:1924–25 Gillingham F.C. season

The 1924–25 season was Gillingham's fifth season playing in the Football League. The club had been one of the founder members of the Third Division in 1920. A year later, the division was re-branded the Third Division South when a parallel Third Division North was created.{{sfn|Soar|Tyler|1983|p=110}} Gillingham had finished in 22nd and last place in the league table at the end of their first season in the division,{{sfn|Soar|Tyler|1983|p=189}} but improved their final position each season since;{{sfn|Soar|Tyler|1983|pp=190–192}} in the 1923–24 season, they had finished in 15th place.{{sfn|Soar|Tyler|1983|p=193}}

Harry Curtis was the team's manager for a second season.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=84}} He was the first Gillingham manager to be given full control of all team-related affairs; previously some of these matters had come under the remit of the club's secretary.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=100}} The club also employed a Mr Kane as trainer.{{sfn|Triggs|1999|p=36}} Gillingham signed a number of new players prior to the season, including four forwards: Frank Marshall and Thomas Wilkinson joined the club from the Scottish teams Shettleston and Maryhill respectively, and Fred Brown and George Chance were signed from fellow Third Division South clubs Brighton & Hove Albion and Bristol Rovers respectively.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/166577297| page = 5| work = Western Evening Herald and Western Evening News| access-date = 24 February 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Gillingham's new men| date = 27 August 1924}} Two new half-backs also joined the club: Albert Hook from fellow Kent-based club Maidstone United and Charles Davis from Liverpool. The team wore Gillingham's usual kit of black and white striped shirts with white shorts and black socks.{{sfn|Triggs|1999|p=36}} At the time, pre-season friendlies between Football League teams were not permitted, and clubs instead generally prepared for the season with a public trial match between two teams chosen from within their own squad of players.{{sfn|Triggs|1999|p=48}} Gillingham staged such a match a week before the start of the season and Wilkinson and Brown each scored two goals as the "Probables" beat the "Possibles".{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/167721834| page = 8| work = Sunday Dispatch| access-date =11 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Football trials| date = 24 August 1924}}

File:Tommy Hall Pinnace cigarette card 1922.jpg was the only player to score for Gillingham in the first seven games of the season.]]

Gillingham's first match of the season was away to Luton Town on 30 August;{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} Marshall, Davis, Hook, Chance, Brown and Wilkinson all made their club debuts{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 34}} in a match which was played in heavy rain and ended in a goalless draw.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/166718777| page = 11| work = Sunday Mercury| access-date = 26 February 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =The League: Div. III| date = 31 August 1924}} Four days later, the team played their first game of the season at their home ground, Priestfield Road;{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} a goal from Tommy Hall gave Gillingham a 1–0 victory over Brentford.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} The Daily Telegraph wrote that Gillingham could have scored more goals but that their forwards "lost many opportunities owing to over-eagerness".{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/167190673| page = 14| work = The Daily Telegraph| access-date = 4 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =London sides fail to win| date = 4 September 1924}} The victory was followed by a run of eight games without a win.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} Gillingham drew 0–0 at home to Watford on 6 September, again missing many goalscoring chances; the Athletic News said that if they had "won by three clear goals little surprise could have been felt".{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19240908/031/0003|title=Watford lucky|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=8 September 1924|accessdate=12 March 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} Gillingham played Brentford again on 8 September; Hall gave them the lead but Brentford scored twice to win. Gillingham finished the game with only ten players after Hook was injured.{{ref label|subs|a|}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004848/19240909/317/0009|title=Gillingham's pluck|work=Daily Express|page=9|date=9 September 1924|accessdate=13 March 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} Following a goalless draw at home to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Gillingham lost 2–0 away to Brighton & Hove Albion and 3–0 at home to Plymouth Argyle.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} At the end of September, Gillingham were in 22nd and last place in the Third Division South league table;{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/30-September-1924/|title=Division Three (South) table after close of play on 30 September 1924|work=11v11|publisher=Association of Football Statisticians|accessdate=7 March 2025}} they had won only once in seven matches and recorded only two goals, both scored by Hall.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}}

Gillingham's winless run continued in the first game of October with a 2–1 defeat away to Bristol City.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} The home team scored the winning goal in the final ten minutes; Freddie Fox, Gillingham's goalkeeper, appeared to have kept the ball out of the goal but, after being confronted by the Bristol City players in what the Western Daily Press called a "most discreditable scene", the referee consulted both linesmen and ruled that it had in fact crossed the goal line.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/167943678| page = 8| work = Western Daily Press| access-date = 14 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Bristol City win by a disputed goal| date = 6 October 1924}} A week later, Gillingham played Swindon Town; the Athletic News reported that "better football has seldom been seen played by Gillingham than during the opening half", but after leading at half-time Gillingham had to settle for a 1–1 draw.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19241013/038/0003|title=Gillingham improve|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=11 October 1924|accessdate=14 March 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} After a 2–1 defeat to Aberdare Athletic, Gillingham ended their winless run by beating Millwall 1–0 on 22 October with a goal from Hall.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}}{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/168224990| page = 10| work = Daily Herald| access-date = 17 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Millwall beaten| date = 23 October 1924}} Gillingham lost 1–0 away to Northampton Town on 25 October, despite Fox saving a penalty kick,{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/168372335| page = 13| work = Sunday Mercury| access-date = 19 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Northampton 1, Gillingham 0| date = 26 October 1924}} but began November by beating Charlton Athletic 2–0 at Priestfield Road.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/168372612| page = 10| work = Sunday Dispatch| access-date = 19 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Gillingham 2, Charlton 0| date = 2 November 1924}} Brown scored both goals, the first time during the season that a Gillingham player had scored more than once in a game.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} It was the first in a run of five consecutive league games without defeat for the team.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} A goal from Hall secured a 1–1 draw with fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers on 8 November,{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/168373140| page = 11| work = Sunday Mercury| access-date = 19 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Queens Park R 1, Gillingham 1| date = 9 November 1924}} after which Gillingham were in 19th place in the league table.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/08-November-1924/|title=Division Three (South) table after close of play on 8 November 1924|work=11v11|publisher=Association of Football Statisticians|accessdate=19 March 2025}}

On 15 November, Gillingham extended their unbeaten run to three games with a 2–1 victory over Merthyr Town.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} Brown and Marshall scored in the second half, although the Athletic News reported that Gillingham would have scored at least three times before half-time if their forwards had not "missed some easy chances".{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19241117/032/0003|title=Gillingham's win|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=17 November 1924|accessdate=24 March 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} After a 1–0 victory away to Reading on 22 November, Gillingham were in 15th place.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/168876297| page = 10| work = Daily Herald| access-date = 26 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Reading subdued| date = 24 November 1924}}{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/22-November-1924/|title=Division Three (South) table after close of play on 22 November 1924|work=11v11|publisher=Association of Football Statisticians|accessdate=26 March 2025}} On 6 December, Gillingham conceded two early goals against Exeter City but Brown and Bill Berry scored to bring the scores level by half-time. Gillingham took the lead after the interval but Exeter scored again and the game ended in a 3–3 draw.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19241208/051/0003|title=Exeter's reserves|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=8 December 1924|accessdate=27 March 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} The team's unbeaten run came to an end with a 2–0 defeat away to Newport County on 20 December.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169406340| page = 11| work = Sunday Mercury| access-date = 2 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Newport C. 2, Gillingham 0| date = 21 December 1924}} Beginning on 25 December, Gillingham played three games on consecutive days.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} On Christmas Day, they beat Southend United 3–1 at Priestfield Road, but a day later they lost 4–0 to the same opponents at the Kursaal in Southend.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}}{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/168976685| page = 8| work = Daily Herald| access-date = 27 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Southend shine| date = 27 December 1924}} On 27 December, Gillingham won 4–1 at home to Luton Town; Len Ramsell scored twice, his only goals of the season.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} The Sunday Dispatch wrote that "the playing conditions were wretched" due to high winds; as a result no half-time break was taken.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/168977053| page = 10| work = Sunday Dispatch| access-date = 27 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Gillingham 4, Luton Town 1| date = 28 December 1924}} At the end of 1924, Gillingham were in 15th place in the Third Division South league table.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/31-December-1924/|title=Division Three (South) table after close of play on 31 December 1924|work=11v11|publisher=Association of Football Statisticians|accessdate=24 February 2025}}

File:FreddieFoxPinnaceCard.jpg conceded a goal in unusual circumstances in the first game of February.]]

Gillingham's first match of 1925 was away to Watford.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} Berry gave Gillingham an early lead but Watford equalised shortly after half-time.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/168978888| page = 10| work = Daily Herald| access-date = 27 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Defeated at home| date = 5 January 1925}} Brown scored a second goal for Gillingham and Fox made a late save to preserve his team's 2–1 lead. The victory took Gillingham up to 14th place in the table,{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/03-January-1925/|title=Division Three (South) table after close of play on 03 January 1925|work=11v11|publisher=Association of Football Statisticians|accessdate=28 March 2025}} but they fell back to 15th after a 3–0 defeat to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/17-January-1925/|title=Division Three (South) table after close of play on 17 January 1925|work=11v11|publisher=Association of Football Statisticians|accessdate=28 March 2025}} Although prior to the game Bournemouth had not won at home for nearly three months, the Athletic News reported that "the margin of three clear goals in no way flatter[ed] them".{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19250119/039/0003|title=Boscombe revival|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=19 January 1925|accessdate=28 March 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} Gillingham secured their third victory in four league games with a 2–0 defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion on 24 January.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} Chance, who had scored only once in more than 20 games since joining Gillingham,{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} scored both goals; Hall had three shots which hit the goalposts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19250126/043/0003|title=Well beaten|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=26 January 1925|accessdate=28 March 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} Gillingham's final game of January ended in a 2–0 defeat to 4th-placed Plymouth Argyle.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169398526| page = 2| work = Western Morning News| access-date = 2 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Gillingham fall at Plymouth| date = 2 February 1925}}{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/30-January-1925/|title=Division Three (South) table after close of play on 30 January 1925|work=11v11|publisher=Association of Football Statisticians|accessdate=2 April 2025}} In the first two games of February, Gillingham drew with both of the division's teams from the city of Bristol.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} Chance scored again to secure a 1–1 draw at home to Bristol City on 7 February after Fox had conceded a goal when a cross-field kick by a City player was caught by a strong wind and swerved past him;{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19250209/054/0003|title=Well-deserved point|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=9 February 1925|accessdate=2 April 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} four days later Gillingham drew 0–0 with Bristol Rovers in a game affected by high winds.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169402632| page = 5| work = Western Daily Press| access-date = 2 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Rovers bag a point| date = 12 February 1925}} Gillingham lost 2–0 to Swindon Town on 14 February in a game in which both teams played well despite very muddy conditions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19250216/049/0003|title=Davies the raider|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=16 February 1925|accessdate=28 March 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}}

Following a 2–0 victory over Aberdare Athletic at Priestfield Road on 21 February,{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169042655| page = 10| work = Sunday Dispatch| access-date = 28 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Gillingham 2, Aberdare A. 0| date = 22 February 1925}} in which Brown scored what would prove to be his final goal of the season,{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} Gillingham began a run of seven games in which they scored only one goal.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} In the final match of February, they lost 1–0 at home to Northampton Town, after Fox slipped over and allowed a soft shot on goal to get past him. The Athletic News noted that in the closing stages "the Northampton defence was often in difficulty, but the ball could not be forced into the net".{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19250302/063/0003|title=Gillingham unlucky|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=2 March 1925|accessdate=28 March 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} Gillingham lost 2–0 away to Charlton Athletic on 7 March,{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169411205| page = 15| work = The Daily Telegraph| access-date = 2 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Swansea Town's advantage| date = 9 March 1925}} but then beat Queens Park Rangers 1–0 at Priestfield Road a week later.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169411347| page = 10| work = Daily Herald| access-date = 2 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Won by one| date = 16 March 1925}} Harold Crockford, a forward who had made his debut against Charlton after joining Gillingham from Chesterfield,{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=14}} scored the winner against Queens Park Rangers, but it would prove to be his only Football League goal for Gillingham.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=14}} The team's next three games all ended in goalless draws.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} On 18 March, Gillingham secured a 0–0 draw against Swansea Town,{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169410723| page = 2| work = Western Morning News| access-date = 2 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Swansea draw| date = 19 March 1925}} who were in 2nd place in the league table going into the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/17-March-1925/|title=Division Three (South) table after close of play on 17 March 1925|work=11v11|publisher=Association of Football Statisticians|accessdate=2 April 2025}} The result was the same away to Merthyr Town and at home to Reading;{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169424951| page = 11| work = Sunday Mercury| access-date = 2 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Merthyr T. 0, Gillingham 0| date = 22 March 1925}} the Athletic News reported that in the latter match Arthur Sykes, deputising for Fox in goal, only handled the ball three times in the entire game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19250330/044/0003|title=Forward frailty at Gillingham|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=30 March 1925|accessdate=2 April 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} At the end of March, Gillingham were in 12th place in the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/31-March-1925/|title=Division Three (South) table after close of play on 31 March 1925|work=11v11|publisher=Association of Football Statisticians|accessdate=31 March 2025}}

In their first match of April, Gillingham lost 2–0 to Swansea Town, who were chasing the divisional championship and were dominant even with four reserve players in the team due to injuries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19250406/044/0003|title=Swansea succeed|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=6 April 1925|accessdate=1 April 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} Gillingham ended their four-match goalless run with a 3–1 victory over Norwich City on 10 April; Joe Craddock debuted in the forward line after impressing with his performances for the club's reserve team.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=14}}{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169251564| page = 8| work = Daily Herald| access-date = 31 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Gillingham's rally| date = 11 April 1925}} After Norwich led at half-time, Marshall scored twice for Gillingham and Berry added a third. After the victory, Gillingham drew three consecutive games for the second time in 1925.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} The run began one day after the match against Norwich, as Marshall scored a late equaliser after Gillingham had fallen behind to Exeter City;{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169410171| page = 2| work = Western Morning News| access-date = 2 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Another point for Exeter| date = 13 April 1925}} the next two games resulted in goalless draws with Norwich City and Bristol Rovers.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169427219| page = 2| work = Devon and Exeter Gazette| access-date = 2 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Norwich City, 0 : Gillingham, 0| date = 14 April 1925}} The Athletic News reported that the quality of play in the latter game was so poor that many spectators left before the end.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19250420/040/0003|title=Bristol Rovers disappoint|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=20 April 1925|accessdate=2 April 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} In the penultimate game of the season, Craddock scored his first Football League goal to give Gillingham a 1–0 victory at home to Newport County.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}}{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169411843| page = 10| work = Daily Herald| access-date = 2 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =County down| date = 27 April 1925}} Gillingham's five-match unbeaten run came to an end with a 2–0 defeat away to Millwall in the final game of the season;{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} both goals were scored in the final ten minutes of the game.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169324566| page = 20| work = The People| access-date =1 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Millwall just win| date = 3 May 1925}} Gillingham finished the season in 13th place in the league table, meaning that they had improved their final position for a fourth consecutive season.{{sfn|Soar|Tyler|1983|p=194}}

;Key

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• In the result column, Gillingham's score is shown first
• H = Home match
• A = Away match

{{col-2}}

• pen. = Penalty kick

{{col-end}}

;Results{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}}{{ref label|10Apr|b|}}

{{main|1924–25 Football League#Third Division South}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL|

|float=left

|teamwidth=auto

|title=Football League Third Division South final table, positions 11 to 15

|use_goal_average=yes|winpoints=2

|highest_pos=11

|team11=EXE|name_EXE=Watford

|team12=REA|name_REA=Norwich City

|team13=GIL|name_GIL=Gillingham

|team14=BRE|name_BRE=Reading

|team15=CHA|name_CHA=Charlton Athletic

|win_EXE=17|draw_EXE=9|loss_EXE=16|gf_EXE=38|ga_EXE=47

|win_REA=14|draw_REA=13|loss_REA=15|gf_REA=53|ga_REA=51

|win_GIL=13|draw_GIL=14|loss_GIL=15|gf_GIL=35|ga_GIL=44

|win_BRE=14|draw_BRE=10|loss_BRE=18|gf_BRE=37|ga_BRE=38

|win_CHA=13|draw_CHA=12|loss_CHA=17|gf_CHA=46|ga_CHA=48

|update=complete|title_source={{sfn|Soar|Tyler|1983|p=194}}

}}

{{-}}

File:GillsBarrow1924.jpg published a cartoon lamenting the bad weather conditions during the third replay between Gillingham and Barrow.]]

Gillingham entered the 1924–25 FA Cup in the fifth qualifying round{{sfn|Collett|2003|p=307}} and were drawn to play Kettering Town of the Southern League.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/169397445| page = 16| work = Leicester Mercury| access-date = 2 April 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Southern League| date = 24 November 1924}} The match took place at Rockingham Road, Kettering's home ground, and ended in a 1–1 draw, meaning that a replay at Priestfield Road was required.{{sfn|Collett|2003|p=307}} In the second match, Gillingham scored four goals in the first half and went on to win 6–2, despite having to play with only ten men for much of the second half after Davis was injured.{{ref label|subs|a|}}{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/167253282| page = 2| work = Western Morning News| access-date = 5 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Gillingham qualify| date = 4 December 1924}}

In the sixth and final qualifying round, Gillingham played Barrow of the Football League Third Division North{{sfn|Soar|Tyler|1983|p=193}} at Priestfield Road. A game in which both teams' defences were dominant ended in a 0–0 draw.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19241215/042/0003|title=Barrow's reward|work=Athletic News|page=3|date=15 December 1924|accessdate=6 March 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} Barrow took the lead in the replay at their home ground, Holker Street, but Norman Jones scored an equaliser for Gillingham; unlike in the first match, scores being level at the end of the regulation 90 minutes meant that 30 minutes of extra time were played, but no further goals were scored.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/167739355| page = 16| work = The Daily Telegraph| access-date = 11 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Barrow and Gillingham draw| date = 19 December 1924}} The second replay took place at a neutral venue, Molineux Stadium, the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Syd Smith gave Gillingham the lead but Barrow equalised; extra time was again played but once again the match finished with scores level.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/167810346| page = 8| work = Birmingham Gazette| access-date = 12 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Another draw!| date = 23 December 1924}}

The third replay took place at Arsenal Stadium in London on 30 December and was played in heavy rain; the Birmingham Gazette reported that the pitch was "scarcely fit for play" and that "mud and slush reduced everything down to a game of chance".{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/167870372| page = 8| work = Birmingham Gazette| access-date = 13 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Inseparable companions| date = 31 December 1924}} Barrow took the lead from a penalty kick but Hall equalised for Gillingham and the game ended in another draw, setting up a fourth replay. The two teams thus equalled the record for the greatest number of replays required to settle an FA Cup tie; Gillingham themselves (then known as New Brompton) had been involved in the record-setting tie 25 seasons earlier when they had needed four replays to defeat Woolwich Arsenal. One day after the third replay, Gillingham and Barrow met again at The Den, the home ground of Millwall.{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/167871491| page = 16| work = The Daily Telegraph| access-date = 13 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Barrow beat Gillingham| date = 1 January 1925}} Barrow scored twice in the first half and, although Marshall pulled a goal back from a penalty kick in the second half, Gillingham lost 2–1 and were eliminated from the competition; the teams had played for a total of nine hours before Barrow achieved victory.

;Key

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• In result column, Gillingham's score shown first
• H = Home match
• A = Away match
• N = Match played at a neutral venue

{{col-2}}

• pen. = Penalty kick

{{col-end}}

;Results{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}}

File:JockRobertsoncard.jpg missed only four games.]]

During the season, 24 players made at least one appearance for Gillingham.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} Marshall made the most, missing only one game.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} Chance, Brown, Jones and Jock Robertson all played in at least 45 of the team's 49 games, and three other players made more than 40 appearances.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} At the other end of the scale, Charles Orford was the only player to make just one appearance; it was the only game he played for Gillingham's first team and the only appearance he made in the Football League for any club during his career.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=124}}{{sfn|Joyce|2004|p=199}} Marshall was top goalscorer with 11; Hall and Brown both also reached double figures, scoring 10 times.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}} No other player scored more than five goals.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=38}}

|-

!rowspan=2 style="width:20em"scope=col|Player

!rowspan=2|Position

!colspan=2 style="width:10em"scope=col|Third Division South

!colspan=2 style="width:10em"scope=col|FA Cup

!colspan=2 style="width:10em"scope=col|Total

|-

!style="width:5em"|{{abbr|Apps|Appearances}}

!style="width:5em"|Goals

!style="width:5em"|{{abbr|Apps|Appearances}}

!style="width:5em"|Goals

!style="width:5em"|{{abbr|Apps|Appearances}}

!style="width:5em"|Goals

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Bill|Berry|dab=footballer, born 1904}}

|FW ||37||3||6||1||43||4

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Fred|Brown|dab=footballer, born 1895}}

|FW ||39||7||7||3||46||10

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Charlie|Butler}}

|FB ||21||0||4||0||25||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|George|Chance|dab=footballer}}

|FW ||40||4||7||0||47||4

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|George|Cook|dab=footballer, born 1904}}

|HB ||7||0||1||0||8||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Joe|Craddock|dab=footballer}}

|FW ||3||1||0||0||3||1

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Harold|Crockford}}

|FW ||7||1||0||0||7||1

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Charles|Davis|dab=footballer}}

|HB ||5||0||2||0||7||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Dick|Edmed}}

|FW ||3||0||1||0||4||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Freddie|Fox|dab=footballer}}

|GK ||36||0||7||0||43||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Tommy|Hall|dab=footballer, born 1891}}

|FW ||37||7||7||3||44||10

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Dick|Hendrie}}

|FB ||25||0||3||0||28||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Albert|Hook}}

|HB ||20||1||7||0||27||1

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Norman|Jones|dab=footballer}}

|HB ||39||0||7||1||46||1

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Jimmy|Keegan|dab=footballer}}

|FW ||4||0||0||0||4||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Frank|Marshall|dab=footballer, born 1904}}

|FW ||41||9||7||2||48||11

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Charles|Orford}}

|HB ||1||0||0||0||1||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Len|Ramsell}}

|FW ||10||2||1||0||11||2

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Jock|Robertson}}

| FB||38||0||7||0||45||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Jack|Rutherford|dab=footballer, born 1892}}

|HB ||29||0||0||0||29||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Syd|Smith|dab=footballer, born 1895}}

|FW ||4||0||3||1||7||1

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Arthur|Sykes|dab=footballer, born 1902}}

|GK ||6||0||0||0||6||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Alf|Vango}}

|HB ||5||0||0||0||5||0

|-

!scope=row|{{sortname|Thomas|Wilkinson|dab=footballer}}

|FW ||5||0||0||0||5||0

|}

{{refbegin}}

FW = {{Fb position, HB = {{Fb position, GK = {{Fb position, FB = {{Fb position

{{refend}}

Less than three weeks after the final match of the domestic season, Fox played for England in an international match against France; the club has at times listed him as the first player to gain an international cap while on Gillingham's books,{{Cite web|title=Gillingham FC History (1893–)|publisher=Gillingham F.C.|accessdate=8 August 2022|archive-date=15 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115155803/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubHistory/0%2C%2C10416%2C00.html|url-status=dead|url=http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubHistory/0%2C%2C10416%2C00.html}} but although he was still with Gillingham when the team selection was announced on 24 April,{{Cite web | url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/167330929 | work = Birmingham Gazette | access-date = 6 March 2025 | via = Newspapers.com | title = To meet France| date = 25 April 1925 }} he was transferred to Millwall before the match actually took place.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=91}}{{Cite web | url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/167330953 | work = Evening Standard | access-date = 6 March 2025 | via = Newspapers.com | title = Millwall's new custodians| date = 27 April 1925 }}

Gillingham improved their final position again in the 1925–26 season, ending the campaign in 10th place, the first time the team had finished in the top half of the league table since entering the Football League.{{sfn|Soar|Tyler|1983|pp=189–194}} Curtis left the club at the end of that campaign to become manager of Brentford;{{Cite web| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/167107739| page = 1| work =The Football Argus| access-date = 3 March 2025| via = Newspapers.com| url-access=limited| title =Personalities in the Third Division| date = 1 May 1926}} after his departure, it would be seven seasons before Gillingham finished in the top half again.{{sfn|Soar|Tyler|1983|pp=195–201}}

a. {{note|subs}} The concept of substitutes was not introduced to English football until the 1960s; previously, an injured player had to play on or else the team had to continue with a reduced number of players.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/when-saturday-comes-blog/2015/sep/18/fifty-years-substitutions-football-sport|title=Fifty years of substitutions in football: from necessary novelties to tactical tools|work=The Guardian|first=Peter|last=Bateman|date=18 September 2015|accessdate=22 October 2023|archive-date=1 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001105929/https://www.theguardian.com/football/when-saturday-comes-blog/2015/sep/18/fifty-years-substitutions-football-sport|url-status=live}}

b. {{note|10Apr}} Brown records that Marshall scored once and Berry twice against Norwich City on 10 April, but contemporary newspaper reports indicate that it was the opposite way round.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004848/19250411/388/0010|title=Led by an amateur|work=Daily Express|page=10|date=11 April 1925|accessdate=1 April 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005049/19250411/161/0009|title=A Gillingham revival|work=London Daily Chronicle|page=9|date=11 April 1925|accessdate=1 April 2025|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book

| last1 = Bradley

| first1 = Andy

|first2= Roger|last2= Triggs

| title = Home of the Shouting Men: Complete History of Gillingham Football Club 1893–1993

| publisher = Gillingham F.C.

| year = 1994

| isbn = 978-0-9523361-0-5

}}

• {{cite book | last = Brown | first = Tony | title = The Definitive Gillingham F.C.: A Complete Record | publisher = Soccerdata | year = 2003 | isbn = 978-1-89946-820-1 }}
• {{cite book |first= Mike |last=Collett|title= The Complete Record of the FA Cup|year= 2003|publisher= SportsBooks Limited|isbn= 978-1-89980-719-2}}
• {{cite book | last = Elligate | first = David | title = Gillingham FC On This Day | publisher = Pitch Publishing | year = 2009 | isbn = 978-1-905411-45-0 }}
• {{cite book | first=Michael|last=Joyce | title=Football League Players' Records 1888 – 1939| publisher=Soccerdata| year=2004| isbn=978-1-899468-67-6}}

{{Gillingham F.C. seasons}}

{{1924–25 in English football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1924-25 Gillingham F.C. season}}

Category:Gillingham F.C. seasons

Gillingham