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Gillingham FC were founded as New Brompton FC in 1893.

The club soon acquired a plot of land on which to build a stadium and joined the Southern League, which they won at the first attempt.

Name change to Gillingham

In 1913 the club changed its name to Gillingham FC and in 1920 they became a member of the Football League, when the Southern League First Division was incorporated as the new Third Division.

In their first season, they finished bottom and had to apply for re-election. This was to become a pattern over the next years with the club regularly finishing near the foot of the table.

League Status Lost

In 1938, the club’s luck eventually ran out and they failed in their re-election bid and were replaced by Ipswich Town.

The "Gills" re-joined the Southern League, winning the championship in 1949.

Back in the League

In June 1950 it was decided to extend the two regional Third Divisions of the Football League, and the club were re-elected to the league.

However, there was no upturn in there form as they continued to struggle.

Division Four Champions

In 1964, they achieved their first success, lifting the Division Four title, and for the following two seasons, they came close to promotion to the Second Division.

1971 brought relegation, but in 1974 they were back in Division Three, and over the next ten years they established themselves as a strong Division Three side.

They reached the play-offs in 1987 but in 1989, they slipped back into Division Four.

Paul Scally Buys the Club

Beset with financial problems, the club went into administration in 1995, and were only saved when businessman Paul Scally bought the club.

In 1996 they won automatic promotion to Division Two (old Third Division) and in 2000 they reached Division One (old Second Division) where they remained until relegation in 2005.

In 2008, they were relegated to League Two, but bounced back the following season via the playoffs. The reprieve was short-lived - they were relegated again the following season.

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