ON THIS DAY

News relevant to the club on this day previously

Richard Day looks back at news relevant to Gillingham FC on this day in history, games, players, debuts etc...

FIXTURES...


1894 - Ilford 6-3 New Brompton                FAC1Q
The clubs first-ever FA Cup tie ended in defeat despite goals from Albert Jenner (2) and Dave Hutcheson.

1899 - Bristol R 0-1 New Brompton            SLD1
George Seeley notched the only goal of the game

1905 - New Brompton 1-1 Luton Town        SLD1
Bill Marriott scored in this draw with the Hatters

1911 - New Brompton 0-0 Bristol R            SLD1

1922 - Gillingham 2-0 Brighton & HA          D3S
A brace of goals from Horace Williams proved too much for the Sussex side

1933 - Gillingham 1-0 Newport Co             D3S   Att: 4,630
A George Purcell penalty won it for the Gills

1950 - Gillingham 1-1 Brighton & HA         D3S   Att: 15,060
George Forrester  was on target against Albion

1961 - Carlisle Utd 1-2 Gillingham             D4    Att: 7,713
Goals from Ronnie Waldock and Bob Ridley ensured that the long journey home was a happy one.

1967 - Gillingham 0-0 Bristol R                 D3    Att: 6,118

1970 - Reading 5-0 Gills Res                    FC

1972 - Gillingham 1-0 Reading                 D4    Att: 3,438
Dave Galvin scored the only goal of the game against the Royals

1976 - Gillingham 3-4 Southampton                 Att: 4,600
The Saints edged Dave Coxhill's Testimonial despite goals from Damian Richardson, Peter Feely and Pat Hilton

1978 - Gillingham 2-0 Hull City               D3    Att: 5,460
A John Crabbe penalty and a Terry Jolley effort saw off the Tigers

1989 - Gillingham 0-3 Stockport Co        D4    Att: 3,950

1995 - Darlington 1-0 Gillingham            D3   Att: 2,043

2000 - Wimbledon 4-4 Gillingham           D1   Att: 9030
Despite goals from Andy Thomson (2), Mark Saunders and Carl Asaba, this entertaining game ended all-square.

2003 - Reading 2-1 Gillingham               C    Att: 13,011
A Marlon King strike wasn't enough to take anything from the Madejski

2006 - Gillingham 0-1 Nott'm Forest       L1   Att: 7800
A certain Nicky Southall scored Forest's goal

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DEBUTS...

The following players made their Gillingham debuts in the above games...

1922 - James Batchelor at home to Brighton & HA

1950 - George Forrester and Dave Thomas also against Brighton

2006 - Luke Howell against Forest at home

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BIRTHS...

1931 - Geoff Hudson

The experienced full-back had played for Bradford Park Avenue, Bradford City, Halifax Town, Exeter City and Crewe Alexandra before arriving at Priestfield in July 1963.

He made his debut on the opening day of the 1963-64 season against his former club Bradford PA and of course it was that campaign that the Gills became Champions of Division Four.

After a spell at Lincoln City, Geoff took up coaching roles at Rotherham United, Cambridge United, Southend United and WBA.


1980 - Bertrand Bossu

When you look at his statistics, the French keeper has been a quite a large number of clubs but not made too many appearances ever since arriving at Barnet from RC Lens in March 2000.

He joined the Gills from Hayes, where he enjoyed his best spell, in September 2003 and made his debut the following month at Walsall.

After eight appearances, and loan spells at Torquay United and Oldham Athletic, he joined Darlington in August 2005.

Bertrand then spent time with Accrington Stanley (loan), Walsall, Aberdeen and Crewe Alexandra before joining current club, Ryman League Division One North Harlow Town, in August 2011.