1950–51 Gillingham F.C. season

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Gillingham
1950–51 season
ChairmanCharles Cox[1]
ManagerArchie Clark
Third Division South22nd
FA CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague: Dave Thomas (19)
All: Dave Thomas (21)
Highest home attendance20,128 vs Millwall (2 September 1950)
Lowest home attendance4,601 vs Exeter City (17 January 1951)
← 
1951–52
 →

During the

league table. In January and early February Gillingham climbed to 19th in the 24-team division after winning five times in six games, including a 9–4 victory over Exeter City
, a new record for the club's highest Football League score which would stand for more than 30 years. After this they won only once in ten matches; the team finished the season 22nd in the division.

Gillingham also competed in the FA Cup, reaching the second round. The team played 50 competitive matches, winning 14, drawing 11, and losing 25. Dave Thomas, who joined the club in October, finished the season as the team's top goalscorer; he scored 19 times in the Football League and twice in the FA Cup. Jimmy Boswell made the most appearances, playing 46 times. The highest attendance recorded at the club's home ground, Priestfield Stadium, was 20,128 for a league game against Millwall on 2 September.

Background and pre-season

league table three times. They finished in the bottom two on five occasions, requiring them to apply each time for re-election to the League.[2][3] The club's fifth application was unsuccessful; Ipswich Town of the regional Southern League received more votes than Gillingham from the Football League's other member clubs in the ballot following the 1937–38 season and thus secured election to the Third Division South.[4] Gillingham initially took Ipswich's place in the Southern League; when competitive football resumed after the Second World War, Gillingham played in the more localised Kent League for one season before returning to the Southern League and winning the championship twice in three seasons.[5] In 1950, the Football League opted to increase the membership of each of the two Third Divisions from 22 to 24 clubs; Gillingham applied for one of the new places in the Third Division South and received the highest number of votes among the applicants, thereby returning to the Football League after 12 years.[3][6] Chairman Charles Cox told the press "It has been an uphill struggle to get back. Thank God we've done it. We must never find ourselves in that position again."[7]

outside forward, moved from Southampton.[14] The team wore Gillingham's usual kit of blue shirts and white shorts.[10] Pre-season matches between Football League members were not permitted at the time, and clubs instead generally prepared for the season with a public trial match between two teams chosen from within their own squad of players;[15][16] Gillingham staged such a match one week before the start of the Football League season between teams designated the "Reds" and the "Blues".[17][18] Ahead of the new season additional terracing was erected at the club's home ground, Priestfield Stadium, to increase the stadium's capacity to 30,000.[19][20]

Third Division South

August–December

Football stadium The City Ground, Nottingham, pictured in the 1920s
In November, Gillingham conceded nine goals against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (pictured in the 1920s).

Gillingham's first match of the season was at home to the other newly elected club in the division, Colchester United; new signings Gage, Lewin, Ayres and Veck all made their debuts.[21] The game drew an attendance of 19,542, the largest crowd recorded at Priestfield since January 1948.[22] Colchester's Harry Bearryman twice cleared shots by Gillingham players off the goal-line after they had eluded his goalkeeper and another shot from the home team hit the cross-bar of the goal; the final score was 0–0.[23] Four days later, Veck scored Gillingham's first goal of the season to give his team the lead away to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, but the home team scored three times to win the game.[24] A defeat away to Bristol City and a draw at home to Bournemouth meant that at the end of August Gillingham had yet to win a game.[25] Jenkins made his debut in the home game against Bournemouth but did not play again for nearly three months.[21][26]

On 2 September, Gillingham won 4–3 at home to

centre-forward newly signed from Watford,[32] made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.[33] He scored his first goal for Gillingham in the final game of October, a 2–2 draw at home to Norwich City.[21]

Gillingham began November with a 4–1 defeat away to

goal average.[38][39] Despite having only joined the club in October, Thomas was the team's leading Football League scorer, with eight goals in twelve games.[21]

January–May

Football stadium Plainmoor, pictured in the 1980s
In April, Gillingham won their first away league game for two months at Torquay United's Plainmoor ground (pictured in the early 1980s).

Gillingham's first match of 1951 was at home to Watford on 13 January; the away team took an early lead but Gillingham came back to win the game 3–1.[21][40] Four days later, Gillingham played at home to Exeter City; the attendance of 4,601 was the lowest of the season at Priestfield Stadium, due in large part to the game, which had been postponed earlier in the season, being rescheduled for a Wednesday afternoon.[21][41] Gillingham took a 5–2 lead in the first half and added four more goals in the second half as the game finished 9–4.[42] A report in the Birmingham Gazette noted that both teams' defences had been "over-run by fast-moving forwards".[43] It was the highest number of goals Gillingham had scored in a Football League match, surpassing the previous record of six,[44] and remained the club's highest league score until 1987.[42] The team were 23rd in the table at the end of the month.[45]

A goal from Veck gave Gillingham a 1–0 win at home to Leyton Orient in the first game of February,[46] and the team followed this up with wins away to Exeter and at home to Torquay United; it was the first time Gillingham had won three consecutive games during the season and took the team up to 19th in the table.[21][47] Following this run, they achieved only one victory in their next ten games.[21] On 17 February, they lost 5–1 away to Ipswich Town;[48] a week later they drew 0–0 with Crystal Palace but forward Charlie Burtenshaw suffered a broken leg which kept him out of the team for over a year.[49][50] Thomas scored twice as Gillingham drew with Brighton & Hove Albion on 3 March, but the team failed to score any goals in their next three games, after which they were 21st in the table.[21][51] On 24 March, they beat Northampton Town, their first victory for six weeks, but then lost away to both Southend United and Port Vale.[21] Forward Billy Hales made his Football League debut in the game against Port Vale and scored Gillingham's fourth hat-trick of the season; as of 2023 he remained the only player to score three goals on his Football League debut for the club.[52][53]

Gillingham began April with a third consecutive defeat, losing 4–1 at home to Nottingham Forest, for whom Wally Ardron scored a hat-trick before half-time.[54] Veteran goalkeeper Johnny Burke, a regular starter for Gillingham in the Southern League, replaced Gage for the next game, a 2–1 victory away to Torquay United. Aged 39, it was his first Football League appearance since the 1946–47 season.[55] He played in five of the last six games of the season and set a record for the oldest player to represent the club in the Football League which stood for over 50 years;[56][57] Jack Day, another goalkeeper who had been with the club in the Southern League but had been kept out of the team by Gage, played against Aldershot on 21 April.[58] Gillingham alternated victory and defeat in their final six games of the season; Hales scored twice in a 2–1 win over Swindon Town in the penultimate match to take his record to six goals in seven games.[21][59] Gillingham ended the season with a 2–1 defeat at home to Plymouth Argyle,[60] leaving them 22nd in the Third Division South, six points above the bottom two teams, who were required to apply for re-election to the Football League.[2]

League match details

Key
Results[21]
Date Opponents Result Goalscorers Attendance
19 August 1950 Colchester United (H) 0–0 19,542
23 August 1950
Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic
(A)
1–3 Veck 16,070
26 August 1950 Bristol City (A) 0–2 19,725
30 August 1950
Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic
(H)
2–2 Veck (pen.), Russell 15,397
2 September 1950 Millwall (H) 4–3 Russell, Veck, Briggs, C. Burtenshaw 20,128
4 September 1950 Bristol Rovers (A) 0–3 14,519
9 September 1950 Watford (A) 0–5 10,213
13 September 1950 Bristol Rovers (H) 1–0 Veck (pen.) 12,293
16 September 1950 Walsall (H) 4–1 Lewis (3), Campbell 14,628
23 September 1950 Leyton Orient (A) 0–4 16,005
30 September 1950 Ipswich Town (H) 0–1 12,853
7 October 1950 Crystal Palace (A) 3–4 Veck, Briggs (o.g.), Marks 18,954
14 October 1950 Brighton & Hove Albion (H) 1–1 Forrester 15,060
21 October 1950
Newport County
(A)
0–1 9,828
28 October 1950 Norwich City (H) 2–2 Thomas, Veck (pen.) 14,348
4 November 1950 Northampton Town (A) 1–4 Carr 10,785
11 November 1950 Port Vale (H) 1–1 Thomas 12,103
18 November 1950 Nottingham Forest (A) 2–9 Veck, Thomas 20,551
2 December 1950 Aldershot (A) 4–2 Thomas (3), Carr 7,253
16 December 1950 Colchester United (A) 2–4 Briggs, Thomas 6,941
23 December 1950 Bristol City (H) 1–2 B. Burtenshaw 8,575
25 December 1950 Reading (H) 0–3 9,539
26 December 1950 Reading (A) 1–1 B. Burtenshaw 17,401
30 December 1950 Millwall (A) 3–4 Thomas, C. Burtenshaw, Lewis 20,530
13 January 1951 Watford (H) 3–1 Thomas, Eggleston (o.g.), Veck 10,038
17 January 1951 Exeter City (H) 9–4 Lewis (3), Thomas (2), McGuire (2), Veck, Doyle (o.g.) 4,601
20 January 1951 Walsall (A) 1–2 Lewis 8,817
3 February 1951 Leyton Orient (H) 1–0 Veck 8,358
7 February 1951 Exeter City (A) 2–1 Campbell, Thomas 5,140
10 February 1951 Torquay United (H) 2–0 Veck (pen.), C. Burtenshaw 12,995
17 February 1951 Ipswich Town (A) 1–5 C. Burtenshaw 9,676
24 February 1951 Crystal Palace (H) 0–0 11,478
3 March 1951 Brighton & Hove Albion (A) 2–2 Thomas (2) 10,588
10 March 1951
Newport County
(H)
0–1 9,050
17 March 1951 Norwich City (A) 0–2 18,943
23 March 1951 Southend United (H) 0–0 15,356
24 March 1951 Northampton Town (H) 3–1 Veck, Lewis, Thomas 10,657
26 March 1951 Southend United (A) 0–4 14,500
31 March 1951 Port Vale (A) 3–4 Hales (3) 5,400
7 April 1951 Nottingham Forest (H) 1–4 Thomas 13,845
14 April 1951 Torquay United (A) 2–1 Thomas (2) 6,605
18 April 1951 Plymouth Argyle (A) 0–2 11,313
21 April 1951 Aldershot (H) 3–0 B. Burtenshaw, Hales, Thomas 10,492
28 April 1951 Swindon Town (A) 0–2 3,915
2 May 1951 Swindon Town (H) 2–1 Hales (2, 1 pen.) 8,285
5 May 1951 Plymouth Argyle (H) 1–2 B. Burtenshaw 12,096

Partial league table

Football League Third Division South final table, bottom positions[61]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
21 Northampton Town 46 10 16 20 55 67 0.821 36
22 Gillingham 46 13 9 24 69 101 0.683 35
23 Watford 46 9 11 26 54 88 0.614 29 Required to apply for re-election
24 Crystal Palace 46 8 11 27 33 84 0.393 27

Cup matches

FA Cup

White Hart Lane football stadium
Gillingham were eliminated from the FA Cup at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane ground (pictured in 1991).

As a Third Division South club, Gillingham entered the 1950–51 FA Cup in the first round; their opponents were Linby Colliery of the Central Alliance, a semi-professional team including several players employed at the eponymous mining facility. Linby had won through six qualifying rounds to reach this stage of the competition, the only team to do so. Gillingham took a four-goal lead in the first half and, although they conceded a goal in the second half, held on for a 4–1 victory.[62][63]

In the second round, Gillingham played away to fellow Third Division South club Bristol Rovers. Thomas gave Gillingham the lead before Rovers scored twice; a late goal from Jackie Carr meant that the game ended in a draw and a replay was required.[64] Four days later at Priestfield, Rovers took the lead but Carr scored to ensure another draw.[65] Under the rules of the competition the second replay took place at a neutral venue. At Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane ground, Gillingham took the lead with a goal from Lewis but Rovers scored twice to win the game and eliminate Gillingham from the competition.[66]

FA Cup match details

Key
Results[21]
Date Round Opponents Result Goalscorers Attendance
25 November 1950 First Linby Colliery (A) 4–1 Thomas, C.Burtenshaw, B.Burtenshaw, Jenkins 4,635
9 December 1950 Second Bristol Rovers (A) 2–2 Thomas, Carr 15,479
13 December 1950 Second (replay) Bristol Rovers (H) 1–1 (
a.e.t.
)
Carr 10,642
18 December 1950 Second (second replay) Bristol Rovers (N) 1–2 Lewis 3,927

Players

During the season, 27 players made at least one appearance for Gillingham. Jimmy Boswell made the most, playing in 42 league games and all four FA Cup matches. Charlie Marks made more league appearances, playing 44 times, but did not feature in any of the FA Cup games. Day made the fewest appearances, playing only once. The game proved to be the only Football League appearance of his career.[67] Thomas was the team's leading scorer with 21 goals in total; Veck and Lewis both also reached double figures.[21]

Player statistics[21]
Player Position
Third Division South
FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Harry Ayres HB 34 0 4 0 38 0
Jimmy Boswell HB 42 0 4 0 46 0
Jackie Briggs FW 14 2 0 0 14 2
Johnny Burke GK 5 0 0 0 5 0
Bill Burtenshaw FW 24 4 4 1 28 5
Charlie Burtenshaw FW 26 4 4 1 30 5
Joe Campbell FW 12 2 0 0 12 2
Jackie Carr FW 11 2 3 2 14 4
Bill Collins HB 13 0 0 0 13 0
Jack Day GK 1 0 0 0 1 0
George Dorling FB 10 0 4 0 14 0
George Forrester FW 18 1 0 0 18 1
Larry Gage GK 40 0 4 0 44 0
Billy Hales FW 8 6 0 0 8 6
Len Henson HB 6 0 0 0 6 0
Randolph Jenkins FW 2 0 3 1 5 1
Tommy Kingsnorth HB 28 0 0 0 28 0
Ron Lewin FB 38 0 4 0 42 0
Derek Lewis FW 20 9 1 1 21 10
Charlie Marks FB 44 1 0 0 44 1
Les McGuire FW 5 2 0 0 5 2
George Piper HB 4 0 0 0 4 0
Hughie Russell FW 21 2 0 0 21 2
Mike Skivington HB 8 0 4 0 12 0
Dave Thomas FW 34 19 4 2 38 21
Bobby Veck FW 36 12 1 0 37 12
Johnny Warsap FW 2 0 0 0 2 0

FW = Forward, HB = Half-back, GK = Goalkeeper, FB = Full-back

Aftermath

Gillingham's first season back in the Football League was not a success in financial terms; transfer fees and increased wages meant that the club registered a loss of £12,483 (equivalent to £417,100 in 2021).[41] There was once again significant turnover of the club's playing staff at the end of the season. Veteran goalkeeper Burke opted to retire from football.[55] Veck, the team's second-highest goalscorer, was offered a new contract with the club but rejected it and signed for Chelmsford City of the Southern League.[14] Gage, Carr, George Piper and Joe Campbell also left to join Southern League clubs.[68] Skivington was signed by Brentford of the Football League Second Division but did not play a game for them before moving on.[13][69] Gillingham continued to struggle in the Third Division South, finishing in the bottom four in both of the following two seasons.[2]

References

  1. ^ Bradley & Triggs 1994, p. 392.
  2. ^ a b c Soar & Tyler 1983, p. 110.
  3. ^ a b Mitchell, Reeves & Tyler 2013, p. 140.
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  5. ^ Rollin 1990, p. 253.
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  7. ^ Elligate 2009, p. 101.
  8. ^ Elligate 2009, p. 180.
  9. ^ Official Handbook 1950–51. Gillingham F.C. 1951.
  10. ^ a b c Bradley & Triggs 1994, p. 140.
  11. ^ Triggs 2001, pp. 47, 127, 173, 194.
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  14. ^ a b Triggs 2001, p. 323.
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  22. ^ Brown 2003, pp. 57–60.
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  25. ^ "Division Three (South) Table After Close of Play on 31 August 1950". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  26. ^ Triggs 2001, p. 173.
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  29. ^ "Division Three (South) Table After Close of Play on 9 September 1950". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
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  31. ^ Elligate 2009, p. 145.
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  33. ^ Triggs 2001, p. 316.
  34. ^ "Division Three (South) Table After Close of Play on 4 November 1950". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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  36. ^ Elligate 2009, p. 176.
  37. ^ Elligate 2009, p. 187.
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  39. ^ "Division Three (South) Table After Close of Play on 31 December 1950". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
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  53. ^ Elligate (2009), p.56 states that Hales remained the only player to score three goals on his Football League debut for Gillingham. As of 2023, Gillingham players have scored five EFL hat-tricks since 2009, none on the player's debut:
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  55. ^ a b Triggs 2001, p. 75.
  56. ^ Triggs 2001, p. 351.
  57. ^ Elligate 2009, p. 80.
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  61. ^ Soar & Tyler 1983, p. 214.
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  63. ^ "Results Archive – Emirates FA Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 20 January 2023. Select "1950/1951" on the "Season" dropdown.
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  67. ^ Hugman 2005, p. 221.
  68. ^ Triggs 2001, pp. 80, 81, 127, 256.
  69. ^ Hugman 2005, p. 779.

Works cited