1939–40 Gillingham F.C. season
| 1939–40 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Jack Knight | |
| Manager | Archie Clark | |
| Southern League Division One | Season abandoned | |
|
| ||
At the start of the
Second World War
; following two months of inactivity, Gillingham joined the Kent Regional League, competing against mostly minor local teams. This competition was also abandoned without being completed and Gillingham did not play another competitive match for four years.
Background and pre-season
After playing in the
1938–39 season.[4] Gillingham applied to re-join the Football League at the first opportunity, but the application was rejected.[5]
In August, Gillingham appointed former
player-manager, replacing Bill Harvey in the managerial role.[6]
Southern League Division One
Gillingham's first game of the season was away to
Tunbridge Wells Rangers
and resulted in a 2–0 victory.
On 1 August, Gillingham lost 1–0 away to
Second World War
was declared on the same day and the Southern League season was quickly abandoned.
Southern League match details
- Key
|
|
- Results[7]
| Date | Opponents | Result | Goalscorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 August 1939 | Tunbridge Wells Rangers (A)
|
2–0 | Wilson, Rowley | not recorded |
| 30 August 1939 | Newport County reserves (H)
|
4–3 | Rowley (3), Scott | not recorded |
| 1 September 1939 | Worcester City (A) | 0–1 | not recorded |
Kent Regional League (Eastern Group)
After the suspension of major competitions, a number of temporary leagues were formed; due to government-imposed travel restrictions, these competitions were organised on a localised basis. Gillingham joined the Kent Regional League (Eastern Group) with other teams from the eastern part of the county of
Tunbridge Wells Rangers were the only other Southern League team to join, but they subsequently withdrew. The other clubs had all begun the season in the lower-level Kent League with the exception of Shorts Sports, who were a works team from Rochester
. Gillingham's first match for two months took place on 2 November away to Margate and resulted in a 1–1 draw.
Kent Regional League match details
- Key
|
|
- Results[7]
| Date | Opponents | Result | Goalscorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 November 1939 | Margate (A) | 1–1 | Hickson | not recorded |
| 18 November 1939 | Lloyds Paper Mills (H) | 4–0 | Day (2), Campbell, Herbert | not recorded |
| 25 November 1939 | Canterbury Waverley (A) | 7–4 | Scott (2), Walsh (2), Hickson, Lee, Piper | not recorded |
| 2 December 1939 | Dover (H) | 5–2 | Walsh (3), Fowler, Lee | not recorded |
| 9 December 1939 | Sittingbourne (A) | 5–1 | Hickson (2), Walsh (2), Herbert | not recorded |
| 16 December 1939 | Margate (H) | 10–0 | Hickson (5), Herbert (2), Campbell, Lee, Walsh (pen.) | not recorded |
| 26 December 1939 | Maidstone United (H) | 5–1 | Herbert (2), Lee (2), Golding | not recorded |
| 6 January 1940 | Canterbury Waverley (H) | 3–0 | Wilson (pen.), Lee, Hickson | not recorded |
| 17 February 1940 | Shorts Sports (H) | 4–3 | Jackson (2), Lee, Hickson | not recorded |
| 24 February 1940 | Aylesford Paper Mills (H)
|
7–2 | Lee (3), Keenan (2), Wilson, Herbert (pen.) | not recorded |
| 9 March 1940 | Dover (A) | 5–3 | Wilson (2), Herbert, Hickson, Lee | not recorded |
| 16 March 1940 | Ramsgate Grenville (H) | 3–3 | Herbert (2), Lee | not recorded |
| 22 March 1940 | Ashford Town (A) | 3–4 | Hickson (2), Herbert | not recorded |
| 23 March 1940 | Ashford Town (H) | 6–3 | Herbert (3, 2 pens.), Lee, Golding, Hickson | not recorded |
| 6 April 1940 | Aylesford Paper Mills (A)
|
3–1 | Hickson (2), Lee | not recorded |
| 10 April 1940 | Shorts Sports (A) | 0–2 | not recorded | |
| 20 April 1940 | Lloyds Paper Mills (A) | 7–2 | Hickson (4), Batchelor (2), Herbert | not recorded |
| 27 April 1940 | Sittingbourne (H) | 6–0 | Wilson (3), Bryant (2), Batchelor | not recorded |
| 1 May 1940 | Maidstone United (A) | 7–0 | Hickson (3), Lee (3), Wood | not recorded |
Aftermath
The Kent Regional League season was abandoned with a number of games unplayed. Gillingham effectively ceased operations and did not play another competitive match until 1944.[7]
References
- ^ Soar & Tyler 1983, p. 110.
- ^ Mitchell, Reeves & Tyler 2013, p. 140.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ Brown 2003, p. 52.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ Elligate 2009, p. 120.
- ^ a b c Brown 2003, p. 53.
Works cited
- Brown, Tony (2003). The Definitive Gillingham F.C.: A Complete Record. Soccerdata. ISBN 978-1-8994-6820-1.
- Elligate, David (2009). Gillingham FC On This Day. Pitch Publishing. ISBN 978-1-9054-1145-0.
- Mitchell, Colin; Reeves, Jon; Tyler, Daniel (2013). The History of English Football Clubs. ISBN 978-1-78009-449-6.
- Soar, Phil; Tyler, Martin (1983). Encyclopedia of British Football. ISBN 978-0-0021-8049-8.