Weekly update of what has been happening at the club…..
Wheeler Takes Charge
Gillingham Ladies have undertaken a re-shuffle to their coaching team with Jack Wheeler taking over management of the women's team enabling Darren Hare to focus on overseeing the club's academy structure.
The news means that Gills Ladies are now looking for a new assistant manager. If you're ambitious, dedicated and passionate about coaching and are interested in the role, please email crichardson@priestfield.com
Gills Ladies make it four games unbeaten
This week Gillingham Ladies were on the road again for their next league game against Luton Ladies FC, who had made an impressive start to the season. Gills Ladies managed to grab all three points which brought LLFC’s unbeaten league record to an end, this result also made it four consecutive league wins and moved Gills Ladies up to second in the league table just behind Crystal Palace.
Gills Ladies started the game very brightly, early on Kallie Balfour had a great effort on target saved by the LLFC keeper, shortly followed some good possession and Katie Hardaker fed a through ball to Kallie Balfour who managed to place her shot just wide. Shannon Redhouse made a good run and took on three defenders with ease to score a great goal to give Gills Ladies the lead.
Gills Ladies were enjoying a bit of possession and a great ball from Jade Keogh to pick out Kallie Balfour who finished perfectly on the volley to double Gills Ladies lead to make it 0-2. However, some nervy mistakes by Gills Ladies lead to a number of chances for LLFC but Courtney Shanley came to the rescue with a number of good saves. Just before half time Vanesha Patel left the field due to injury and Ashleigh Loosemore came on, unfortunately the nervy mistakes continued and LLFC were given the opportunity to go on a counter attack and they slotted the ball home to make it 1-2.
Early in the second half Gills Ladies easily gave the ball away and LLFC took advantage and squared the ball across the box and finished to level the game at 2-2. Gills Ladies had a great chance to make it 3-2 when April Bowers played in Kallie Balfour, then mid way through the second half Madison North replaced Jade Keogh.
Late into the second half Kallie Balfour made it 3-2 with a shot that looped over the LLFC keeper and five minutes later Madison North scored a great individual goal by taking on two defenders and finishing in the bottom corner to take Gills Ladies lead to 4-2. Although the team let the game run away a bit at times they showed maturity by being patient, scoring goals and ensured through good defending that no further goals were conceded.
Opportunity to be a Gills Ladies match day mascot
The Kent Girls and Ladies League have joined forces with Gills Ladies to offer its clubs a unique opportunity to be match day mascots. All affiliated clubs within the Kent Girls and Ladies League are invited to apply for this unique opportunity to be Gills Ladies match day mascot.
A number of clubs have already taken up this great opportunity to be match day mascots, however, there is still availability. If you would like your team to have the chance to experience this fantastic opportunity, please contact Charlotte Richardson crichardson@priestfield.com.
White Ribbon Campaign
Gillingham FC, Chairman Paul Scally and Manager Justin Edinburgh are proud to be the first Football League Club to support and become Ambassadors for the White Ribbon Campaign. The charity encourages organisations and individuals to promote anti-violence against women and girls.
The home game on Saturday, October 3 will be dedicated to raising awareness of the cause and the Chairman has invited the Gills Ladies team to attend the game at Priestfield in support of the campaign and to help with the fundraising.
Gills Ladies Season Tickets
Since the start of the season there has only been two home games played, a Season Ticket is still great value and are available to purchase from the club’s ticket office at Gillingham FC, as well as at home match days and online via Season Ticket.
Season Tickets enable Gills Ladies fans to access all league home games and half price tickets for cup fixtures. Adult Season Tickets cost £25 (free entry for U16s).
Gills Ladies Next League Fixtures
The next league game for Gills Ladies is away to Bedford LFC on Sunday, October 25 (kick off 2pm) and the next home game is on Sunday, November 15 (kick off 2pm) against Old Actonians.
October Cup Fever for the Ladies
Gills Ladies have a number of cup fixtures during October:
• Travel to Southampton Saints LFC for the first round of the FA Womens Premier League Cup on Sunday, October 4 (kick off 2pm).
• Host AFC Wimbledon Ladies for the third qualifying round of the SSE Womens FA Cup on Sunday, October 11 at Chatham Town FC (kick off 2pm).
• Host Dartford Royals in the Kent FA Womens Cup at Chatham Town FC on Sunday, October 18 (kick off 2pm).
• Travel to Bury Ladies FC for the first round of the Ryman League Cup on Wednesday 21 October (kick off 7:45pm).
Tickets for all cup games are £3 for adults, £1.50 for season ticket holders and free entry for under 16s.
Girls Centre of Excellence
Our squads hosted Bristol Academy for an out of region fixture last Saturday, September 26 and we saw some excellent performances from the squads. This Saturday, October 3 the Centre will face MK Dons in another out of region fixture and a number of Gills Ladies players will be in attendance to provide support and encouragement to all the teams, good luck girls.
The draw has been held for The FA Girls’ U17s Youth Cup and we have been handed a home tie against Middlesex FA with the fixture due to be played on Saturday, November 7.
U17s Goalkeeper, Katie Startup met up with her England teammates on Sunday before flying out to Estonia on Monday for the UEFA Championship qualifiers. The squad will play fixtures against Croatia, Estonia and Poland and all at Gillingham FC wish Katie and the team the very best of luck.
The first of our Coaches Open Evenings was held on Monday, September 28 and was free to attend to all coaches and volunteers of grassroot clubs to attend and gave an insight into the Centre of Excellence programme. The next Open Evening will place on Wednesday November 4, for more information or if you would like to attend please contact Centre Manager, Georgia Bowie gbowie@priestfield.com or 01634 350125.
Female Football Development Programme
At Gillingham FC we are proud to be one of 55 clubs across the country who run the Football League Trust Female Football Development Programme. Female participation in Football has increased significantly in the last two years and we have seen over 30,000 women and girls start to play football with over 97% of the women and girls who have been introduced to football continuing to be involved.
This school term we are working with a number of schools throughout the week, including Brompton Academy, Simon Langton Girls Grammar School, Rochester Grammar School for Girls, Barton Court Grammar School and Mascalls Academy. The sessions vary in their content and delivery but all have a football and fitness theme, the number of those participating has been great at all the sessions and we have seen some fantastic enthusiasm from the pupils.