16 23 February 2026 British Newspaper Archive subscription Gerry's blast Tony Smith 17 September 1980 Due to injury, this was the final match which Henderson, who had only joined the club at the start of the season, played during the campaign.Rollin 1981 163Triggs 2001 153 The team's next game resulted in a 4–1 defeat away to Plymouth Argyle, who were top of the division and had yet to lose during the season; despite the scoreline, Tony Smith of the Kent Evening Post wrote that it was Gillingham's best performance away from home of the campaign so far. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005096/19800922/261/0019 Kent Evening Post 19 13 April 2026 British Newspaper Archive subscription Gills regain their pride Tony Smith 22 September 1980 A week later, it took an equalising goal in the final five minutes from Richardson to secure a 1–1 draw against an Oxford United side that Smith deemed the worst team Gillingham had played up to that point in the campaign. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005096/19800929/249/0019 Kent Evening Post 19 13 April 2026 British Newspaper Archive subscription Sub Damien to rescue Tony Smith 29 September 1980 Gillingham's poor form continued as they failed to score any goals in their next three games.Rollin 1981 162 They lost 1–0 away to Huddersfield Town on 30 September despite their opponents having to play more than half of the game with only ten men, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195688053 Huddersfield Daily Examiner 14 16 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Ten-man Town triumph against all the odds Paul Clark 1 October 1980 and were then beaten 4–0 by Blackpool, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195688291 Sunday Telegraph 39 16 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Blow for Aldershot 5 October 1980 a result which left Gillingham in the bottom four of the league table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/05-October-1980/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 05 October 1980 11v11 AFS Enterprises 16 April 2026 Following a goalless draw at home to fellow strugglers Swindon Town, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195688537 Western Daily Press 10 16 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Rowland lets it slip 8 October 1980 Gillingham ended their winless run with a 1–0 victory over Fulham on 11 October; Ron Hillyard, Gillingham's goalkeeper, saved a penalty kick in the closing minutes of the game to preserve his team's lead. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195688783 The Daily Telegraph 29 16 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Oakes fells Portsmouth 13 October 1980 The next game resulted in the team's sixth defeat in seven league games away from home,Rollin 1981 162 as they were beaten 2–0 by Rotherham United. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195689289 The Daily Telegraph 29 16 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Chesterfield – by a head 20 October 1980 thumb|right|alt=Fellows Park football stadium, Walsall|Gillingham drew 3–3 at Fellows Park, home ground of Walsall, on 1 November. Having only scored three goals in the preceding nine games, Gillingham scored ten in four games beginning on 20 October.Rollin 1981 162 The run began with a 3–3 draw away to Brentford; Ken Price scored two goals, and with less than five minutes remaining, Gillingham were leading 3–2 and on the verge of their first away Third Division win of the season, but Brentford scored again to secure a draw. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/192044248 The Daily Telegraph 30 24 February 2026 Newspapers.com limited Smith saves Brentford Paul Ward-Smith 21 October 1980 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005096/19801021/322/0023 Kent Evening Post 20 24 February 2026 British Newspaper Archive subscription Brave Gills are pipped Tony Smith 21 October 1980 Goals from Steve Bruce and Danny Westwood secured a 2–0 victory over what Smith called a "very poor" Hull City team on 25 October; https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005096/19801027/293/0019 Kent Evening Post 19 17 April 2026 British Newspaper Archive subscription Gills keep home fires burning Tony Smith 27 October 1980 three days later, the same two players scored early goals to give their team a 2–0 lead over Sheffield United, but United scored twice before half-time and the game finished 2–2. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005096/19801029/321/0019 Kent Evening Post 19 17 April 2026 British Newspaper Archive subscription What a thriller! 29 October 1980 The first two games of November ended in draws away from home.Rollin 1981 162 On 1 November, Gillingham drew 3–3 away to Walsall, Price scoring the final goal after the home team were 3–2 up at half-time, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195798614 Birmingham Evening Mail 29 18 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Saddlers defence crumbles again 3 November 1980 and three days later, the match against Swindon Town ended goalless.Rollin 1981 162 After 19 Third Division games, Gillingham had yet to lose in the league at Priestfield; in contrast, they had not won a league game away from home;https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/04-November-1980/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 04 November 1980 11v11 AFS Enterprises 26 February 2026 both runs ended in their next two games.Rollin 1981 162 On 8 November, they lost 1–0 at home to Portsmouth, who scored the only goal of the game in the 89th minute. Four days later, Gillingham won a Third Division match away from home for the first time during the season; a second-half goal from Billy Hughes secured a 1–0 victory away to Reading. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/192261365 Reading Evening Post 16 27 February 2026 Newspapers.com limited What a waste! 13 November 1980 Simon Mares Five of Gillingham's final six Third Division games of 1980 ended in defeat.Rollin 1981 162 On 15 November, they lost 5–1 at home to Exeter City; it was the first time that a visiting team had scored five goals at Priestfield since 1969.Brown 2003 78–90 Summers told the press that his team had been "annihilated" and said that "every team gets a drubbing at least once a season and we hope that this has been our first and last". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195798903 Western Morning News 17 18 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited City renew belief in promotion 17 November 1980 The team's final game of November was a 3–2 defeat away to Burnley and December began with a 1–0 loss to Charlton Athletic,Rollin 1981 162 who were top of the league table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/06-December-1980/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 06 December 1980 11v11 AFS Enterprises 18 April 2026 The run of league defeats ended on 20 December when Price scored in the final five minutes to give the team a 2–1 victory over Chester. Gillingham ended 1980 with two games on consecutive days and were beaten in both. On Boxing Day, they played Millwall at Priestfield.Rollin 1981 162 After falling a goal behind, Gillingham equalised through Mark Weatherly, but then conceded for a second time in the final ten minutes of the game; it was the first time that Millwall had won an away game in the Football League for over a year. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/190913537 Daily Mirror 31 9 February 2026 Newspapers.com limited Injury blow to Millwall's day 27 December 1980 The next day, Gillingham played away to Colchester United; once again they fell a goal behind, equalised, but then conceded a late winner, this time in the final minute of the match. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/190917085 Sunday People 45 9 February 2026 Newspapers.com limited Southend beat the blues 28 December 1980 Gary Sutton, an eighteen-year-old goalkeeper, made his debut against Colchester in place of Hillyard, who missed a game for the first time since April 1978.Triggs 2001 311Brown 2003 88–90 At the end of the calendar year, Gillingham were in 21st place in the Third Division league table,https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/31-December-1980/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 31 December 1980 11v11 AFS Enterprises 9 February 2026 a position which, if maintained at the end of the season, would have resulted in relegation to the Fourth Division.Rollin 1981 398 January–May thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Steve Bruce|A goal from Steve Bruce on 24 January gave Gillingham their second consecutive 1–0 victory. Gillingham's first match of 1981 was a goalless draw at Priestfield against Rotherham United.Rollin 1981 162 On 8 January, Gillingham signed the forward Trevor Lee from Colchester United for a transfer fee of UK 90,000 1981 eq yes £ -4, a new club record.Triggs 2001 192 He was expected to make his debut on 10 January at home to Burnley, but the match was postponed due to a viral outbreak among the Burnley players, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/192185483 Eastern Daily Press 27 26 February 2026 Newspapers.com limited Bond seems set to miss Roker battle 9 January 1981 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/192185521 Lancashire Telegraph 20 26 February 2026 Newspapers.com limited Burnley's game is called off 9 January 1981 and he instead made his debut a week later in an away game against Sheffield United.Triggs 2001 192 Gillingham won 1–0, Ford scoring the only goal from a penalty kick; earlier in the game, Sutton had saved a Sheffield United penalty. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/192701995 The Daily Telegraph 21 5 March 2026 Newspapers.com limited Plymouth take their chances 19 January 1981 A week later, Gillingham defeated Chesterfield by the same score at Priestfield with a second-half goal from Bruce; https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195722874 Sunday Telegraph 39 17 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Gillingham on upgrade Michael Field 25 January 1981 it was the first time during the season that they had won two consecutive Third Division games.Rollin 1981 162 The unbeaten run continued on 31 January against Barnsley, who had not lost a Third Division match since September and were in second place in the league table.Rollin 1981 42https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/30-January-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 30 January 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 16 April 2026 Lee scored his first goal for Gillingham as they took a 2–0 lead, but Barnsley brought the scores level. Price gave Gillingham the lead again, but after Gillingham were reduced to ten men when Dean White was sent off, Barnsley scored a third goal and the match ended in a 3–3 draw. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195722897 The Observer 24 17 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Hull get a bonus Phil Shaw 1 February 1981 At the end of the month, Gillingham's league table position had improved to 17th.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/31-January-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 31 January 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 4 March 2026 Having ended January with a draw in an away game against the team that was in second place at the start of play, Gillingham began February with a defeat at home to Carlisle United, who had begun the day 23rd in the league table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/06-February-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 06 February 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 16 March 2026 Carlisle secured a 1–0 victory with a goal from a penalty kick after Bruce kept the ball out of the goal with his hand. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/193511557 Sunday Telegraph Michael Field 39 16 March 2026 Newspapers.com limited Enigma files 8 February 1981 Both of the next two games, away to Newport County and Oxford United, finished 1–1, with Lee scoring Gillingham's goal each time.Rollin 1981 162 Bruce nearly scored a late winner against Oxford, but his header went inches wide of the goal. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114393311 Sunday Mercury 59 18 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Oxford in trouble 22 February 1981 This was followed by a second consecutive home defeat, as they lost 1–0 to Plymouth Argyle.Rollin 1981 162 At the end of February, Gillingham were in 20th place, one point above the relegation positions.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/28-February-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 28 February 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 11 March 2026 Having failed to win for five games,Rollin 1981 162 they began March with a 3–1 victory at home to Blackpool, with White scoring two goals past a defence which Michael Field of the Sunday Telegraph described as "inept". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/193200706 Sunday Telegraph Michael Field 39 12 March 2026 Newspapers.com limited Pick of the League 8 March 1981 Seven days later, Price gave Gillingham an early lead away to Fulham, but his team then conceded two goals. Ford equalised in the second half, but Fulham scored a third to win the match; https://www.newspapers.com/clip/193289415 Sunday Mirror 45 13 March 2026 Newspapers.com limited Spirited stuff, Mac 15 March 1981 the result meant that Gillingham dropped into the bottom four.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/14-March-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 14 March 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 13 March 2026 It was the sixth time during the league campaign that Gillingham had scored two or more goals in an away match, but they had only won one of the six games. A week later, Gillingham beat Brentford 2–0, beginning a run of eight games without defeat;Rollin 1981 162 John Overton, playing in place of Ford, who missed a game for the first time since joining Gillingham,Rollin 1981 163 opened the scoring and White added a second goal. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195800938 Sunday Telegraph 39 18 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Gillingham 2, Brentford 0 22 March 1981 The team's final match of March was away to Hull City; Gillingham took a 2–0 lead in the first half hour, with Lee scoring twice to take his total to five in eleven games,Rollin 1981 162 but they then conceded a goal either side of the half-time break and the game ended in a draw. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195801215 Hull Daily Mail 11 18 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Norman and Booth save point for City Simon Redfern 30 March 1981 Gillingham began April with a home win over Walsall; the Daily Telegraph reported that after Price gave his team the lead, a home victory "looked less likely as the match progressed", but Gillingham resisted Walsall's fightback and held on for a 1–0 victory. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/192985829 The Daily Telegraph 33 9 March 2026 Newspapers.com limited Gillingham hold out 4 April 1981 Their next four games all ended in goalless draws.Rollin 1981 162 The run began with a home game against Burnley; after Gillingham struggled with Burnley's defensive play for most of the game, Hillyard made two late saves to ensure that the match ended with scores level. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/192772503 Lancashire Telegraph 16 6 March 2026 Newspapers.com limited Deserved point for Burnley 8 April 1981 The result was the same four days later away to Portsmouth, extending Gillingham's winless run in away games to six. Gillingham's third and fourth consecutive goalless draws came over the Easter period, at home to Colchester United and away to Millwall.Rollin 1981 162 Following the run, Gillingham were in 16th place in the league table with two games remaining, but were only three points above the bottom four and therefore not yet safe from relegation.points ahttps://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/20-April-1981/ League Division 3 table after close of play on 20 April 1981 11v11 AFS Enterprises 4 March 2026 In their final home game of the season, they ensured that they would again be playing in the Third Division in the following season by defeating Chester 2–1; the winning goal was an own goal by a Chester player.Kent Evening Post 23 Gills home...at last Tony Smith 27 April 1981 Gillingham's final game of the season was away to Charlton Athletic,Brown 2003 90 who had already clinched promotion to the Second Division. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/192185958 The Observer 28 26 February 2026 Newspapers.com limited April is the coolest month Philip Shaw 26 April 1981 After Gillingham conceded a goal, Lee quickly equalised, but the home team scored again in the second half to secure a 2–1 victory. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/192633264 Sunday Telegraph 39 4 March 2026 Newspapers.com limited Brighton back from the brink 3 May 1981 Simon Jones Lee's goal was his sixth for Gillingham, making him the team's highest scorer since he was signed.Brown 2003 90 The result meant that Gillingham finished the season 15th in the league table, six places above the relegation positions.Rollin 1981 398 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 1981 162DateOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance16 August 1980Exeter City (A)1–2Ford3,63019 August 1980Reading (H)2–0Henderson, Richardson5,19323 August 1980Barnsley (H)1–1Henderson5,22230 August 1980Chesterfield (A)0–25,5356 September 1980Newport County (H)3–2Hughes, Price, Henderson4,71213 September 1980Carlisle United (A)0–03,02916 September 1980Huddersfield Town (H)0–05,09220 September 1980Plymouth Argyle (A)1–4Price6,71927 September 1980Oxford United (H)1–1Richardson4,13730 September 1980Huddersfield Town (A)0–17,7164 October 1980Blackpool (A)0–46,5887 October 1980Swindon Town (H)0–04,06611 October 1980Fulham (H)1–0Westwood4,73018 October 1980Rotherham United (A)0–25,90320 October 1980Brentford (A)3–3Price (2), Westwood6,79025 October 1980Hull City (H)2–0Bruce, Westwood4,10028 October 1980Sheffield United (H)2–2Bruce, Westwood4,9761 November 1980Walsall (A)3–3Nicholl, Westwood, Price4,0604 November 1980Swindon Town (A)0–04,7198 November 1980Portsmouth (H)0–16,62312 November 1980Reading (A)1–0Hughes4,64815 November 1980Exeter City (H)1–5Westwood3,72529 November 1980Burnley (A)2–3White, Nicholl5,7676 December 1980Charlton Athletic (H)0–18,77520 December 1980Chester (A)2–1Crabbe, Price1,74026 December 1980Millwall (H)1–2Weatherly4,60327 December 1980Colchester United (A)1–2Price3,8793 January 1981Rotherham United (H)0–03,74817 January 1981Sheffield United (A)1–0Ford (pen.)8,77824 January 1981Chesterfield (H)1–0Bruce5,02231 January 1981Barnsley (A)3–3White, Lee, Price13,7037 February 1981Carlisle United (H)0–14,92714 February 1981Newport County (A)1–1Lee5,15221 February 1981Oxford United (A)1–1Lee3,64128 February 1981Plymouth Argyle (H)0–14,3967 March 1981Blackpool (H)3–1White (2), Price3,42414 March 1981Fulham (A)2–3Price, Ford5,44521 March 1981Brentford (H)2–0Overton, White (pen.)3,91628 March 1981Hull City (A)2–2Lee (2)3,3093 April 1981Walsall (H)1–0Price4,1127 April 1981Burnley (H)0–04,41211 April 1981Portsmouth (A)0–09,17218 April 1981Colchester United (H)0–04,40820 April 1981Millwall (A)0–04,21425 April 1981Chester (H)2–1Bruce, Cottam (o.g.)3,2282 May 1981Charlton Athletic (A)1–2Lee9,367 Partial league table 1980–81 Football League#Third Division main WDL left auto Football League Third Division final table, positions 15–21 2 PR GIL Gillingham WDN Millwall SWI Swindon Town HUL Chester BRR Carlisle United WAL Walsall SHE Sheffield United 15 12 18 16 48 58 14 14 18 43 60 13 15 18 51 56 15 11 20 38 48 14 13 19 56 70 13 15 18 59 74 14 12 20 65 63 R Relegated to Fourth Division complete Rollin 1981 398 Cup matches FA Cup As a Third Division team, Gillingham entered the 1980-81 FA Cup at the first-round stage in November; they were drawn against Dagenham of the semi-professional Isthmian League.Rollin 1981 465, 904 Gillingham took a 2–0 lead and, although they conceded a goal, held on for a 2–1 victory. Trevor Williamson of The Daily Telegraph wrote that Gillingham had been given a harder fight than the scoreline suggested. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195722979 The Daily Telegraph 25 17 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Kellow goal burst hits Leatherhead Trevor Williamson 24 November 1980 In the second round, they were paired with their fellow Kent-based team, Maidstone United of the Alliance Premier League, the highest tier of non-League football.Elligate 2009 198 The interest in a match between the county's two leading teams meant that the match drew an attendance of 9,099, the highest recorded at Priestfield for more than a year.Brown 2003 89, 90 With fewer than ten minutes remaining and the score still 0–0, White appeared to have scored for Gillingham, but the goal was disallowed for an offside offence. In the final minute, the same player's header beat the Maidstone goalkeeper, but struck the goalpost. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/193491177 Sunday Telegraph 35 16 March 2026 Newspapers.com limited The prize guy Michael Field 14 December 1980 The match finished goalless, meaning that a replay was required, which took place at Maidstone's stadium, the Athletic Ground.Elligate 2009 195 In the second match, both teams had several goalscoring opportunities, but squandered them, and the game again finished 0–0. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/193494048 The Daily Telegraph 22 16 March 2026 Newspapers.com limited Maidstone fight to another replay Paul Ward-Smith 17 December 1980 The second replay took place at Priestfield.Rollin 1981 469 At half-time, the score was once again 0–0, but shortly after the break, Maidstone ended more than four hours of goalless play between the two teams by taking the lead. They added a second goal in the final ten minutes and secured a 2–0 victory. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/193499967 The Guardian 16 16 March 2026 Newspapers.com limited Dashed by Daubney Robert Armstrong 23 December 1980 The Western Morning News described it as a "shock win" and Tony Hudd of the Kent Messenger called it the biggest victory in the history of the semi-professional club. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/188516187 The Daily Telegraph 16 9 January 2026 Newspapers.com limited Maidstone storm through Paul Ward-Smith 23 December 1980Elligate 2009 198Kent Messenger Tony Hudd 24 December 1980 36 Watling's wonders win glory https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195928137 Western Morning News 10 20 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited City's boost 23 December 1980 Speaking 35 years later, Barry Watling, Maidstone's manager at the time of the victory, highlighted that several of his team had previously played for Gillingham and added "They'd been told they weren't good enough [...] and they'd gone back there and proved a point."https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/the-night-of-watlings-wonders-239672/ Forty years today since non-league Maidstone United beat Football League Gillingham after FA Cup trilogy Craig Tucker 22 December 2020 30 January 2026 Kent Online KM Media Group FA Cup match results Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match a.e.t. = After extra time ResultsRollin 1981 465, 468, 469 DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance22 November 1980FirstDagenham (H)2–1Price, Ford4,39013 December 1980SecondMaidstone United (H)0–09,09916 December 1980Second (replay)Maidstone United (A)0–0 (a.e.t.)7,46522 December 1980Second (second replay)Maidstone United (H)0–27,941 Football League Cup As a Third Division team, Gillingham entered the 1980-81 Football League Cup in the first round, which took place before the opening league match of the season.Rollin 1981 430, 432 Their opponents were fellow Third Division team Colchester United.Rollin 1981 430 The first leg of the two-legged tie took place at Colchester's ground, Layer Road, and Gillingham scored a goal in each half to win 2–0. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195730748 Sunday Telegraph 31 17 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Deadly Poskett 10 August 1980 Three days later, the second leg took place at Priestfield; Colchester pulled a goal back, but Gillingham then scored twice in the final five minutes to secure a 4–1 win on aggregate. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195730861 The Daily Telegraph 26 17 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Gillingham's late double 13 August 1980 Their opponents in the second round were Blackburn Rovers of the Second Division. The first leg at Ewood Park, Blackburn's ground, ended in a goalless draw; The Daily Telegraph wrote that "everything [was] looking rosy" for Gillingham going into the second leg at Priestfield. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195724123 The Daily Telegraph 26 17 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Shut-out by Gillingham 28 August 1980 Bruce scored early in the second half of the second match, and with three minutes remaining, Gillingham were winning against their higher-level opponents, but Blackburn then equalised and, with the aggregate scores level at the end of the regulation 90 minutes, the game went into extra time. Twenty minutes into the additional half hour, Blackburn were awarded a penalty kick following a foul by Gillingham's Sharpe and scored to take a 2–1 lead; this proved to be the final score, eliminating Gillingham from the competition. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195461549 Lancashire Telegraph 14 13 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited McKenzie to the rescue for battling Rovers 3 September 1980 League Cup match results Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match a.e.t. = After extra time ResultsRollin 1981 430, 432, 434, 436 DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance9 August 1980First (first leg)Colchester United (A)2–0Price, Bruce2,51412 August 1980First (second leg)Colchester United (H)2–1Ford, Bruce5,22027 August 1980Second (first leg)Blackburn Rovers (A)0–07,3162 September 1980Second (second leg)Blackburn Rovers (H)1–2 (a.e.t.)Bruce6,315 Players During the season, 23 players made at least one appearance for Gillingham. Weatherly and Ford made the most, both playing in 50 matches. Price, Hillyard, Bruce, and John Crabbe all took part in more than 40 games. Lloyd made the fewest appearances, playing only twice as a substitute. He left the club without ever being named in a starting line-up. Price was the team's top goalscorer, with 11 goals in the Third Division and 13 in total. No other player scored more than seven goals. Ford won the club's Player of the Year award, voted on by the official supporters' association.Triggs 2001 119 thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Pat Walker|Pat Walker (pictured in 2008) played 24 times. thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Terry Nicholl|Terry Nicholl made 38 appearances. FW = Forward, MF = Midfielder, GK = Goalkeeper, DF = Defender +Player statisticsBrown 2003 90PlayerPositionThird DivisionFA CupFootball League CupTotalApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsMicky AdamsDF 1300010140Tony BottiglieriMF 40200060Steve BruceDF/MF 4141043467John Crabbe footballerMF 3614020421Nigel DonnMF 20002040Colin DuncanMF 3201040370Andy Ford English footballerDF 4234141505Peter Henderson footballerFW 730040113Ron HillyardGK 3704040450Billy Hughes footballer, born 1960MF 2323020282Trevor Lee footballerFW 1860000186Kevin Lloyd footballer, born 1958FW 10100020Terry NichollMF 3424000382John Overton footballerDF 2514040331Ken Price footballer, born 1954FW 411141314813Damien Richardson footballerFW 1320010142John Sharpe footballerDF 2604040340Gary Sutton 1GK 90000090Pat Walker footballerFW 2301000240Mark WeatherlyDF/MF 4313040501Danny WestwoodFW 1863020236Dean White footballerMF 3453010385Charlie Young footballer, born 1958DF 30000030 Aftermath thumb|right|upright|alt=Former footballer Keith Peacock|Keith Peacock (pictured in 2025) was appointed the club's new manager. Summers was dismissed from his post at the end of the season, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/195660849 The Daily Telegraph 31 Robert Oxby 16 April 2026 Newspapers.com limited Gillingham dismiss Summers 23 May 1981 partly due to controversy surrounding his decision to release several players, including the popular 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 The club's board of directors stated that the decision had been made "with reluctance". Summers announced his intention to sue the club for unfair dismissal, telling the press, "I obviously don't expect to get my job back but there is the matter of compensation which was promised to me and has not been forthcoming." In July, Keith Peacock was appointed as the club's new manager; he had most recently worked as the assistant manager of the 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 In his first season in charge, Gillingham finished in 6th place in the Third Division.Rollin 1982 414 Footnotes a. points Gillingham were three points above 21st-placed Colchester United, who had two games still to play, and four points above 22nd-placed Walsall, who had three games still to play. Based on the fact that a team winning a match received two points,Rollin 1981 398https://talksport.com/football/efl/115169/club-most-points-top-flight-history-it-liverpool-man-united-arsenal-chelsea-or-everton/ The club with the most points in top flight history: is it Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea or Everton? James Bragg Talksport 11 August 2011 4 March 2026 either team could still have finished above Gillingham if they had won all their remaining games and Gillingham had lost both of theirs. 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 Rollin Jack Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81 Queen Anne Press 1980 978-0-36202-017-5 Rollin Jack Rothmans Football Yearbook 1981–82 Queen Anne Press 1981 978-0-36202-046-5 Rollin Jack Rothmans Football Yearbook 1982–83 Queen Anne Press 1982 978-0-35607-888-5 Rollin Jack Rothmans Football Yearbook 1993–94 Headline Publishing Group 1993 978-0-74727-895-5 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 1980-81 Category:English football clubs 1980–81 season