1914–15 Gillingham F.C. season

English football club season October 2023 Gillingham 1914–15 Sam Gilligan Edward CrawleyTriggs 1999 25 Southern LeagueDivision One 20th FA Cup First round Sam Gilligan, Peter Glen (both 8) Sam Gilligan, Peter Glen (both 8) 8,000 vs Swindon Town (10 October 1914) 2,000 (four matches) 0000FF FF0000 0000FF FFFFFF 0000FF 1913–14 1919–20 During the 1914–15 English football season, Gillingham F.C. competed in the Southern League Division One. It was the 21st season in which the club competed in the Southern League and the 20th in Division One. The season went ahead despite the fact that Britain had entered the First World War in August 1914. Gillingham won twice in their first eight matches of the season but then began a run of games without a victory which lasted for nearly four months; in October and November they lost six consecutive games, including a heavy 8–1 defeat to Croydon Common. The team's performances improved in the second half of the season, with two victories in February and two more in April, but Gillingham finished the season in 20th and last place in the league table, their worst performance in Division One. Gillingham also competed in the FA Cup but lost in the first round. The team played 39 competitive matches, winning 6, drawing 8, and losing 25. Sam Gilligan, the team's player-manager, and Peter Glen tied as top goalscorer with eight goals each. Tom Leslie made the most appearances, playing in every game. The highest recorded attendance at the club's home ground, Priestfield Road, was 8,000 for the game against Swindon Town in October. Due to the escalation of the war and public opposition to sporting events continuing as normal, professional football in England closed down at the end of the season and Gillingham would not play another game for more than four years. Background and pre-season thumb|right|upright|alt=A cartoon of Mr Punch talking to a footballer|The magazine Punch was critical of the decision to allow professional football to continue after the outbreak of war. Founded in 1893 under the name New Brompton,Soar Tyler 1983 110 Gillingham had played in the Southern League since the competition's formation in 1894.https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engsouthernleaghist.html England – Southern League Final Tables Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 19 May 2023 24 July 2005 27 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100127102700/http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/engsouthernleaghist.html live They gained promotion from Division Two at the first attempt in 1895 and had remained in Division One ever since, albeit with little success. The team had only finished in the top half of the league table once in the preceding nine seasons; in the 1913–14 season, Gillingham had finished in 13th place out of 20 teams in the division, their best performance for four years. At the time, the majority of clubs in the two divisions of the ostensibly national Football League were from the northern half of the country, and the Southern League included many of the leading clubs from the south.Soar Tyler 1983 177 Discussions had taken place for several years over whether the two leagues should be amalgamated, or alternatively whether they should remain separate but operate a system of promotion and relegation between the two competitions. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160582528 3 Football Post John Lewis 9 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited The latest about the league 11 November 1911 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160407990 2 Southampton Times 6 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited The third division agitation 18 November 1911 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160408282 16 The Daily Telegraph 6 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Southern League 18 November 1911 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160458223 15 The Observer 7 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited A third division: is it necessary 12 November 1911 William McGregor William McGregor (football) The 1914–15 football season went ahead as normal despite the fact that Britain had entered the First World War less than a month before the season began.Davies 2003 89 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159623373 2 Coventry Evening Telegraph 23 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited Football during war 11 August 1914 The decision was not universally supported, however: while "Sportsman" of the Surrey Mirror wrote that "the provision of healthful recreation and innocent pleasure should be encouraged at this particular stage", https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159624747 2 Surrey Mirror 23 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited Football and the war 18 August 1914 the Hull Daily Mail printed a lengthy letter from a correspondent who wrote that it was "jarring and nauseating" to hear of teams preparing for the new Football League season while British soldiers were engaged in conflict. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159623820 2 Hull Daily Mail 23 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited The war and football: a strong protest 25 August 1914 Shortly after the start of the season, the magazine Punch printed a cartoon drawn by Leonard Raven-Hill depicting its mascot Mr Punch holding a newspaper with a headline about the fighting and saying to a professional footballer "No doubt you can make money in this field, my friend, but there's only one field today where you can get honour".Davies 2003 89 Sam Gilligan was Gillingham's player-manager, a position he had held since July 1913.Triggs 1999 25 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/130671666 1 Sports Argus 25 August 2023 Newspapers.com limited Football notes and notions 19 July 1913 Argus Junior 7 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231007121412/https://www.newspapers.com/article/130671666/ live Charlie Hafekost, the team's leading goalscorer during the previous season,Brown 2003 31 left the club to join Liverpool. "Bee", a writer for the Liverpool Echo, described the signing as an "excellent capture", https://www.newspapers.com/clip/131880756 7 Liverpool Echo 16 September 2023 Newspapers.com limited Hafekost for Liverpool 7 May 1914 Bee 7 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231007132002/https://www.newspapers.com/article/131880756/ live but Hafekost would go on to play only one Football League match for Liverpool.Joyce 2004 110 Gillingham signed a new forward, Bill Hooper, who had made nearly 150 appearances in the Football League for Nottingham Forest.Joyce 2004 142 Buoyed by an increased level of attendance at the club's home ground, Priestfield Road, during the 1913–14 season, Gillingham's board of directors secured a bank loan of UK 1,570 1914 eq yes £ -4UK to fund the building of a new grandstand, although it was not completed in time for the start of the season.Triggs 1999 25Elligate 2009 106Conway 1980 19 The team wore the red and blue kit which had replaced the club's original black and white colours two years earlier.Triggs 1999 27Conway 1980 20 Southern League Division One September–December Gillingham's first game of the season was away to West Ham United; Hooper made his debut, as did another new forward, Matthew Lovett, but the latter player was replaced by Gilligan for the next game and would not play again for more than six months.Brown 2003 32 Peter Glen scored Gillingham's first goal of the season, but two goals from Syd Puddefoot gave West Ham a 2–1 victory. The next game, away to Brighton & Hove Albion, produced a similar outcome as Ernie Pinkney scored for Gillingham but their opponents scored twice to secure the win. The first game of the season at Priestfield Road was on 9 September against West Ham United.Brown 2003 32 Glen scored in the first half to give Gillingham the lead. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159614728 3 Birmingham Gazette 23 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited Hammer's big reverse at Gillingham 10 September 1914 After the interval, West Ham's goalkeeper made a number of saves but was beaten by a penalty kick from Tom Leslie, after which Gillingham scored twice more to complete a 4–0 win. A goal from Abel Lee secured a 1–1 draw with Cardiff City on 12 September but Gillingham lost their next three games.Brown 2003 32 The run began with a 2–0 defeat away to Exeter City on 19 September. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160489866 20 The Sunday People 7 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Southern League 20 September 1914 A week later, Gillingham were defeated at Priestfield Road for the first time since the previous November, losing 4–2 to Luton Town.Brown 2003 31–32 A 1–0 defeat away to Portsmouth in the first match of October left Gillingham in 19th place out of 20 teams in the league table.Brown 2003 32 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160490117 20 The Sunday People 7 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited How the teams stand 4 October 1914 The crowd included a party of wounded soldiers from a military hospital at nearby Southsea.The Daily News https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003212/19141005/103/0005 Points for Portsmouth 5 October 1914 4 December 2024 British Newspaper Archive subscription thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Ernie Pinkney|Ernie Pinkney scored Gillingham's only goal in their 8–1 defeat to Croydon Common. On 10 October, Gillingham played the previous season's Southern League champions, Swindon Town, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159689295 1 Football Express 24 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited End of the football campaign 2 May 1914 at Priestfield Road.Brown 2003 32 Gilligan scored twice in a 4–0 victory for the home team, which The Sporting Life said was "thoroughly deserved",The Sporting Life https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000893/19141012/093/0005 Crestfallen champions 12 October 1914 7 December 2024 British Newspaper Archive subscription 5 but it would be their last win for more than four months.Brown 2003 32 After a 1–1 draw against Southend United on 17 October, Gillingham lost six consecutive matches.Brown 2003 32 Glen and Pinkney, who had both missed the previous game due to influenza, returned for the match at home to Queens Park Rangers on 24 October, but neither scored a goal and Gillingham lost 1–0. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160175191 13 Weekly Dispatch 2 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Rangers improving 25 October 1914 The winless run continued with a 3–0 defeat to Millwall and a 1–0 loss to Bristol Rovers in which Gillingham's Arthur Johnson was sent off.Brown 2003 32 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160175531 20 The Sunday People 2 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Gillingham 0, Bristol Rovers 1 8 November 1914 On 14 November, Gillingham played away to Croydon Common, who were 19th in the league table, above only Gillingham themselves. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160542561 13 Weekly Dispatch 8 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Yesterday's football 8 November 1914 Gillingham made changes to their defence for the game, giving debuts to two players. F. Hall played in place of the team's regular goalkeeper, Albert Bailey, and B. Burgess took the place of Andrew Mosley at full-back.Brown 2003 32 Croydon Common, who had scored only 10 goals in their first 12 league games, scored six times in the first half and ultimately won the match 8–1; https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160542723 13 Weekly Dispatch 8 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Great win for Croydon 15 November 1914 it was the first time for more than two years that Gillingham had conceded as many goals.Brown 2003 30–32 Hall never played another game for Gillingham's first team.Brown 2003 128 Another heavy defeat followed a week later as Gillingham lost 5–0 to the league leaders Reading at Priestfield Road. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160547318 10 Birmingham Post 8 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Reading win handsomely at Gillingham 23 November 1914 Jack Mahon scored only Gillingham's second goal in the last six matches against Southampton on 28 November, but his team lost 2–1.Brown 2003 32 After six consecutive defeats, Gillingham began December by coming from two goals down to secure a 2–2 draw at home to Northampton Town. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160547746 3 Birmingham Gazette 8 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited No injustice 7 December 1914 A week later, they lost 4–0 away to Watford; Don Weightman made his debut at half-back and would play in every game for the remainder of the season.Brown 2003 32 For the next game, against Plymouth Argyle, he was moved to forward and was "conspicuous with a couple of good efforts" according to the Weekly Dispatch, but the game finished goalless. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159930600 11 Weekly Dispatch 28 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited The Southern League 20 December 1914 Gillingham's final two games of the year were both against Norwich City, on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.Brown 2003 32 Glen asked the club's board of directors for permission to miss the Christmas Day game to get married, but his request was refused.Conway 1980 19 In a game which was interrupted by fog for nearly an hour, Gillingham took a 3–1 lead, Glen scoring the third goal, but then conceded two goals in the final three minutes and the game finished in a draw. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159669795 2 Birmingham Post 24 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited Norwich finish well 26 December 1914 In the reverse fixture the following day, Norwich scored in the first minute and added two more goals before half-time. The final score was 4–0 to Norwich; the Weekly Dispatch wrote that "Norwich won easily" and that Gillingham "were the inferior side". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159681368 11 Weekly Dispatch 24 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited Norwich City 4, Gillingham 0 27 December 1914 On the night of 28 December, large parts of the south of England were lashed by heavy gales; https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159622715 3 Cambridge Evening News 23 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited Havoc of the gale 30 December 1914 the new grandstand at Priestfield Road, which had still not been completed, was severely damaged.Elligate 2009 302 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159622498 7 The Daily Telegraph 23 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited In the country 30 December 1914 The cost of the repairs was estimated at UK 600 1914 eq yes £ -4UK and it would be several months before the work was completed.Elligate 2009 302 January–April thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Jack Branfield|Jack Branfield made his debut close to the end of the season. He would go on to be one of the few players to return to the club after the war. Gillingham's first match of 1915 was at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on 2 January.Brown 2003 32 After an even and scoreless first half, Glen gave Gillingham the lead, but Brighton then scored three times to win the game, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159722814 13 Weekly Dispatch 25 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited The Southern League 3 January 1915 extending their opponents' winless run to 13 games.Brown 2003 32 Gillingham lost by the same score away to Cardiff City two weeks later, but then ended their run of defeats with a goalless draw against Exeter City.Brown 2003 32 They ended the month of January with a 3–1 defeat to Luton Town. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160582583 11 Weekly Dispatch 9 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited The Southern League 31 January 1915 Having last won a match on 10 October, Gillingham beat Portsmouth 3–1 at Priestfield Road on 6 February to secure their first victory for more than four months.Brown 2003 32 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160582624 10 The Birmingham Post 9 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited A serious reverse for the leaders 8 February 1915 A week later, they played away to Swindon Town, one of the only three teams they had defeated during the season so far,Brown 2003 32 but were beaten 5–1. Gillingham made a stronger start in a game played in extremely wet and windy conditions before a very small crowd, but the Weekly Dispatch wrote that Swindon displayed "more purpose and greater stamina" and that in the second half "the pace of their forwards left the Gillingham backs bewildered". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159800137 11 Weekly Dispatch 26 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited The Southern League 14 February 1915 Weightman scored Gillingham's goal, his third in as many games.Brown 2003 32 A goal from Gilligan gave Gillingham another victory on 20 February as they beat Southend United 1–0, although the Kent Messenger contended that they were lucky and that Southend were the better team.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003544/19150227/033/0003 Football Kent Messenger subscription 27 February 1915 27 November 2024 British Newspaper Archive 3 Glen was in the team for the first time in six weeks for the game away to Queens Park Rangers on 27 February but failed to score; Gillingham lost the match 3–0.Brown 2003 32 Gillingham's first game of March resulted in a goalless draw with Millwall at Priestfield Road.Brown 2003 32 A week later, they lost 2–1 to Bristol Rovers; the Weekly Dispatch wrote that Gillingham's opponents were "a shade the smarter team" but that both sides "were far from accurate near goal". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160332439 11 Weekly Dispatch 5 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited The Southern League 14 March 1915 On 20 March, Gillingham played at home to Croydon Common, who had inflicted their worst defeat of the season on them four months earlier.Brown 2003 32 After falling a goal behind, Gillingham took the lead when Glen and Pinkney scored in the second half. They had to settle for a draw, though, after Croydon Common scored a late goal.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000893/19150322/103/0006 Point for Croydon The Sporting Life subscription 22 March 1915 5 December 2024 British Newspaper Archive 6 The Sporting Life stated that Gillingham deserved to win and were only prevented from doing so by "an extraordinarily smart display of goalkeeping on the part of the Croydon Common custodian". In their final match of March, Gillingham played away to Reading; the quality of play in the first half was so poor that many fans walked out at half-time. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160346606 24 Sunday Mirror 5 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited A novelty at Reading 28 March 1915 Glen came close to scoring for Gillingham but his team lost 1–0. Having only won four times in the league between September and March, Gillingham began the month of April with two victories on consecutive days.Brown 2003 32 On 2 April, they beat Crystal Palace 3–0 at Priestfield Road;https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000893/19150403/064/0004 Goalkeeper's mistakes The Sporting Life subscription 3 April 1915 9 December 2024 British Newspaper Archive 4 John Tatton scored two goals, only the second time during the season that a Gillingham player had scored more than once in a game.Brown 2003 32 A day later, they beat Southampton 4–3 with two goals each from Glen and Gilligan. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160588155 24 The Sunday People 9 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Great battles in the leagues 4 April 1915 Jack Branfield made his debut in goal in the latter game;Brown 2003 32 he would go on to be the sole pre-war Gillingham player to play for the club in the Football League after Gillingham joined it in 1920.Triggs 2001 12 Despite the two victories, Gillingham remained in 20th and last place in the league table. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160588351 11 Weekly Dispatch 9 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Yesterday's football 4 April 1915 Their final four games of the season all ended in defeat.Brown 2003 32 Against Crystal Palace on 5 April Branfield conceded an early goal and, although he saved a penalty kick in the second half to keep the score at 1–0, Gillingham were unable to score an equaliser and lost to the only goal of the game.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000893/19150406/075/0006 More points for Palace The Sporting Life subscription 6 April 1915 27 November 2024 British Newspaper Archive 6 They were defeated again five days later away to Northampton Town; Gillingham lost 4–0 after being forced to play with ten men for more than an hour after Glen was injured.subs a https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159930999 8 Birmingham Gazette 28 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited Hughes's goals The Cobbler 12 April 1915 In their final home game of the season, Gillingham and Watford were level at 2–2 at half-time, Leslie and Glen having scored for Gillingham, but Watford added a third goal in the second half to claim victory and clinch the championship of the Southern League. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160039703 24 The Sunday People 30 November 2024 Newspapers.com limited Fights to avoid relegation 18 April 1915 Gillingham's final game of the season was away to Plymouth Argyle.Brown 2003 32 Weightman scored twice, taking his tally to seven goals, but Gillingham lost 4–2.Brown 2003 32 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160584737 11 Weekly Dispatch 9 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Argyle earn the points 25 April 1915 They finished the season in 20th place, seven points below 19th-placed Croydon Common; it was Gillingham's worst finish to a season in their 20 seasons in the Southern League Division One.Brown 2003 13–32 They had lost the most games, scored the fewest goals and conceded the most of any team in the division. League match details Key In the result column, Gillingham's score is shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick ResultsBrown 2003 32 DateOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance1 September 1914West Ham United (A)1–2Glen5,0005 September 1914Brighton & Hove Albion (A)1–2Pinkney3,0009 September 1914West Ham United (H)4–0Glen, Leslie (pen.), Lee, Hooper2,50012 September 1914Cardiff City (H)1–1Lee2,50019 September 1914Exeter City (A)0–24,00026 September 1914Luton Town (H)2–4Leslie (pen.), Lee5,0003 October 1914Portsmouth (A)0–18,00010 October 1914Swindon Town (H)4–0Gilligan (2), Leslie (pen.), Pinkney8,00017 October 1914Southend United (A)1–1Thomas5,00024 October 1914Queens Park Rangers (H)0–17,00031 October 1914Millwall (A)0–30 not recorded7 November 1914Bristol Rovers (H)0–17,00014 November 1914Croydon Common (A)1–8Pinkney4,00021 November 1914Reading (H)0–53,00028 November 1914Southampton (A)1–2Mahon2,0005 December 1914Northampton Town (H)2–2Weavers, Leslie (pen.)2,00012 December 1914Watford (A)0–42,50019 December 1914Plymouth Argyle (H)0–06,50025 December 1914Norwich City (H)3–3Gilligan, Weightman, Glen2,00026 December 1914Norwich City (A)0–43,0002 January 1915Brighton & Hove Albion (H)1–3Glen2,50016 January 1915Cardiff City (A)1–3Thomas4,00023 January 1915Exeter City (H)0–02,00030 January 1915Luton Town (A)1–3Weightman0 not recorded6 February 1915Portsmouth (H)3–1Weightman, Thomas, Gilligan2,00013 February 1915Swindon Town (A)1–5Weightman0 not recorded20 February 1915Southend United (H)1–0Gilligan3,00027 February 1915Queens Park Rangers (A)0–33,0006 March 1915Millwall (H)0–03,00013 March 1915Bristol Rovers (A)1–2Gilligan3,00020 March 1915Croydon Common (H)2–2Glen, Pinkney3,00027 March 1915Reading (A)0–10 not recorded2 April 1915Crystal Palace (H)3–0Tatton (2), Weightman6,0003 April 1915Southampton (H)4–3Glen (2), Gilligan (2)3,0005 April 1915Crystal Palace (A)0–10 not recorded10 April 1915Northampton Town (A)0–40 not recorded17 April 1915Watford (H)2–3Leslie (pen.), Glen3,00024 April 1915Plymouth Argyle (A)2–3Weightman (2)5,000 Partial league table 1914–15 Southern Football League#Division One main WDL left auto Southern League Division One final table, bottom positions yes 2 16 WAT Bristol Rovers BRI Plymouth Argyle GIL Gillingham BRE Southend United STO Croydon Common 14 3 21 53 75 8 14 16 51 61 6 8 24 43 82 10 8 20 44 64 9 9 20 47 63 complete https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engsouthernleaghist.html England – Southern League Final Tables Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 19 May 2023 24 July 2005 Dinant Abbink 27 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100127102700/http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/engsouthernleaghist.html live FA Cup Gillingham entered the 1914–15 FA Cup at the first-round stage in January; their opponents were Rochdale of the Central League,Collett 2003 307 who had had to win three qualifying matches to reach this stage of the competition.Collett 2003 519 Rochdale scored two goals in the first half and won 2–0, eliminating Gillingham from the FA Cup.Collett 2003 307 Cup match details Key In the result column, Gillingham's score is shown first H = Home match A = Away match ResultsBrown 2003 32 DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance9 January 1915FirstRochdale (A)0–26,000 Players thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Sam Gilligan|Sam Gilligan was the team's joint top goalscorer. thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Jack Mahon|Jack Mahon made 37 appearances during the season. During the season, 22 players took the field at least once for Gillingham.Brown 2003 32 Leslie made the most appearances, playing in all 39 of the team's matches. Mahon missed only two games and Gilligan, Mosley, and Tatton all made more than 30 appearances.Brown 2003 32 There were three players who were in the line-up for only one match, including the goalkeeper F. Hall, whose sole appearance represented the entirety of his Gillingham career.Brown 2003 128 Eleven players scored at least one goal for the team during the season. Gilligan and Glen tied as the team's top scorer with eight goals each.Brown 2003 32 +Player statisticsBrown 2003 32PlayerPositionSouthern LeagueDivision OneFA CupTotalApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsAlbert Bailey 1GK 35010360Jack BranfieldGK 200020B. Burgess 1FB 400040Charles Fotheringham 1FW 100010William Frost 1FB 100010Sam GilliganFW 32810338Peter Glen 1FW 25810268George Gray 1HB 16000160F. Hall 1GK 100010Bill Hooper footballer, born 1884FW 25100251Arthur Johnson footballer, born 1886HB 29010300Abel LeeHB 28310293Tom LeslieFB 38510395Matthew Lovett 1FW 200020Jack Mahon footballer, born 1886HB 36110371Andrew MosleyFB 34010350Ernie PinkneyFW 28410294John Tatton 1FW 30210312Bill Thomas 1FW 18300183Sidney Weavers 1FW 510051Don Weightman 1FW 22710237W. Wimsett 1FW 600060 FW = Forward, HB = Half-back, GK = Goalkeeper, FB = Full-back Aftermath Owing to the escalation of the war and growing public sentiment that continuing sporting events as normal was not appropriate, all major football competitions in England, including the Southern League, closed down in 1915 and did not resume for four years.Davies 2003 89Soar Tyler 1983 186, 187 Temporary regional leagues, featuring amateur players only, took place in the intervening years, but Gillingham did not take part.Davies 2003 89Soar Tyler 1983 186, 187https://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/division-one-1914-15/ Division One 1914–15 When Saturday Comes January 2011 Graham Hughes 7 October 2023 7 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231007133010/https://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/division-one-1914-15/ live Mosley, one of Gillingham's regular starters during the 1914–15 season, was killed in action during the war.https://secure.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/RollOfHonour/People/Details/28358 Andrew Mosley Nottinghamshire County Council 30 September 2023 5 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231005072703/https://secure.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/RollOfHonour/People/Details/28358 live Most of the team's other pre-war players, including the player-manager Gilligan, did not return to the club after the hostilities; when Gillingham played their first game for more than four years in August 1919, there were only two players in the team who had represented the club before the war.Brown 2003 33 Although Gillingham's last-place finish would ordinarily have resulted in relegation to Division Two, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160394141 11 Weekly Dispatch 6 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Sheffield United win the Cup for the third time – Surprising league scores 25 April 1915 when the Southern League resumed they were again placed in Division One. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160394255 Devon and Exeter Gazette 6 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Southern League 8 February 1919 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/124789504 The Daily Telegraph 16 May 2023 Newspapers.com limited Points for London teams 1 September 1919 12 A year later, all the clubs in the division were admitted to the Football League en masse to form its new Third Division.Elligate 2009 97 Footnotes a. subs The concept of substitutes was not introduced to English football until the 1960s; previously, if a player had to leave a game due to injury, the team had to continue with a reduced number of players.https://www.theguardian.com/football/when-saturday-comes-blog/2015/sep/18/fifty-years-substitutions-football-sport Fifty years of substitutions in football: from necessary novelties to tactical tools The Guardian Peter Bateman 18 September 2015 22 October 2023 1 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231001105929/https://www.theguardian.com/football/when-saturday-comes-blog/2015/sep/18/fifty-years-substitutions-football-sport live References Works cited Brown Tony The Definitive Gillingham F.C.: A Complete Record Soccerdata 2003 978-1-8994-6820-1 Mike Collett The Complete Record of the FA Cup 2003 SportsBooks Limited 978-1-89980-719-2 The "Gills" Tony Conway 1980 978-0-9052-7026-5 Meresborough Books Davies Hunter Boots, Balls and Haircuts: An Illustrated History of Football from Then to Now 978-1-84403-032-3 2003 Cassell Hunter Davies Elligate David Gillingham FC On This Day Pitch Publishing 2009 978-1-9054-1145-0 Michael Joyce Football League Players' Records 1888 – 1939 Soccerdata 2004 978-1-89946-867-6 Soar Phil Martin Tyler Martin Tyler Encyclopedia of British Football 1983 CollinsWillow 978-0-0021-8049-8 Roger Triggs Images of England: Gillingham Football Club Tempus Publishing 1999 978-0-75241-567-3 Roger Triggs The Men Who Made Gillingham Football Club Tempus Publishing 2001 978-0-75242-243-5 1914-15 Category:English football clubs 1914–15 season