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...


1895 - New Brompton 0-0 Royal Ordnance   SLD1

1907 - Crystal Palace 3-3 New Brompton   SLD1
A Bill Marriott hat-trick sparkled against the Glaziers

1912 - Portsmouth 2-1 Gillingham   SLD1
Charlie Hafekost was on target in this defeat at Fratton Park

1929 - Swindon Town 0-0 Gillingham   D3S

1935 - Gillingham 3-0 Newport County   D3S   Att: 5,025
Goals from George Tadman, Dick Doncaster and Jim Watson all scored against the Welsh outfit

1938 - Aldershot Reserves 0-1 Gillingham   SLD1
A Tug Wilson goal won the game at the Recreation Ground

1946 - Gillingham 4-0 Yeovil Town   SLD1   Att: 7,016
Two goals from Vic Hole plus others from Wally Akers and Johnny Warsap saw the Gills win easily

1957 - Gillingham 2-3 Colchester Utd   D3S   Att: 8,535
The U's took the points despite a brace from Ron Saunders

1960 - Gillingham 1-1 Preston NE   LC2   Att: 5,735
The game went to a replay, the Gills goal coming through a Willie Cunningham own goal

1963 - Gillingham 1-0 Brighton & HA   D4   Att: 13,451
Jimmy White scored the only goal of the game

1968 - Bristol Rovers 5-1 Gillingham   D3   Att: 5,551
Gordon Riddick scored as the Gills were heavily beaten at Eastville

1974 - Grimsby Town 2-1 Gillingham   D3   Att: 5,296
The Mariners won despite a Damien Richardson goal

1982 - Gillingham 4-0 Orient   D3   Att: 3,849
Two goals from Neil Grewcock plus others from Mark Weatherly and Dick Tydeman saw the O's leave with nothing

1985 - Bournemouth 2-3 Gillingham   D3   Att: 3,561
A Tony Cascarino brace plus one from Dave Shearer saw the Gills triumph at Dean Court

1991 - Doncaster R 1-1 Gillingham   D4   Att: 1,468
Steve Lovell was the Gills marksman at Belle Vue

1996 - Gillingham 2-3 Millwall   D2   Att: 9,305
Two Steve Butler penalties weren't enough to stop a Lions victory

1999 - Brentford 1-2 Gillingham    D2   Att: 6,264
The Gills scorers in the win at Griffin Park were Manny Omoyimni and Mark Saunders

2002 - Gillingham 3-0 Watford   D1   Att: 8,728
Mamady Sidibe, Guy Ipoua and Kevin James were all on target against the Hornets

2004 - Millwall 2-1 Gillingham    C    Att: 10,722
A cracking Adam Nowland strike couldn't  prevent defeat at the New Den

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DEBUTS...

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

1996 - Craig Armstrong at home to Millwall

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BIRTHS...

1894 - Tom Sisson
The left-back joined the Gills from Hucknell Bryon in July 1920 and made his debut on the opening day of the season against Southampton.

Tom made 73 appearances before moving on to Lincoln City in December 1923.


1932 - Don Campbell
The Bootle born right-back came through the ranks at Anfield, winning England Youth honours along the way.

After leaving Liverpool, where he scored twice in 47 league games, he joined Crewe Alexandra.

In September 1962 he came to Priestfield, initially on trial, making his debut away at York City.

After 33 games for the Gills he went on to play for Folkestone Town, Margate and Canterbury City. 


1961 - Chris Pike
The Cardiff born forward Chris Pike, who is now in his 50th year, began his career in the Cardiff Combination League with Park Lawn FC of Whitchurch and went on to play for Maesteg Park, Barry Town, Fulham, Cardiff City and Hereford United before, in September 1994, Gillingham boss Mike Flanagan paid £15,000 for his services.

After making his debut at home to Mansfield Town his first goal came the following week, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 home win over Torquay United.

Chris suffered back problems while at Priestfield but in his one season with the Gills he netted 18 times, including a hat-trick in a 4-2 win against Doncaster Rovers, in his 32 games.

Pike then returned to Wales, re-signing for League of Wales outfit Barry Town before spells followed at Cwmbran Town, Bridgend Town, Rhayader Town (twice) and Llanelli.
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DEATHS...

1975 - Bill Savage
The Chatham born centre-forward played just four games for the Gills, making his debut against Watford at home in September 1923

Bill died in Brighton on 19 October 1975