2005–06 Gillingham F.C. season

November 2025 English football club season Gillingham 2005–06 Neale Cooper (until 15 November) Ronnie Jepson (from 15 November) Paul Scally League One 14th FA Cup First round League Cup Third round League Trophy Second round Darren Byfield (13) Darren Byfield (14) 8,128 (vs Southend United, 1 October 2005) 1,988 (vs Crawley Town, 6 December 2005) _whitesidesshoulders _whiteshoulders _whiteshoulders 0000ff 0000ff 0000ff 0000ff 0000ff _bluehoophigh _bluelower _bluelower ffffff ffffff ffffff ffffff ffffff 2004–05 2006–07 During the 2005–06 English football season, Gillingham F.C. competed in Football League One, the third tier of the English football league system. It was the 74th season in which Gillingham competed in the Football League and the 56th since the club was voted back into the league in 1950. It was Gillingham's first season in the third tier of the English league system since 2000, following the team's relegation from the Football League Championship at the end of the previous season. Prior to the season, Neale Cooper was appointed as the club's new manager, but after a poor start to the campaign he resigned from the role in mid-November with Gillingham in 22nd place out of 24 teams in the league table, a position which if maintained would result in relegation to Football League Two at the end of the campaign. His assistant, Ronnie Jepson, was appointed on a temporary basis but ultimately remained in the role for the remainder of the season. The team's results quickly improved, and they had climbed to 17th place by the end of 2005. Although a lengthy run without a win in February and March, culminating in a 6–0 defeat to Bristol City, led to Gillingham slipping back to 21st place and once again being in danger of relegation, they then won six consecutive games and ended the season in 14th place. The club also competed in three knock-out tournaments. In the FA Cup, they were defeated in the first round by Burscough, a team playing in the seventh tier of English football, in what was seen as a shock result. In the Football League Cup, Gillingham defeated Portsmouth of the top-tier FA Premier League before being eliminated in the third round. They also reached the second round of the Football League Trophy. Gillingham played 52 competitive matches, winning 19, drawing 13, and losing 20. Darren Byfield was the team's top goalscorer with 14 goals. Andrew Crofts made the most appearances, missing only one game. The highest attendance recorded at the club's home ground, Priestfield Stadium, was 8,128 for a league game against Southend United in October. Background and pre-season The 2005–06 season was Gillingham's 74th season in the Football League and the 56th since the club was re-elected to the League in 1950 after being voted out in 1938.Rollin Rollin 2006 191 At the end of the previous season, Gillingham had been relegated from the Football League Championship after finishing 22nd out of 24 teams in the league table, ending a five-year spell in the second tier of the English football league system and meaning that they would compete in Football League One, the third tier, in the 2005–06 season.Rollin Rollin 2006 191https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4517563.stm Championship review 2004/05 BBC Sport 25 September 2025 10 May 2005 On 21 May, Neale Cooper was appointed as the club's new manager, replacing Stan Ternent, who had resigned on 15 May. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4551195.stm Cooper named as Gillingham boss BBC Sport 21 May 2005 16 September 2025 Ronnie Jepson, who had served as assistant manager to Ternent, remained in the role; he had reportedly been considered for the manager's job himself. Bobby Paterson, who had worked with Cooper at the manager's previous club, Hartlepool United, joined Gillingham in the dual roles of director of youth and manager of the reserve team.Gillingham Vs Colchester United Matchday Programme Gillingham F.C. Gillingham F.C. young ones 6 August 2005 16 There was considerable change in Gillingham's playing squad following the club's relegation. Darius Henderson, the team's top goalscorer in the previous season,Rollin Rollin 2005 192 moved to Watford for a transfer fee of £450,000. Paul Smith, who had been the team's captain during the previous season and played nearly 400 games in eight seasons with Gillingham,http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4649483.stm Captain Smith leaves Gillingham BBC Sport 4 July 2005 10 November 2025 left the club after turning down a new contract which would have seen his wages dramatically reduced.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4652235.stm Smith anguish at Gillingham exit BBC Sport 5 July 2005 17 September 2025 Barry Ashby, who had also been with Gillingham for eight years and had made over 300 appearances, left the club at the expiration of his contract,https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/veteran-defender-exits-priestfie-a19251/ Veteran defender exits Priestfield Luke Cawdell Kent Online KM Media Group 15 July 2005 25 September 202514 July 2005 Ashby contract talks break down BBC Sport https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4683507.stm 23 September 2025 as did Nicky Southall, Nyron Nosworthy, Mamady Sidibé and John Hills, all of whom had been regulars in the team during the previous campaign.Rollin Rollin 2005 193, 603, 624 Of 12 players whose contracts had expired at the end of the 2004–05 season, only two opted to re-sign with the club. Cooper signed four new players ahead of the first match of the new season, including two who had last played in his native Scotland: Paul Shields, a forward who joined Gillingham from Forfar Athletic, and Tony Bullock, a goalkeeper who had come to the end of his contract at Dundee United.Rollin Rollin 2006 476, 477https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/cooper-targets-scottish-keeper-a19013/ Cooper targets Scottish keeper Kent Online KM Media Group 28 June 2005 13 November 2025 Shields was still under contract at Forfar; the club had reportedly received interest from at least four clubs for him, but ultimately accepted Gillingham's offer of £25,000 for the player.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4743461.stm Gillingham sign Forfar's Shields 3 August 2005 BBC Sport 22 September 2025 Tom Williams, a midfielder, and Danny Jackman, a defender, also joined the club, having last played for Barnsley and Stockport County respectively.Rollin Rollin 2006 477, 543 Gillingham played pre-season friendly matches against Barnet and Millwall; both Bullock and Williams were injured during these matches and missed the start of the league season.Gillingham Vs Colchester United Matchday Programme Gillingham F.C. From the manager 6 August 2005 4 Neale Cooper Neale Cooper Previewing the new League One season, the view of BBC Sport was that Cooper was faced with "an enormous rebuilding task" and that "consolidating in League One may be the most Gillingham fans could dare to hope for."http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4671565.stm League One form guide 1 August 2005 BBC Sport 22 September 2025 The team's first-choice kit was blue with white trim; the second-choice kit, to be worn in those away games where there was a clash of colours with the home team, was white with blue trim.Rollin Rollin 2005 193 Football League One August–December thumb|right|upright=1.3|alt=Footballer Darren Byfield|Darren Byfield scored the winning goal on the opening day of the season. Gillingham began the season with a match at their home ground, Priestfield Stadium, against Colchester United.Rollin Rollin 2006 192 Jackman was included in the starting line-up and Shields made his debut as a substitute.Rollin Rollin 2006 193 Colchester took the lead but late goals from Andrew Crofts and Darren Byfield gave Gillingham a 2–1 victory.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4730587.stm Gillingham 2–1 Colchester BBC Sport 6 August 2005 23 September 2025 The team remained unbeaten with draws against Port Vale and Scunthorpe United and a 1–0 victory over AFC Bournemouth.Rollin Rollin 2006 192 Brent Sancho, a defender who had left Dundee at the end of the previous season,http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4165998.stm Veteran Claridge joins Gillingham BBC Sport 19 August 2005 10 November 2025 made his debut against Bournemouth.Rollin Rollin 2006 193 On 27 August, Gillingham played Nottingham Forest at Priestfield; Forest had lost their preceding four games but beat Gillingham 3–1.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4168608.stm Gillingham 1–3 Nottingham Forest BBC Sport 27 August 2005 7 October 2025 It was the start of a run of five games for Gillingham which included four defeats.Rollin Rollin 2006 192 Their final match of August ended in a 1–1 draw with Brentford; Neil Harris, making his debut after joining on loan from Nottingham Forest, scored Gillingham's goal.Rollin Rollin 2006 193http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4192570.stm Harris joins Gillingham on loan BBC Sport 28 August 2005 10 November 2025 The team began September with three consecutive defeats in which they scored no goals.Rollin Rollin 2006 192 The run began when Gillingham lost 3–0 away to Rotherham United on 10 September, all the goals coming in the second half.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4211026.stm Rotherham 3–0 Gillingham BBC Sport 10 September 2005 11 November 2025 Three days later, in a game which had been rescheduled due to Crofts, Sancho, and Ian Cox being unavailable on the original date because they were representing their countries in international matches,https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/second-gills-fixture-in-doubt-a20085/ Second Gills fixture in doubt Kent Online KM Media Group 5 September 2005 15 October 2025 Gillingham lost by the same score to Barnsley, after which they were booed by their own supporters.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4232414.stm Gillingham 0–3 Barnsley BBC Sport 13 September 2005 22 October 2025 The run continued with a 1–0 defeat to Oldham Athletic on 17 September.Rollin Rollin 2006 192 After Gillingham twice came from a goal down to secure a 2–2 draw with Tranmere Rovers,https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/gills-striker-sparkles-as-stand--a20482/ Gills striker sparkles as stand-in skipper Luke Cawdell Kent Online KM Media Group 26 September 2005 11 November 2025 they ended their six-game winless run in the league when a goal from Sancho in the final five minutes of the match gave them a 1–0 victory at home to Chesterfield on 27 September.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4277894.stm Gillingham 1–0 Chesterfield BBC Sport 27 September 2005 24 October 2025 The team's first match of October ended in a 2–1 defeat at Priestfield to Southend United, who had won their previous six games and were in second place in the league table. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184760378 Sunday Telegraph 11 November 2025 Newspapers.com Stats of the day 2 October 2005 84https://www.11v11.com/teams/gillingham/tab/leagueTables/01-october-2005/ League One table after close of play on 1 October 2005 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 11 November 2025 After a 0–0 draw at home to Yeovil Town on 15 October, Cooper criticised his players in the press, saying "It is all right doing it in training, but you have to have the bottle to come out and play at your ground, especially when things have not been going well".https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4347026.stm Cooper fumes at Gills stalemate BBC Sport 16 October 2005 28 October 2022 A week later, Gillingham appeared to be heading for another goalless draw but conceded a goal in the final minute of the match and lost 1–0 to Bradford City. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/183793579 Telegraph & Argus Simon Parker 27 October 2025 Newspapers.com Cooke rewards fans with overdue winner 24 October 2005 42, 43 In the team's final match of October, Gillingham came from a goal down at half-time to secure a 2–1 victory over Blackpool, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184832931 The Daily Telegraph 12 November 2025 Newspapers.com Football: League One 31 October 2005 52 but they began November with another defeat, losing 3–1 to Hartlepool United. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184833225 The Northern Echo 12 November 2025 Newspapers.com Cooper's old boys ensure no happy returns 2 November 2005 7 A 2–0 defeat away to Walsall on 12 November left Gillingham in 22nd place in the league table, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/181993064 The Daily Telegraph 29 September 2025 Newspapers.com Football: League One 14 November 2005 52https://www.11v11.com/teams/gillingham/tab/leagueTables/15-november-2005/ League One table after close of play on 15 November 2005 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 28 October 2022 a position which if maintained would result in relegation to League Two at the end of the season;Rollin Rollin 2006 47 three days later Cooper resigned from his position as manager.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4439918.stm Gillingham manager Cooper resigns BBC Sport 15 November 2005 29 October 2022 Paul Scally, the club's chairman, told the press "One or two people need to take a hard look at themselves at this club, as there is no doubt Neale was let down in certain areas." Jepson took over the role, initially on a temporary basis, and told the media that he was confident in his ability to turn the team's results around and keep Gillingham from a second consecutive relegation campaign with the squad of players that he had inherited.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4446450.stm Jepson says squad is good enough BBC Sport 17 November 2005 28 October 2022 In Jepson's first match in charge, Shields scored his first goal for the team to secure a 1–0 victory over Hartlepool United on 19 November;http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4431120.stm Gillingham 1–0 Hartlepool BBC Sport 19 November 2005 29 September 2025 Byfield made his return to the team in the same game, having been absent for nearly two months due to a knee injury.Rollin Rollin 2006 192https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/byfield-may-miss-doncaster-clash-a21791/ Byfield may miss Doncaster clash Luke Cawdell Kent Online KM Media Group 6 December 2005 13 November 2025 A week later, Gillingham suffered their heaviest defeat of the season so far,Rollin Rollin 2006 192 losing 5–0 away to Colchester United. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184870607 Sunday Telegraph 11 November 2025 Newspapers.com Stats of the day 27 November 2005 68 It proved to be the final appearance in the Gillingham goal for Bullock, who had made his delayed debut in October but was replaced by Jason Brown after the severe defeat and was released from his contract in January 2006.Rollin Rollin 2006 193http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/st_mirren/4587238.stm St Mirren sign Anderson & Bullock BBC Sport 6 January 2006 29 October 2025 Gillingham began December by beating Doncaster Rovers 1–0,http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4494718.stm Gillingham 1–0 Doncaster BBC Sport 6 December 2005 26 October 2025 and four days later secured a fourth consecutive home league victory when they beat Port Vale 3–0 with one goal from Harris and two from Matt Jarvis. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184870652 The Daily Telegraph 13 November 2025 Newspapers.com Gueret puts Trundle in the shade Chris Wathan 12 December 2005 68 The game marked Andy Hessenthaler's final appearance for Gillingham;Rollin Rollin 2006 193 he was transferred to Barnet the following month.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnet/4627628.stm Barnet sign veteran Hessenthaler BBC Sport 19 January 2006 16 October 2025 Hessenthaler had been with the club since 1996, making over 350 appearances and serving as player-manager for much of the club's time in the second tier of English football.https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/sport/hessenthaler-departs-as-dover-manager-279900/ Manager Andy Hessenthaler leaves Dover Athletic by mutual consent Matthew Panting Kent Online KM Media Group 5 January 2023 11 November 2025 Harris scored again a week later to give Gillingham the lead away to AFC Bournemouth but the home team scored two goals, the second in the final minute, to win the match.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4516422.stm Bournemouth 2–1 Gillingham BBC Sport 17 December 2005 26 October 2025 On 26 December, Gillingham drew 1–1 with Bristol City,http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4537678.stm Gillingham 1–1 Bristol City BBC Sport 26 December 2005 26 October 2025 and five days later they beat Milton Keynes Dons 3–0 at Priestfield.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4559972.stm Gillingham 3–0 MK Dons BBC Sport 31 December 2005 26 October 2025 The result meant that Gillingham were in 17th place out of 24 teams in the League One league table at the end of 2005,https://www.11v11.com/teams/gillingham/tab/leagueTables/31-december-2005/ League One table after close of play on 31 December 2005 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 29 October 2022 having won four out of seven league games since Jepson took over, as many victories as had been achieved in 17 league games during Cooper's time in charge.Rollin Rollin 2006 192 January–May thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Michael Flynn|Michael Flynn scored three goals in the final four games of the season. Gillingham began the new year with a goalless draw away to Huddersfield Town, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184871530 Telegraph & Argus 13 November 2025 Newspapers.com Jackson wants loan recruits to lift Town 3 January 2006 30 and then lost 1–0 away to Barnsley on 10 January.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4590228.stm Barnsley 1–0 Gillingham BBC Sport 10 January 2006 5 November 2022 Byfield, who had not played for over a month, was back in the line-up for the latter match.Rollin Rollin 2006 193 Four days later, he scored the first goal as Gillingham beat Swindon Town 3–0 at Priestfield. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184871814 The Daily Telegraph 13 November 2025 Newspapers.com Mad dog growls at Brentford pups Nicholas Harling 16 January 2006 50 A number of fans were arrested and charged with violent disorder as trouble broke out between supporters of the two teams,https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/688620.peace-breaks-out-with-gillingham/ Peace breaks out with Gillingham 15 February 2006 7 November 2025 Swindon Advertiser who share a rivalry.https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/police-keep-fans-apart-at-gillin-a65089/ Police keep fans apart at Gillingham FC v Swindon Town match Kent Online KM Media Group 21 April 2012 13 November 2025 Byfield was required to serve a suspension for the next match due to the number of yellow cards he had received during the season.Gillingham Vs Rotherham United Matchday Programme Gillingham F.C. From the chairman Paul Scally Paul Scally 28 January 2006 6 With injuries meaning that both Shields and Jarvis were also absent, Jepson again included the teenagerRollin Rollin 2006 477 Akwasi Fobi-Edusei, who had deputised for Byfield the previous month,Rollin Rollin 2006 193https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4638924.stm Jepson forced to use youngsters BBC Sport 23 January 2006 31 October 2022https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4637548.stm Jepson rues Gillingham absentees BBC Sport 22 January 2006 31 October 2022 in the starting line-up against Oldham Athletic on 21 January.Rollin Rollin 2006 193 Following the game, which Gillingham lost 2–0, the manager described Fobi-Edusei and fellow youngster Gavin Grant, who came on as a substitute,Rollin Rollin 2006 193 as "not the finished article yet" but noted that "at this moment in time we have no choice, it's all we've got and we have to use those lads." A week later, Grant scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with Rotherham United. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184875215 The Daily Telegraph 13 November 2025 Newspapers.com League One 30 January 2006 50 Tommy Black, a midfielder signed on loan from Crystal Palace of the Championship, made his debut in the match.Rollin Rollin 2006 46, 193 In their final match of January, Gillingham beat Swansea City 2–1, the first time all season that they had won a match away from home.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4657270.stm Swansea 1–2 Gillingham BBC Sport 31 January 2006 13 November 2022 On 4 February, they took the lead against Chesterfield, who had not been beaten in their previous 14 games, but conceded an equalising goal one minute from the end of the match.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4657326.stm Chesterfield 1–1 Gillingham BBC Sport 4 February 2006 13 November 2022 Gary Mulligan, a forward signed on loan from Sheffield United of the Championship,http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/4573712.stm Transfers January 2006 BBC Sport 1 February 2006 13 November 2022 made his debut in the game.Rollin Rollin 2006 46, 193 Gillingham's final three games of February all ended in defeat.Rollin Rollin 2006 192 On 14 February, they were beaten 1–0 away to Swindon Town; Byfield was sent off, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184477845 The Independent 7 November 2025 Newspapers.com Football results 15 February 2006 64 resulting in another suspension, this time for four games.Gillingham Vs Scunthorpe United Matchday Programme Gillingham F.C. From the chairman Paul Scally Paul Scally 25 February 2006 6 A week later, they lost 2–0 to Doncaster Rovers; BBC Sport described it as a "comfortable victory" over a "sorry" Gillingham team.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4703876.stm Doncaster 2–0 Gillingham BBC Sport 18 February 2006 7 November 2025 Although Gillingham took a first-half lead over Scunthorpe United on 25 February, they then conceded three goals and were defeated; Jepson described his team's defending as "so poor, it was untrue". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184870729 The Daily Telegraph 13 November 2025 Newspapers.com Barnsley follow Chelsea's lead 27 February 2006 60 On 11 March, Gillingham held Nottingham Forest to a 1–1 draw despite playing with Danny Spiller and Black, both normally midfielders, in the forward positions due to both Byfield and Harris being suspended.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4798656.stm Jepson praises stand-in strikers BBC Sport 12 March 2006 31 October 2022 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/182698763 The Daily Telegraph 10 October 2025 Newspapers.com Football: League One 13 March 2006 48 A week later, they suffered their heaviest defeat of the season, losing 6–0 to Bristol City;Rollin Rollin 2006 192 Gillingham had to play the whole of the second half with only ten men after Leon Johnson was sent off shortly before half-time.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4796174.stm Bristol City 6–0 Gillingham BBC Sport 18 March 2006 17 October 2025 The result meant that they had gone seven games without a victory and slipped to 21st place in the league table, one position above the relegation places with nine games remaining.Rollin Rollin 2006 192https://www.11v11.com/teams/gillingham/tab/leagueTables/18-march-2006/ League One table after close of play on 18 March 2006 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 17 October 2025 Following the defeat, however, they won their next six matches,Rollin Rollin 2006 192 one short of the all-time club record for consecutive victories.Elligate 2009 68 The run began on 21 March when Gillingham beat Brentford 3–2 despite finishing the game with only nine players after both Alan Pouton and Sean Clohessy were sent off.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4819930.stm Gillingham 3–2 Brentford BBC Sport 21 March 2006 30 October 2025 Four days later, Byfield scored from a penalty kick to secure a 1–0 victory over promotion-chasing Swansea City.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4819990.stm Gillingham 1–0 Swansea BBC Sport 25 March 2006 30 October 2025 Gillingham's third consecutive victory came on 1 April; Milton Keynes Dons took the lead in the first half, but Byfield equalised after the interval and Black scored three minutes later to give Gillingham a 2–1 victory. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184308199 The Daily Telegraph 4 November 2025 Newspapers.com Football: League One 3 April 2006 50 A week later, Jarvis set up one goal and scored another as Gillingham beat Huddersfield Town 2–0.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4867418.stm Gillingham 2–0 Huddersfield BBC Sport 8 April 2006 4 November 2025 He also set up the only goal of the game on 14 April as Black scored to give Gillingham a 1–0 victory away to Southend United, who were in first place in the league table and had been unbeaten in their previous 11 games at home.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4890752.stm Southend 0–1 Gillingham BBC Sport 14 April 2006 13 November 2022 On 17 April, it was announced that several weeks earlier Jepson had been given a contract to remain manager for the rest of the season and for two further years.https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/gills-boss-rewarded-with-new-dea-a23708/ Gills boss rewarded with new deal Luke Cawdell Kent Online KM Media Group 17 April 2006 21 October 2025 On the same day, his team beat Bradford City 2–1 at Priestfield with goals from Michael Flynn and Black, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184871260 Telegraph & Argus Simon Parker 13 November 2025 Newspapers.com Scrappy City slip at Gills 18 April 2006 34, 35 a result which took them up to 11th place in the league table, their highest position since September.Rollin Rollin 2006 192 Both players scored again against Yeovil Town on 22 April, but the winning run came to an end as Yeovil were 4–1 in the lead by the 60-minute mark and survived a late Gillingham rally to win 4–3.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4908096.stm Yeovil 4–3 Gillingham BBC Sport 22 April 2006 31 October 2025 The last match of the season at Priestfield Stadium ended in a 1–0 victory for Walsall; Steve Claridge, who had spent a brief spell with Gillingham earlier in the season, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184869942 Telegraph & Argus 13 November 2025 Newspapers.com Claridge's competitive streak is as strong as ever Simon Parker 29 September 2005 48 scored the winning goal. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184869918 The Daily Telegraph 13 November 2025 Newspapers.com League One Tom Cary 1 May 2006 53 Gillingham's final game of the season was away to Blackpool, who needed to secure at least a draw to avoid relegation.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4957432.stm Blackpool 3–3 Gillingham BBC Sport 6 May 2006 31 October 2025 After Gillingham fell a goal behind, Byfield scored twice to put his team in the lead. Blackpool scored two goals to retake the lead, but Flynn scored inside the final five minutes and the game finished 3–3. The result meant that Gillingham finished the season in 14th place in the league table.Rollin Rollin 2006 47 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 2006 192DateOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance 6 August 2005 Colchester United (H)2–1Crofts, Byfield7,293 9 August 2005 Port Vale (A)0–04,931 13 August 2005 Scunthorpe United (A)1–1Hessenthaler5,007 20 August 2005 AFC Bournemouth (H)1–0Browning (o.g.)6,568 27 August 2005 Nottingham Forest (H)1–3Byfield7,228 29 August 2005 Brentford (A)1–1Harris6,969 10 September 2005 Rotherham United (A)0–34,253 13 September 2005 Barnsley (H)0–35,283 17 September 2005 Oldham Athletic (H)0–16,259 24 September 2005 Tranmere Rovers (A)2–2Byfield (2, 1 pen.)7,003 27 September 2005 Chesterfield (H)1–0Sancho7,472 1 October 2005 Southend United (H)1–2Pouton8,128 15 October 2005 Yeovil Town (H)0–06,848 22 October 2005 Bradford City (A)0–17,729 29 October 2005 Blackpool (H)2–1Hope, Harris6,300 1 November 2005 Hartlepool United (A)1–3Collin4,522 12 November 2005 Walsall (A)0–24,785 19 November 2005 Hartlepool United (H)1–0Shields6,092 26 November 2005 Colchester United (A)0–53,801 6 December 2005 Doncaster Rovers (H)1–0Flynn4,861 10 December 2005 Port Vale (H)3–0Harris, Jarvis (2)6,210 17 December 2005 AFC Bournemouth (A)1–2Harris6,177 26 December 2005 Bristol City (H)1–1Flynn7,786 31 December 2005 Milton Keynes Dons (H)3–0Johnson, Clohessy, Pouton6,012 2 January 2006 Huddersfield Town (A)0–011,483 10 January 2006 Barnsley (A)0–17,090 14 January 2006 Swindon Town (H)3–0Byfield, Flynn, Harris7,300 21 January 2006 Oldham Athletic (A)0–25,783 28 January 2006 Rotherham United (H)1–1Grant6,107 31 January 2006 Swansea City (A)2–1Byfield, Harris14,357 4 February 2006 Chesterfield (A)1–1Black4,652 11 February 2006 Tranmere Rovers (H)1–1Byfield6,803 14 February 2006 Swindon Town (A)0–15,530 18 February 2006 Doncaster Rovers (A)0–25,738 25 February 2006 Scunthorpe United (H)1–3Cochrane6,029 11 March 2006 Nottingham Forest (A)1–1Bennett (o.g.)19,446 18 March 2006 Bristol City (A)0–610,932 21 March 2006 Brentford (H)3–2Sancho, Byfield (2, 1 pen.)5,745 25 March 2006 Swansea City (H)1–0Byfield (pen.)6,909 1 April 2006 Milton Keynes Dons (A)2–1Byfield, Black6,432 8 April 2006 Huddersfield Town (H)2–0Mulligan, Jarvis7,014 14 April 2006 Southend United (A)1–0Black11,195 17 April 2006 Bradford City (H)2–1Black, Flynn7,281 22 April 2006 Yeovil Town (A)3–4Black, Flynn, Crofts6,040 29 April 2006 Walsall (H)0–17,757 6 May 2006 Blackpool (A)3–3Byfield (2), Flynn8,541 Partial league table 2005–06 Football League One main WDL left auto Football League One final table, positions 12–16 PR 12 MIL Scunthorpe United WIM Port Vale GIL Gillingham PRE Yeovil Town WAT Chesterfield 15 15 16 68 73 16 12 18 49 54 16 12 18 50 64 15 11 20 54 62 14 14 18 63 73 complete Rollin Rollin 2006 47 Cup matches FA Cup As a League One team, Gillingham entered the 2005–06 FA Cup at the first round stage; they were drawn to play Burscough of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Rollin Rollin 2006 989 Burscough had entered at the first qualifying round and won four matches to reach the first round proper.Rollin Rollin 2006 610–612 Gillingham conceded an early goal but then scored twice to take the lead. The score remained 2–1 until the final minute when Burscough equalised, and they then scored again in injury time to win 3–2 and eliminate Gillingham from the competition, in what BBC Sport described as the biggest shock of the round. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184808408 The Independent 12 November 2025 Newspapers.com Burscough buoyant after sending-off floors Gills 6 November 2005 92 Geoff Brownhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4387928.stm Burscough 3–2 Gillingham BBC Sport 5 November 2025 5 November 2005https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4409706.stm FA Cup first round clockwatch BBC Sport 5 November 2025 5 November 2005 A book on the history of the club published in 2009 described it as the most humiliating FA Cup defeat in Gillingham's history.Elligate 2009 170 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 2006 613DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance5 November 2005 FirstBurscough (A)2–3Jarvis, Saunders1,927 Football League Cup As a League One team, Gillingham entered the 2005–06 Football League Cup at the first round stage; their opponents were Oxford United of League Two.Rollin Rollin 2006 47, 597 A goal in the final ten minutes of the game from Jarvis gave Gillingham a 1–0 victory and took them into the second round where they were drawn to play Portsmouth of the top-tier FA Premier League.Rollin Rollin 2006 46, 599 Twice Portsmouth took the lead only for Gillingham to equalise; Gillingham's first goal came when Byfield capitalised on an error in the Portsmouth defence, and the second resulted from a shot by Byfield hitting the goalpost before ricocheting off Portsmouth's goalkeeper, Jamie Ashdown, into the goal.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/sep/21/match.portsmouth Gillingham do not mind the Pompey gap Jeremy Wilson The Guardian 21 September 2005 12 November 2025 The scores were level after 90 minutes, so under the rules of the competition 30 minutes of extra time were played. During the additional period, Portsmouth were awarded a penalty kick but Svetoslav Todorov missed; Crofts then scored a goal to give Gillingham a 3–2 victory. Cooper told the media "I was very impressed by their start. They were so quick and we had to show a lot of character to come back. But we finished the stronger team and I'm delighted."http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/4258464.stm Gillingham 3–2 Portsmouth (aet) BBC Sport 12 November 2025 20 September 2005 Gillingham's opponents in the third round were fellow League One team Doncaster Rovers. The game remained scoreless until the final six minutes but Doncaster then scored twice to win the match and eliminate Gillingham. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/184290423 The Daily Telegraph Ron Gubba 4 November 2025 Newspapers.com Heffernan seals late victory 26 October 2005 48 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 2006 597, 599, 600DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance23 August 2005 FirstOxford United (H)1–0Jarvis4,14920 September 2005 SecondPortsmouth (H)3–2 (a.e.t.)Byfield, Ashdown (o.g.), Crofts4,90325 October 2005 ThirdDoncaster Rovers (A)0–2 6,874 Football League Trophy Gillingham entered the 2005–06 Football League Trophy at the first round stage; the competition involved the teams in League One and League Two plus selected teams from the Conference National, the tier below League Two.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4232680.stm Forest handed LDV trip to Woking BBC Sport 17 September 2005 12 November 2025 In the first round, Gillingham played Crawley Town of the Conference National in a match which drew a crowd of only 1,988, the lowest of the season at Priestfield Stadium.Rollin Rollin 2006 192, 597, 599, 600, 605, 606, 613 The match was goalless at the end of the regulation 90 minutes, so extra time was played and Gillingham scored twice in the additional period to win the game.https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6805872.match-report-gillingham-2-crawley-0/ Match report: Gillingham 2 Crawley 0 19 October 2005 3 November 2025 The Argus In the second round, they played Wycombe Wanderers of League Two; Jarvis scored two goals to give Gillingham a 2–0 lead, but Wycombe brought the scores level by the half-time interval.Rollin Rollin 2006 606 There were no further goals in the second half or in extra time, so a penalty shoot-out was required to determine which team would progress to the next round.Rollin Rollin 2006 606 Wycombe won the shoot-out 3–1, and Gillingham were eliminated from the competition.Rollin Rollin 2006 606 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 2006 605, 606DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance18 October 2005 FirstCrawley Town (H)2–0 (a.e.t.)Jackman, Collin1,98822 November 2005 SecondWycombe Wanderers (H)2–2 (a.e.t.)Jarvis (2)2,111 Players thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Andrew Crofts|Andrew Crofts made the most appearances during the season. thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Jason Brown|Jason Brown played 41 times in goal. thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Andy Hessenthaler|Andy Hessenthaler, who had been with the club since 1996, played his final game for Gillingham in December. During the season, 34 players made at least one appearance for Gillingham. Crofts made the most appearances, missing only one of the team's 52 games. Jackman played 47 times and Brown, Jarvis, Cox, and Flynn all made at least 40 appearances. Five players each played fewer than five times, with Paul Crichton the only player to make just a single appearance. Byfield was the team's top goalscorer with 14 goals, the most scored by a Gillingham player in a season since the 2001–02 campaign.Rollin Rollin 2005 192Rollin Rollin 2002 184Rollin Rollin 2003 189Rollin Rollin 2004 190 No other player scored more than seven times. Brown won the club's player of the year award.2006-04-30 Keeper Brown wins player accolade https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/keeper-brown-wins-player-accolad-a23952/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20230829074903/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/keeper-brown-wins-player-accolad-a23952/ 29 August 2023 9 October 2025 Kent Online KM Media Group +Player statisticsRollin Rollin 2006 193, 597, 599, 600, 605, 606, 613No. Squad numberPlayerPositionLeague OneFA CupLeague CupLeague TrophyTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals1Paul CrichtonGK10000000103Tom Williams footballer, born 1980DF13010202018 04Paul Smith footballer, born 1971MF301000105 04No aJustin CochraneDF510000005 15Brent SanchoDF19200200021 26Ian CoxDF36010201040 07Andrew Crofts footballerMF45210312051 38Andy HessenthalerMF16110301021 18No aTommy Black footballer, born 1979MF17500000017 59Steven HislopFW8000201011 09No aGary MulliganFW13100000013 110Michael Flynn footballerMF36610300040 611Danny JackmanDF42000302147 113Jason Brown footballerGK39000200041 014Leon Johnson footballerDF28100101030 115Mark Saunders footballerMF401110107 116Richard Rose footballerDF14000201017 017Tony BullockGK6010102010 018Chris Hope footballerDF241103010 29119Neil Harris footballer, born 1977FW36610002039 620Darren ByfieldFW291300211032 1421Matt JarvisMF35311312241 722Danny SpillerMF32000002034 023Jon WallisMF17010101020 024Mark CorneilleDF200010104 025Alan PoutonMF23200100024 226Paul Shields footballerFW17100101019 127Moses AshikodiFW400000004 028Steve ClaridgeFW100010002 028No aFrannie CollinFW611010119 229Craig StoneMF300000003 030Sean ClohessyDF20100001021 131Akwasi Fobi-EduseiFW600000006 032Gavin Grant footballerFW10100000010 1 FW = Forward, MF = Midfielder, GK = Goalkeeper, DF = Defender a. No Cochrane, Black, Mulligan and Collin were each allocated a squad number which had been worn earlier in the season by a player who had since left the club. Aftermath Jepson was keen to re-sign Byfield when the player's contract expired at the end of the season, but Byfield opted to sign for Millwall.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/millwall/5060932.stm Byfield agrees deal with Millwall BBC Sport 8 June 2006 5 November 2022 Brown also moved on, bringing an end to a Gillingham career during which he had made over 120 appearances.https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/brown-primed-for-gills-vacancy-39691/ Gillingham appoint former player Jason Brown as their new goalkeeper coach Luke Cawdell Kent Online KM Media Group 6 July 2015 12 November 2025 Jepson signed replacement players, including Kelvin Jack, who had played for Trinidad and Tobago in the 2006 FIFA World Cup,https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/keeper-impressed-by-ambition-a-a24938/ Keeper impressed by 'ambition' at Priestfield Luke Cawdell Kent Online KM Media Group 7 July 2006 12 November 2025 but Gillingham performed poorly again in the 2006–07 season, finishing 16th in the league table.https://www.11v11.com/teams/gillingham/tab/leagueTables/31-may-2007/ League One end of season table for 2006-07 season 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 12 November 2025 After Gillingham lost five of their first six games of the 2007–08 season Jepson resigned,https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/sep/09/newsstory.sport Gillingham manager Jepson resigns The Guardian 9 September 2007 20 October 2025 and his replacement Mark Stimsonhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/7073636.stm Gills unveil Stimson as new boss BBC Sport 1 November 2007 30 October 2025 was unable to prevent the team's relegation to League Two at the end of the campaign.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/7377686.stm Leeds 2–1 Gillingham BBC Sport 3 May 2008 30 October 2025 References Works cited Elligate David Gillingham FC On This Day Pitch Publishing 2009 978-1-9054-1145-0 Rollin Glenda Rollin Jack Rothmans Football Yearbook 2002–03 Headline Book Publishing 2002 978-0-75531-100-2 Rollin Glenda Rollin Jack Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2003–2004 Headline Book Publishing 2003 978-0-75531-227-6 Rollin Glenda Rollin Jack Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2004–2005 Headline Book Publishing 2004 978-0-75531-311-2 Rollin Glenda Rollin Jack Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2005–2006 Headline Book Publishing 2005 978-0-75531-384-6 Rollin Glenda Rollin Jack Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2006–2007 Headline Book Publishing 2006 978-0-75531-526-0 Category:Gillingham F.C. seasons Gillingham F.C.