1929–30 Gillingham F.C. season

English football club season February 2015 February 2015 Gillingham 1929–30 Dick Hendrie Jack KnightBradley Triggs 1994 392 Third Division South 21st FA Cup First round Fred Cheesmur (18) Fred Cheesmur (18) 8,160 vs Walsall (31 August 1929) 1,889 vs Clapton Orient (16 November 1929) _black_stripes _blackstripes _black_stripes 000000 1928–29 1930–31 During the 1929–30 English football season, Gillingham F.C. competed in the Football League Third Division South, the third tier of the English football league system. It was the 10th season in which the club competed in the Football League. The team's results in the first half of the season were poor, with a run of 17 games during which they won only once; at the end of 1929 they were in 21st place out of 22 teams in the Third Division South league table. Results failed to improve until close to the end of the season, when Gillingham won four of their final six games, including a victory over Merthyr Town in which Fred Cheesmur scored six goals, a new club record haul for a single match. Despite this late improvement, Gillingham finished the season in 21st place; the club was required to apply for re-election to the League for the following season but retained its place. Gillingham also competed in the FA Cup but lost in the first round to Margate of the Kent League in what was seen as a major upset. They played 43 competitive matches, winning 11, drawing 8, and losing 24. Cheesmur was the team's top goalscorer with 18 goals. He and George Bishop made the most appearances, both playing in 41 games. The highest recorded attendance at the club's home ground, Priestfield Road, was 8,160 for the opening game of the season against Walsall. Background and pre-season thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Dick Hendrie|Dick Hendrie took over as the club's new manager. The 1929–30 season was Gillingham's 10th season playing in the Football League. The club had been one of the founder members of the Third Division in 1920. A year later, the division was re-branded the Third Division South when a parallel Third Division North was created.Soar Tyler 1983 110 Gillingham had consistently struggled in the Third Division South, finishing in the top half of the league table only once. In the 1928–29 season, they had finished in last place (22nd),Soar Tyler 1983 110Brown 2003 43 and been required to apply for re-election to the Football League for the following season. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161058479 3 Coventry Evening Telegraph 17 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Voting for Third Division membership 3 June 1929 Shortly afterwards, Dick Hendrie, a former Gillingham player who had most recently served as player-assistant manager at Brentford, was appointed as Gillingham's new manager, replacing Albert Hoskins, who had resigned in late March.Elligate 2009 82 Hendrie signed nearly an entire team of new players, including Jack Beacham, a half-back, and Thomas Brennan, a teenaged forward, from his former club Brentford.Triggs 2001 10, 12 Additional forwards joining the club included Fred Castle from Chesterfield and Fred Cheesmur from Charlton Athletic,Triggs 2001 14 as well as two Scottish players, Jim McCafferty from Shieldmuir Celtic and Campbell Whyte from Third Lanark.Triggs 2001 22, 32 Other players joining from clubs in Hendrie's native Scotland included the goalkeeper Dave Smith from Hamilton Academical and the full back John Geddes from Celtic.Triggs 2001 18, 30 Albert Collins and George Bishop, both half-backs, were signed from Millwall and Merthyr Town respectively, the former for a transfer fee of £250, a new record for the highest fee paid by Gillingham to sign a player.Triggs 2001 12, 14Bradley Triggs 1994 87 The team wore Gillingham's usual kit of black and white striped shorts with white shorts and black socks.Bradley Triggs 1994 87 Third Division South August–December thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Jack Beacham|Jack Beacham was one of a number of players who made their Gillingham debuts in the first game of the season. Gillingham's first match of the season took place at their home ground, Priestfield Road, against Walsall on 31 August.Brown 2003 43 Smith, Beacham, Collins, Bishop, McCafferty, Cheesmur and Castle all made their debuts; Castle and Cheesmur scored the goals in a 2–1 victory for Gillingham.Brown 2003 43 The Sunday Mercury wrote that Gillingham were "decidedly stronger than last season". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160647583 13 Sunday Mercury 10 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Walsall unfortunate to lose at Gillingham 1 September 1929 The attendance of 8,160 would prove to be the largest crowd of the season at the stadium.Brown 2003 43 Gillingham played six matches in September, of which they lost five.Brown 2003 43 Their first away game of the season ended in a 3–0 defeat to Exeter City on 4 September; the Western Morning News wrote that "for Gillingham's defence the match was one long test, both of brains and stamina". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160727129 12 Western Morning News 11 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Exeter too good for Gillingham 5 September 1929 After a 2–1 defeat away to Queens Park Rangers, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160734169 10 Daily Herald 11 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Fatal miss for Gillingham 9 September 1929 "Bushman" Gillingham beat Exeter City 2–0 with goals from Cheesmur and Castle, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160734657 12 Western Morning News 11 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Exeter City lose at Gillingham 12 September 1929 but then lost three consecutive games without scoring a goal, losing 1–0 at home to Fulham and 2–0 away to both Luton Town and Norwich City.Brown 2003 43 The losing run ended with a 1–1 draw with Crystal Palace in the final game of September; Gillingham were hampered by an early injury to Whyte, who "limped about at outside right for eighty minutes"subs a according to the Sunday Dispatch. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160952504 22 Sunday Dispatch 15 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Palace in luck 29 September 1929 The same newspaper reported that Gillingham were "superior in midfield" but "woefully lacking in marksmanship". Gillingham's first match of October was away to Plymouth Argyle, who were top of the Third Division South league table having won six of their first eight games.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/04-October-1929/ Division Three (South) table after close of play on 4 October 1929 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 16 December 2024 Plymouth took the lead in the first minute and went on to win 3–0. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161021222 22 Sunday Dispatch 16 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited The team of the west 6 October 1929 Gillingham lost again a week later; 19-year-old George Pateman scored a goal on his Football League debut,Triggs 2001 24 but Northampton Town had already scored three times and went on to win 3–1. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161024527 10 Daily Herald 16 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Northampton dash 14 October 1929 In their next match, Gillingham drew 0–0 with Swindon Town despite having only ten players for more than half the match after Bishop suffered a head injury;subs a the player subsequently received six stitches in the wound. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161024794 22 Sunday Dispatch 16 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited 10 men – and pluck 20 October 1929 "Hopper" A 2–0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, in which Collins was sent off, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161025238 22 Sunday Dispatch 16 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Amazing scene on soccer field 27 October 1929 left Gillingham in 22nd and last place in the Third Division South league table at the end of October.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/31-October-1929/ Division Three (South) table after close of play on 31 October 1929 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 12 December 2024 They began November with a 3–3 draw against Bristol Rovers; having been 3–1 down during the second half, Gillingham scored two goals to secure a draw and could have won but for a last-minute save by Bristol Rovers' goalkeeper. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161004023 4 Western Daily Press 16 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Rovers robbed of a point in closing stages 4 November 1929 In their next game, away to Brentford, Cheesmur gave Gillingham the lead, but Brentford scored two goals, the second four minutes from the end of the game, to win 2–1. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161017695 22 Sunday Dispatch 16 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Dour defence's fatal lapse 10 November 1929 The Daily Herald said that Brentford "scarcely deserved both points". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161017909 22 Daily Herald 16 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Brentford poor 11 November 1929 On 16 November, Gillingham won for the first time in eleven matches when two goals from Cheesmur gave them a 2–0 victory at home to Clapton Orient, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160822503 22 Sunday Dispatch 13 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Feeble Orient 17 November 1929 which took them up to 19th in the table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/16-November-1929/ Division Three (South) table after close of play on 16 November 1929 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 16 December 2024 The attendance of 1,889 was the lowest of the season at Priestfield Road.Brown 2003 43 Following their first victory for more than two months, Gillingham lost four of their next five matches, conceding five goals in three of them.Brown 2003 43 On 23 November, they lost 5–0 to Coventry City; the Birmingham Gazette criticised Gillingham's forwards and said that their ineffectiveness served to increase the pressure on the team's defence. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160964279 10 Birmingham Gazette 15 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Widdowson's fine display 25 November 1929 In their next league game, Gillingham again conceded five goals, losing 5–1 to Newport County; the Daily Herald reported that, had it not been for the skill of Gillingham's defenders, the defeat would have been even heavier. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160966050 10 Daily Herald 15 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Newport recovery 9 December 1929 After a 2–0 defeat to Torquay United, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160966598 11 Western Morning News 15 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Torquay outplay Gillingham 16 December 1929 Gillingham drew 1–1 with Merthyr Town, the only team below them in the league table. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160966817 27 Sunday Pictorial 15 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Yesterday's football results and tables 22 December 1929 On Christmas Day, Gillingham played Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic at Priestfield Road and lost 5–1.Brown 2003 43 The result meant that they had not won for over a month and had been victorious only twice in their first 20 league matches of the season,Brown 2003 43 but they then won their next two games, beginning with a victory over the same opponents on Boxing Day. Andy Durnion scored twice in a 2–1 Gillingham victory, the first time their opponents had been defeated at home during the season. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160763360 23 Daily Mirror 12 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Argyle's waterloo 27 December 1929 Jack Beby replaced Smith in goal for the Boxing Day game and remained the team's regular goalkeeper for the rest of the season.Brown 2003 43Triggs 2001 10 Two days later, Durnion scored again as Gillingham won 2–1 away to Walsall; the Sunday Dispatch wrote that Gillingham adapted their style of play better to suit the muddy conditions. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160771663 18 Sunday Dispatch 12 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Beat themselves 29 December 1929 Despite the two victories, Gillingham remained in 21st place in the league table at the end of 1929.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/31-December-1929/ Division Three (South) table after close of play on 31 December 1929 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 11 December 2024 January–May thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Andy Durnion|Andy Durnion scored four goals in a match in February. Gillingham's first match of 1930 was at home to Queens Park Rangers.Brown 2003 43 Durnion scored his fourth goal in three games as Gillingham secured a third consecutive victory,Brown 2003 43 winning 3–1. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161059291 18 Sunday Dispatch 17 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Team of workers 5 January 1930 The result meant that they moved out of the bottom two places in the league table, rising to 20th;https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/04-January-1930/ Division Three (South) table after close of play on 4 January 1930 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 21 December 2024 finishing the season any lower would result in another application for re-election. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161298629 11 Western Morning News 21 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited League finale 5 May 1930 Following three wins in ten days, Gillingham lost their next four games.Brown 2003 43 The losing run began with a 2–1 defeat at home to Watford on 11 January in a match played in heavy rain and bad light. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161086203 14 Sunday Mercury 17 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Barrow's smart win 12 January 1930 On 18 January, Gillingham lost 2–1 away to Fulham, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161128205 12 The Daily Telegraph 18 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Points for Fulham 20 January 1930 and a week later Norwich City won by the same score at Priestfield Road. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161128372 18 Sunday Dispatch 18 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Southend stagnate 26 January 1930 February began with a 5–1 defeat away to Crystal Palace, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161129559 18 Sunday Dispatch 18 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Five for Palace 2 February 1930 the fourth time Gillingham had conceded five goals in a match since late November.Brown 2003 43 The Sunday Dispatch wrote that Gillingham's players spent almost all of the second half defending, only occasionally making it out of their own half of the pitch. The run of defeats ended with a goalless draw with Plymouth Argyle, who were second in the league table going into the game.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/07-February-1930/ Division Three (South) table after close of play on 7 February 1930 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 18 December 2024 The Sunday Dispatch reported that Plymouth needed to improve their form if they wished to maintain their challenge for promotion and that Gillingham would have won the game had it not been for their "ineffective finishing". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1161138832 18 Sunday Dispatch 18 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Argyle off their form 9 February 1930 On 15 February, Gillingham beat Northampton Town 5–2 at Priestfield Road. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161146465 9 Daily Herald 18 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Durnion's day 17 February 1930 Durnion scored four goals, the first time a Gillingham player had scored more than three times in a Football League match.Brown 2003 34–43 It would prove to be the team's last victory for nearly two months, however.Brown 2003 43 Gillingham's final match of February ended in a 3–0 defeat to Swindon Town. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161175966 18 Sunday Dispatch 19 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Tonic for Swindon 23 February 1930 In the first match of March, Gillingham took a 2–0 lead over Brighton & Hove Albion but then conceded two goals and had to settle for a draw. The Daily Herald wrote that Gillingham's forwards wasted many goalscoring chances and "fumbled and crowded each other out at the goalmouth". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161177543 10 Daily Herald 19 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Tale of wasted chances 3 March 1930 Gillingham's next five matches all ended in defeat,Brown 2003 43 beginning with a 3–0 loss to Bristol Rovers on 8 March. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161181268 4 Western Daily Press 19 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Bristol Rovers at last break the spell 10 March 1930 A week later, Gillingham took an early lead against Brentford at Priestfield Road through Leonard Dowell but then conceded three goals and lost 3–1. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161236733 13 Sunday Mercury 20 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Norwich City's ample revenge 16 March 1930 The next game resulted in a 2–0 defeat to Clapton Orient. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161298445 22 Sunday Dispatch 21 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Few thrills 23 March 1930 Cheesmur and Durnion both returned to the team for the game against Coventry City on 29 March, having been absent for the previous match,Brown 2003 43 but neither scored and Gillingham lost 3–0. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161298562 10 Birmingham Gazette 21 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Coventry's good team work 31 March 1930 In their first match of April, Gillingham took a first-half lead over Watford through Brennan's first goal for the club,Brown 2003 43 but then conceded four times and lost 4–1. The Sunday Dispatch described their play as "feeble" and said they resembled "a side without hope". https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161238184 22 Sunday Dispatch 20 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Tame affair 6 April 1930 Having lost six of the preceding seven games, Gillingham's form changed dramatically as they ended the season with an unbeaten run of six matches, comprising four wins and two draws.Brown 2003 43 On 12 April, they beat Newport County 5–0 at Priestfield Road. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161116979 22 Sunday Dispatch 18 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Gillingham's best 13 April 1930 Fred Ellis, playing his first match for more than two months,Brown 2003 43 scored the first goal and set up the second, and William Jones, who had returned to the team a week earlier having not played since January,Brown 2003 43 scored the fifth. Cheesmur scored twice to take his goal tally for the season to 11.Brown 2003 43 Gillingham next played three games in four days over the Easter weekend.Brown 2003 43 On 18 April, Jones scored for the second consecutive game to secure a 1–0 victory over Southend United,Brown 2003 43 and the following day Gillingham drew 1–1 with Torquay United. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161298290 10 Western Morning News 21 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited One point secured from Gillingham 21 April 1930 They continued their unbeaten run with a 0–0 draw against Southend United.Brown 2003 43 In the penultimate game of the season, Gillingham played Merthyr Town, who were in 22nd place in the league table, having won only five games during the season and conceded 128 goals, nearly 40 more than any other team in the division.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/25-April-1930/ Division Three (South) table after close of play on 25 April 1930 11v11 Association of Football Statisticians 18 December 2024 19 December 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241219165247/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/25-April-1930/ live Gillingham won the match 6–0,Brown 2003 43 Cheesmur scoring all the goals. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160652990 17 The Daily Telegraph 10 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Fate of many clubs still undecided 28 April 1930 It was the first time a Gillingham player had scored as many goals in a single game in any competition.Triggs 2001 349 The final match of the season was at home to Luton Town; Cheesmur and John Speed scored in a 2–0 win. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161059518 15 Daily Herald 17 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Luton Town routed 5 May 1930 Despite the late run of good results, Gillingham finished the season in 21st place in the league table, level on points with 20th-placed Bristol Rovers but with an inferior goal average.Soar Tyler 1983 198 League match details Key In the result column, Gillingham's score is shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal ResultsBrown 2003 43 DateOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance31 August 1929Walsall (H)2–1Castle, Cheesmur8,1604 September 1929Exeter City (A)0–35,2977 September 1929Queens Park Rangers (A)1–2Cheesmur11,87511 September 1929Exeter City (H)2–0Cheesmur, Castle4,57414 September 1929Fulham (H)0–17,90116 September 1929Luton Town (A)0–27,16821 September 1929Norwich City (A)0–29,98128 September 1929Crystal Palace (H)1–1Dowell6,8185 October 1929Plymouth Argyle (A)0–35,77712 October 1929Northampton Town (A)1–3Pateman10,66319 October 1929Swindon Town (H)0–05,59726 October 1929Brighton & Hove Albion (A)0–27,5042 November 1929Bristol Rovers (H)3–3Cheesmur, Collins, Pateman4,7949 November 1929Brentford (A)1–2Cheesmur9,60316 November 1929Clapton Orient (H)2–0Cheesmur (2)1,88923 November 1929Coventry City (A)0–58,7557 December 1929Newport County (A)1–5Geddes1,99114 December 1929Torquay United (H)0–23,31021 December 1929Merthyr Town (A)1–1Dowell1,35225 December 1929Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic (H)1–5Castle3,95426 December 1929Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic (A)2–1Durnion (2)11,48128 December 1929Walsall (A)2–1Durnion, Dowell3,5684 January 1930Queens Park Rangers (H)3–1Durnion, Whyte, Cheesmur5,96111 January 1930Watford (H)1–2Whyte5,56218 January 1930Fulham (A)1–2Dowell15,19625 January 1930Norwich City (H)1–2Dowell3,2491 February 1930Crystal Palace (A)1–5Whyte8,7838 February 1930Plymouth Argyle (H)0–04,90515 February 1930Northampton Town (H)5–2Durnion (4), Cheesmur4,66522 February 1930Swindon Town (A)0–33,0701 March 1930Brighton & Hove Albion (H)2–2Durnion, Dowell5,0358 March 1930Bristol Rovers (A)0–35,01115 March 1930Brentford (H)1–3Dowell6,74922 March 1930Clapton Orient (A)0–29,34829 March 1930Coventry City (H)0–33,8655 April 1930Watford (A)1–4Brennan4,78712 April 1930Newport County (H)5–0Ellis, Bethell, Cheesmur (2), Jones2,74318 April 1930Southend United (H)1–0Jones7,96419 April 1930Torquay United (A)1–1Bethell3,47221 April 1930Southend United (A)0–09,03626 April 1930Merthyr Town (H)6–0Cheesmur (6)3,5133 May 1930Luton Town (H)2–0Cheesmur, Speed4,831 Partial league table 1929–30 Football League#Third Division South main WDL left auto Football League Third Division South final table, bottom positions yes 2 19 EXE Torquay United REA Bristol Rovers GIL Gillingham BRE Merthyr Town 10 11 21 64 94 11 8 23 67 93 11 8 23 51 80 6 9 27 60 135 Required to apply for re-election R R complete Soar Tyler 1983 198 FA Cup Gillingham entered the 1929–30 FA Cup in the first round,Collett 2003 307 and were paired with Margate of the Kent League, who had progressed from the qualifying rounds for the first time.Collett 2003 413 Earlier in the season, Gillingham's reserve team had beaten Margate 4–0 in a Kent League match. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160776804 2 East Kent Times 12 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Margate outclassed 2 October 1929 In what was seen as a significant upset, Gillingham lost 2–0 to their lower-level opponents and were eliminated from the competition.Elligate 2009 185 Gillingham were awarded two penalty kicks during the match but Margate's goalkeeper saved both of them. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/160645978 26 Sunday Pictorial 10 December 2024 Newspapers.com limited Bravo, Margate! 1 December 1929 Cup match details Key In result column, Gillingham's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal ResultsBrown 2003 43 DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance30 November 1929FirstMargate (H)0–2 4,150 Players thumb|right|upright|alt=Footballer Jock Robertson|Jock Robertson made 30 appearances. Twenty-seven players made at least one appearance for Gillingham during the season. Bishop and Cheesmur made the most, each playing in 41 of the team's 43 competitive matches; four other players each played more than 30 times. Ronald Baird was the only player to make just one appearance; he played against Coventry City in March,Triggs 2001 10 but it would prove to be the only Football League game of his career.Joyce 2004 14 Thirteen players scored at least one goal for Gillingham during the season. Cheesmur was the top goalscorer with 18 goals, followed by Durnion with 9 goals, all scored within 10 appearances between 26 December and 1 March.Brown 2003 43 +Player statisticsBrown 2003 43PlayerPositionThird Division SouthFA CupTotalApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsRonald BairdFB 100010Jim Bartley footballerFB 900090Jack BeachamHB 35010360Jack BebyGK 20000200Roy BethellFW 12200122George Bishop footballerHB 40010410Thomas Brennan footballerFW710071Fred Castle footballerFW 16300163Fred CheesmurFW 4018104118Albert Collins footballerHB 36100361Leonard DowellFW 22700227Andy DurnionFW 19910209Fred Ellis footballerHB 20100201John Geddes footballer FB11110121Syd GoreFW 32010330William Jones English footballer, fl. 1930sHB 12200122Sydney MartinFW 201030Jim McCafferty footballerFW 14010150George PatemanFW 720072Jock Robertson FB30010310Robert Robinson footballerHB 200020Jack Rutherford footballer, born 1908GK 200020Dave Smith footballer, born 1903GK20010210John Speed footballer FW610061Campbell WhyteFW24300243Joe Wilson 1920s and 1930s footballerFB21010220Lewis WoolvenFW 200020 FW = Forward, HB = Half-back, GK = Goalkeeper, FB = Full-back Aftermath As a result of finishing 21st, the club was required to apply for re-election for the second consecutive season; Gillingham secured the most votes out of the two clubs seeking re-election and four applicants from outside the league and therefore remained in the Third Division South for the following season. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/161058291 Daily Herald 17 December 2024 Newspapers.com subscription Election of Thames F.C. 3 June 1930 14 Over the next eight seasons, Gillingham finished in the lower half of the league table a further six times.Soar Tyler 1983 199–206 At the conclusion of the 1937–38 season, Gillingham applied for re-election for the fifth time since 1920;Elligate 2009 97 on this occasion the club was voted out of the Football League. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109170307 Daily Telegraph 8 September 2022 Newspapers.com subscription Ipswich Town F.C. in Third Division 31 May 1938 23 After playing in non-League football until and immediately after the Second World War, Gillingham returned to the Football League in 1950 when both Third Divisions were increased in size.Mitchell Reeves Tyler 2013 140 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109225807 Daily Telegraph Frank Coles 9 September 2022 Newspapers.com subscription 4 More Clubs in League 5 June 1950 11 Footnotes a. subs The concept of substitutes was not introduced to English football until the 1960s; previously, an injured player had to play on or else 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 Bradley Andy Roger Triggs Home of the Shouting Men: Complete History of Gillingham Football Club 1893–1993 Gillingham F.C. 1994 978-0-9523361-0-5 Brown Tony The Definitive Gillingham F.C.: A Complete Record Soccerdata 2003 978-1-89946-820-1 Mike Collett The Complete Record of the FA Cup 2003 SportsBooks Limited 978-1-89980-719-2 Elligate David Gillingham FC On This Day Pitch Publishing 2009 978-1-905411-45-0 Michael Joyce Football League Players' Records 1888 – 1939 Soccerdata 2004 978-1-899468-67-6 Mitchell Colin Reeves Jon Tyler Daniel The History of English Football Clubs New Holland Publishers 2013 978-1-78009-449-6 Soar Phil Martin Tyler 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 978-0-75242-243-5 Category:Gillingham F.C. seasons Gillingham