:1998–99 Gillingham F.C. season
{{Featured article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox football club season
| club = Gillingham
| season = 1998–99
| manager = Tony Pulis
| chairman = Paul Scally
| league = Second Division
| league result =4th
| cup1 = FA Cup
| cup1 result = First round
| cup2 = League Cup
| cup2 result = First round
| cup3 = League Trophy
| cup3 result = Southern section semi-final
| league topscorer =Carl Asaba (20)
| season topscorer = Carl Asaba (22)
| highest attendance = 10,400 (v Manchester City, 17 April 1999)
| lowest attendance = 4,575 (v Wycombe Wanderers, 10 October 1998)
| pattern_la1=_black_stripes|pattern_b1=_blackstripes_thin4|pattern_ra1=_black_stripes|pattern_sh1=_bluesides|pattern_so1=_blueline|leftarm1=0000ff|body1=0000ff|rightarm1=0000ff
| shorts1=000000|socks1=000000
| pattern_la2=_black_stripes|pattern_b2=_blackstripes_thin4|pattern_ra2=_black_stripes|pattern_sh2=_redsides|pattern_so2=_redline|leftarm2=ff0000|body2=ff0000|rightarm2=ff0000
| shorts2=000000|socks2=000000
|prevseason = 1997–98
|nextseason = 1999–2000
}}
During the 1998–99 English football season, Gillingham F.C. competed in the Football League Second Division, the third tier of the English football league system. It was the 67th season in which Gillingham competed in the Football League, and the 49th since the club was voted back into the league in 1950. The club signed two new forwards, each for a new club record transfer fee, but started the season in poor form, winning only one of the first eight league games. The team then went on a much-improved run, being undefeated for 17 league games, and began challenging for promotion to the Football League First Division. Gillingham finished the regular season in fourth place in the Second Division, qualifying for the play-offs for promotion to the First Division. After defeating Preston North End in the semi-finals, they played Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in the final. Gillingham were 2–0 up with less than ten minutes remaining but conceded two late goals, and Manchester City won the subsequent penalty shoot-out to gain promotion.
Gillingham also reached the southern section semi-final of the Football League Trophy, but were eliminated from both the FA Cup and the Football League Cup in the first round. The team played 56 competitive matches, winning 26, drawing 16 (including the play-off final), and losing 14. Carl Asaba was the team's leading goalscorer with 22 goals. Paul Smith made the most appearances during the season, playing in 54 of the team's 56 matches. The highest attendance recorded at the club's home ground, Priestfield Stadium, was 10,400 for the visit of Manchester City. Despite leading the team to the play-off final, manager Tony Pulis was dismissed from his job shortly afterwards amid allegations of gross misconduct. He sued the club for unfair dismissal and accepted an out of court settlement.
Background and pre-season
File:Tony_pulis_2014.jpg (pictured in 2014) was the club's manager for a fourth season.]]
The 1998–99 season was Gillingham's 67th in the Football League and the 49th since the club was elected back into the League in 1950 after being voted out in 1938. It was Gillingham's third consecutive season in the Football League Second Division, the third tier of the English football league system.{{sfn|Brown|2003|pp=106–109}} The club had never reached the second level of English football in its history.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/767702.stm|title=Second time lucky for Gills|publisher=BBC News|access-date=6 August 2008|date=28 May 2000|archive-date=3 March 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030303203928/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/767702.stm|url-status=live}} In the previous season, Gillingham had finished eighth, tying on points with three other teams for the last two places in the play-offs for promotion to the First Division, but missing out having scored the fewest goals of the four teams.{{sfn|Brown|2003|pp=83–90, 114}}
Tony Pulis served as manager for a fourth season, having been appointed in 1995 after chairman Paul Scally purchased the club.{{sfn|Brown|1998|p=11}}{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=265}} Andy Hessenthaler was the team's captain.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=76}} There were significant changes to the playing squad ahead of the season, and the records for the highest transfer fees received and paid by Gillingham were both broken. Shortly after the end of the 1997–98 season, Jimmy Corbett, an attacking midfielder who had debuted in August 1997 at the age of 17, moved to FA Premier League club Blackburn Rovers for an initial fee of £525,000 (equivalent to £{{Inflation|UK|0.525|1995|r=2}} million in {{Inflation/year|UK}}); clauses in the contract meant that the fee had the potential to nearly double if Corbett played more than a specified number of games at the higher level. A succession of injuries, however, limited his playing time at Blackburn and Gillingham received no further money.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=92}}{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=95}} In June, Ade Akinbiyi, the team's top goalscorer in the previous season, joined Bristol City of the First Division for £1.2 million (equivalent to £{{Inflation|UK|1.2|1995|r=1}} million in {{Inflation/year|UK}}), a new record for the highest transfer fee received by the club.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=41}} Gillingham's record for the highest transfer fee was broken by the signing of Robert Taylor from Brentford for a fee of {{Inflation|UK|500,000|1995|fmt=eq|orig=yes|cursign=£|r=-4}}.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=121}}{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=313}} Gillingham also signed John Hodge from Walsall, and Mark Saunders and Paul Williams, both from Plymouth Argyle.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|pp=161, 285, 338}}
The club adopted a new first-choice kit, changing from plain blue shirts to blue and black stripes,{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=174}} a style previously worn in the 1995–96 season. In his programme notes for the first match of the season, Scally stated that the fact that the team had won promotion in that season wearing striped shirts was a factor in the decision to adopt them again.{{citation|journal=Gillingham Vs Walsall Matchday Programme|page=3|title=A Word from the Chairman|date=8 August 1998|first=Paul|last=Scally}} The away shirts, to be worn in the event of a clash of colours with the home team, were red and black stripes.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=174}} The team prepared for the new season with a number of friendly matches, including one against Crystal Palace, who had played in the FA Premier League in the previous season.{{citation|journal=Gillingham Vs Walsall Matchday Programme|page=52|title=Action Extra|date=8 August 1998|first=Grant|last=Falvey}}
Second Division
File:AndyHess2009.jpg (pictured in 2009) captained Gillingham during the 1998–99 season.]]
=August–December=
Gillingham began the Second Division season with a home game against Walsall and lost 1–0. The next three games all resulted in draws, after which Gillingham were in 18th place in the 24-team league table.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/29-august-1998/|title=League Division 2 table after close of play on 29 August 1998|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004183445/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/29-august-1998/|url-status=live}} The goalless draw against Bristol Rovers was marred by a brawl involving almost every player on the pitch, after which Gillingham's Barry Ashby and Adrian Pennock were both sent off, along with two Rovers players.{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A72140542/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=bbc6d49e | work = The Times | access-date = 30 September 2021 | via = Gale | title = Four sent off; Football round-up | date = 23 August 1998 | first = Peter | last = Wilson | url-access = subscription | page = 6 | archive-date = 9 November 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153251/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA72140542&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=bbc6d49e | url-status = live }} Forward Carl Asaba made his debut in the 2–2 draw away to Blackpool on 29 August, having joined the club the previous day from Reading for a fee of £600,000 (equivalent to £{{Inflation|UK|0.6|1995|r=1}} million in {{Inflation/year|UK}}), another new club record.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=132}}{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=45}} Gillingham achieved their first victory of the season at the fifth attempt, defeating Wrexham 4–0; Asaba scored his first goal since joining the club and the result took the team up to 12th in the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/01-september-1998/|title=League Division 2 table after close of play on 1 September 1998|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|access-date=10 November 2021|archive-date=10 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110131413/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/01-september-1998/|url-status=live}} Gillingham then lost their next two games, however, and again dropped to 18th.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/08-september-1998/|title=League Division 2 table after close of play on 8 September 1998|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004183444/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/08-september-1998/|url-status=live}}
The 1–1 draw against Colchester United on 12 September marked the start of an unbeaten run which would last for the remainder of the year. Two weeks later, Gillingham drew 1–1 away to Preston North End; before the game the players were presented to Sepp Blatter, president of world football's governing body FIFA, who was in attendance to open the National Football Museum, located at Preston's Deepdale stadium.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=149}}{{Cite web| url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A76073067/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=1b6c080e| work = The Guardian| first = Adam| last = Sills| page = 5| access-date = 6 October 2021| via = Gale| title = Football: Second Division: Blatter sitting pretty at gusty North End: Preston North End 1 Gillingham 1| date = 28 September 1998| url-access = subscription| archive-date = 9 November 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153256/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA76073067&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=1b6c080e| url-status = live}} The following game, a 2–2 draw at home to Macclesfield Town, was preceded by the arrival by helicopter of the club's new mascot, Tommy T. Trewblu.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=152}} Between 20 October and 10 November, Asaba scored in five consecutive games, four of which resulted in victories, taking his total number of league goals to ten.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=176}} Taylor, however, had only scored three league goals and was receiving negative reactions from some Gillingham supporters, who considered him out of shape and his large transfer fee a waste of money.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=313}}
On 21 November, Gillingham played away to Manchester City, who were playing in the third tier of the English football league system for the first time in their history.{{sfn|Mitchell|2013|p=183}} The match, the first between the two clubs since 1908,{{Cite web| url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66724458/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=1d9012b4| page = 25| first = Glenn| last = Moore| work = The Independent| access-date = 6 October 2021| via = Gale| title = Football: City's Maine Road to nowhere; Football: Another season of slumming among the League's lower orders already faces Royle's retinue| date = 24 November 1998| url-access = subscription| archive-date = 9 November 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153325/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66724458&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=1d9012b4| url-status = live}} resulted in a 0–0 draw and drew a crowd of 26,529, by far the largest crowd to watch a game involving Gillingham during the regular 1998–99 league season.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=176}} Asaba scored the team's first hat-trick of the season on 19 December in a 4–0 victory over Notts County.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=176}} Gillingham ended 1998 with a 1–1 draw at home to Millwall in front of 9,221 fans, the season's largest attendance at Priestfield Stadium to date.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=176}}{{Cite web| url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A59707022/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=7a33f163| page = 35| work = The Times| first = Nick| last = Szczepanik| access-date = 6 October 2021| via = Gale| title = Neill strike damages Gillingham expectations; Football| date = 30 December 1998| url-access = subscription| archive-date = 9 November 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153256/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA59707022&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=7a33f163| url-status = live}} It was Gillingham's 16th consecutive league game without defeat,{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=176}} and left them sixth in the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/29-december-1998/|title=League Division 2 table after close of play on 29 December 1998|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004183535/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/29-december-1998/|url-status=live}}
=January–May=
The team won their first game of 1999, defeating Blackpool 1–0 to extend their unbeaten league run to 17 games and move up to fifth place.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/02-january-1999/|title=League Division 2 table after close of play on 2 January 1999|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153321/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/02-january-1999/|url-status=live}} Seven days later, however, Gillingham were defeated in the league for the first time since September, losing 2–1 away to Walsall.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=176}}{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A58022726/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=ebce83cc | page = 31 | work = The Times | access-date = 30 September 2021 | via = Gale | title = Walsall in distinguished company; Football | date = 11 January 1999 | first = Bill | last = Edgar | url-access = subscription | archive-date = 9 November 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153328/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA58022726&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=ebce83cc | url-status = live }} In each of the next three matches the team scored three goals, resulting in two wins and a draw, which kept Gillingham in the top six of the table.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=176}}{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/06-february-1999/|title=League Division 2 table after close of play on 6 February 1999|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006155144/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/06-february-1999/|url-status=live}}
On 20 February, Asaba scored Gillingham's goal in a 1–1 draw with Colchester United but was then sent off for apparently head-butting Colchester's David Greene. Two weeks later, however, the red card was overturned by a special commission convened by the Football Association, the sport's governing body in England, based on evidence provided by police officers present at the game.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=45}} In the final game of February, Gillingham recorded their best ever Football League win away from home when they beat Burnley 5–0 at Turf Moor; Taylor scored all five goals.{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66637528/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=d4f0ce25 | page = 2 | work = The Independent | access-date = 30 September 2021 | via = Gale | title = Football: Incredible five goal-haul is Taylor-made | date = 28 February 1999 | url-access = subscription | archive-date = 9 November 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153301/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66637528&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=d4f0ce25 | url-status = live }}{{Cite web| url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A58005261/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=86a7da5b| page = 7| work = The Sunday Times| first = Peter| last = Wilson| access-date = 6 October 2021| via = Gale| title = Five for Taylor; Football Round-up| date = 28 February 1999| url-access = subscription| archive-date = 9 November 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153300/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA58005261&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=86a7da5b| url-status = live}} It was the first time that a Gillingham player had scored as many goals in a single match since Fred Cheesmur scored six against Merthyr Town in 1930.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=42}} In the following match, Taylor scored in the final minute to gain the team a draw against fellow promotion contenders Preston North End.{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66635881/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=32acb63a | page = 6 | work = The Independent on Sunday | access-date = 6 October 2021 | via = Gale | title = Football: Taylor headline news | date = 7 March 1999 | url-access = subscription | archive-date = 9 November 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153256/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66635881&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=32acb63a | url-status = live }}{{Cite web| url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A76406809/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=2dd04188| page = 7| work = The Observer| first = Amy| last = Lawrence| access-date = 6 October 2021| via = Gale| title = Football: Taylor on target in nick of time| date = 7 March 1999| url-access = subscription| archive-date = 9 November 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153300/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA76406809&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=2dd04188| url-status = live}}
File:Lisbie, Kevin.jpg (pictured in 2013) joined Gillingham on loan from Charlton Athletic in the latter portion of the season.]]
In March, Gillingham lost 4–1 to Wigan Athletic, the most goals conceded by the team in a single game during the season, but followed it up with a 4–0 win over Lincoln City. Kevin Lisbie, signed on loan from Charlton Athletic of the Premier League, scored in both games.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=201}} Gillingham began the month of April with three consecutive victories; this included a win at home to Bournemouth with goals from Hessenthaler and Lisbie.{{Cite web| page=27| url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66604561/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=1c8310d2| work=The Independent| first=Peter| last=Lansley| access-date=6 October 2021| via=Gale| title=Football: Gillingham 2 Bournemouth 1–Lisbie lifts Gillingham| date=10 April 1999| url-access=subscription| archive-date=9 November 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153257/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66604561&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=1c8310d2| url-status=live}} The game was shown live by Sky TV, the first time the broadcaster had televised a game from Priestfield.{{Sfn|Elligate|2009|p=61}} After this run, Gillingham were fourth in the table, two places and three points below the automatic promotion positions.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/09-april-1999/|title=League Division 2 table after close of play on 9 April 1999|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153338/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/09-april-1999/|url-status=live}} They then lost the next three games, however. Although Gillingham only dropped one position in the table as a result, they were now nine points below second place with three games remaining and a maximum of nine more points available.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/20-april-1999/|title=League Division 2 table after close of play on 20 April 1999|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109153335/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/20-april-1999/|url-status=live}} This run of defeats included Gillingham's first home defeat of the season, a 2–0 loss to Manchester City which drew an attendance of 10,400, the largest crowd to attend a match at Priestfield during the season.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=176}}{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A75947245/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=cfaf60ba | page = 5 | work = The Guardian | first = Jeremy | last = Alexander | access-date = 6 October 2021 | via = Gale | title = Football: Nationwide Second Division: Cooke tour de force helps City journey in hope | date = 19 April 1999 | url-access = subscription | archive-date = 22 September 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240922195120/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA75947245&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=cfaf60ba | url-status = live }} Gillingham defeated Oldham Athletic on 24 April and Stoke City a week later, scoring four goals each time. Four days after the second of these victories, Wigan Athletic lost to Wycombe Wanderers, meaning that Gillingham were guaranteed a place in the play-offs irrespective of the result of the final match of the regular season.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=81}} Gillingham's final game resulted in a 1–0 win away against Notts County, Asaba scoring the only goal; this meant that they finished the regular season fourth in the table, seven points below second place.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=33}}
=Match details=
Key
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- In result column, Gillingham's score shown first
- H = Home match
- A = Away match
{{col-2}}
- pen. = Penalty kick
- o.g. = Own goal
{{col-end}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+Results{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=176}} | ||
| scope=col|Date
! scope=col|Opponents ! scope=col|Result ! scope=col class=unsortable|Goalscorers ! scope=col|Attendance | ||
|---|---|---|
| 8 August 1998
!scope=row|Walsall (H) |align=center|0–1 | |align=center|5,712 | ||
| 15 August 1998
!scope=row|York City (A) |align=center|1–1 | Saunders | align=center|2,634 |
| 22 August 1998
!scope=row|Bristol Rovers (H) |align=center|0–0 | align=center|4,896 | |
| 29 August 1998
!scope=row|Blackpool (A) |align=center|2–2 | Saunders, Carr | align=center|3,994 |
| 1 September 1998
!scope=row|Wrexham (H) |align=center|4–0 | Smith, Hessenthaler (2), Asaba | align=center|5,349 |
| 5 September 1998
!scope=row|Chesterfield (A) |align=center|0–1 | align=center|3,766 | |
| 8 September 1998
!scope=row|Northampton Town (H) |align=center|2–3 | Smith (2, 1 pen.) | align=center|5,072 |
| 12 September 1998
!scope=row|Colchester United (A) |align=center|1–1 | Asaba | align=center|4,612 |
| 19 September 1998
!scope=row|Burnley (H) |align=center|2–1 | Galloway, Taylor | align=center|5,702 |
| 26 September 1998
!scope=row|Preston North End (A) |align=center|1–1 | Asaba | align=center|10,506 |
| 3 October 1998
!scope=row|Macclesfield Town (H) |align=center|2–2 | Carr, Hodge | align=center|6,093 |
| 10 October 1998
!scope=row|Wycombe Wanderers (H) |align=center|3–0 | Saunders, Taylor (2) | align=center|4,575 |
| 17 October 1998
!scope=row|Reading (A) |align=center|0–0 | align=center|11,467 | |
| 20 October 1998
!scope=row|AFC Bournemouth (A) |align=center|3–3 | Asaba (2), Southall | align=center|5,183 |
| 24 October 1998
!scope=row|Luton Town (H) |align=center|1–0 | Asaba | align=center|5,602 |
| 31 October 1998
!scope=row|Lincoln City (A) |align=center|2–1 | Asaba (2) | align=center|4,366 |
| 7 November 1998
!scope=row|Wigan Athletic (H) |align=center|2–0 | Asaba, Balmer (o.g.) | align=center|5,869 |
| 10 November 1998
!scope=row|Oldham Athletic (H) |align=center|2–1 | Asaba, Patterson | align=center|5,188 |
| 21 November 1998
!scope=row|Manchester City (A) |align=center|0–0 | align=center|26,529 | |
| 28 November 1998
!scope=row|Fulham (H) |align=center|1–0 | Taylor | align=center|7,614 |
| 12 December 1998
!scope=row|Stoke City (A) |align=center|0–0 | align=center|17,233 | |
| 19 December 1998
!scope=row|Notts County (H) |align=center|4–0 | Asaba (3), Taylor | align=center|6,072 |
| 29 December 1998
!scope=row|Millwall (H) |align=center|1–1 | Galloway | align=center|9,221 |
| 2 January 1999
!scope=row|Blackpool (H) |align=center|1–0 | Southall | align=center|7,022 |
| 9 January 1999
!scope=row|Walsall (A) |align=center|1–2 | Patterson | align=center|5,495 |
| 16 January 1999
!scope=row|York City (H) |align=center|3–1 | Asaba, Taylor, Butters | align=center|6,242 |
| 30 January 1999
!scope=row|Millwall (A) |align=center|3–3 | Southall, Taylor, Saunders | align=center|10,442 |
| 6 February 1999
!scope=row|Chesterfield (H) |align=center|3–1 | Asaba, Hessenthaler, Southall | align=center|6,582 |
| 13 February 1999
!scope=row|Northampton Town (A) |align=center|1–0 | Smith | align=center|5,981 |
| 20 February 1999
!scope=row|Colchester United (H) |align=center|1–1 | Asaba | align=center|7,276 |
| 23 February 1999
!scope=row|Bristol Rovers (A) |align=center|1–0 | Hessenthaler | align=center|5,735 |
| 27 February 1999
!scope=row|Burnley (A) |align=center|5–0 | Taylor (5, 1 pen.) | align=center|8,981 |
| 6 March 1999
!scope=row|Preston North End (H) |align=center|1–1 | Taylor | align=center|9,581 |
| 9 March 1999
!scope=row|Macclesfield Town (A) |align=center|0–1 | align=center|1,868 | |
| 13 March 1999
!scope=row|Wigan Athletic (A) |align=center|1–4 | Lisbie | align=center|4,248 |
| 20 March 1999
!scope=row|Lincoln City (H) |align=center|4–0 | Hessenthaler (2), Lisbie (2) | align=center|7,023 |
| 27 March 1999
!scope=row|Luton Town (A) |align=center|0–1 | align=center|6,705 | |
| 1 April 1999
!scope=row|Reading (H) |align=center|2–1 | Saunders, Asaba | align=center|8,195 |
| 5 April 1999
!scope=row|Wycombe Wanderers (A) |align=center|2–0 | Ashby, Asaba | align=center|6,688 |
| 9 April 1999
!scope=row|AFC Bournemouth (H) |align=center|2–1 | Hessenthaler, Lisbie | align=center|7,813 |
| 13 April 1999
!scope=row|Fulham (A) |align=center|0–3 | align=center|13,119 | |
| 17 April 1999
!scope=row|Manchester City (H) |align=center|0–2 | align=center|10,400 | |
| 20 April 1999
!scope=row|Wrexham (A) |align=center|1–2 | Butters | align=center|1,871 |
| 24 April 1999
!scope=row|Oldham Athletic (A) |align=center|4–1 | Asaba, Smith, Galloway, Taylor | align=center|5,331 |
| 1 May 1999
!scope=row|Stoke City (H) |align=center|4–0 | Taylor (2), Butters, Smith | align=center|8,289 |
| 8 May 1999
!scope=row|Notts County (A) |align=center|1–0 | Asaba | align=center|7,815 |
=Partial league table=
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|float=left
|teamwidth=auto
|title=Football League Second Division final table, leading positions
|res_col_header=PR
|team1=FUL|name_FUL=Fulham
|team2=WAL|name_WAL=Walsall
|team3=MAN|name_MAN=Manchester City
|team4=GIL|name_GIL=Gillingham
|team5=PRE|name_PRE=Preston North End
|team6=WIG|name_WIG=Wigan Athletic
|win_FUL=31|draw_FUL=8|loss_FUL=7|gf_FUL=79|ga_FUL=32
|win_WAL=26|draw_WAL=9|loss_WAL=11|gf_WAL=63|ga_WAL=47
|win_MAN=22|draw_MAN=16|loss_MAN=8|gf_MAN=69|ga_MAN=33
|win_GIL=22|draw_GIL=14|loss_GIL=10|gf_GIL=75|ga_GIL=44
|win_PRE=22|draw_PRE=13|loss_PRE=11|gf_PRE=78|ga_PRE=50
|win_WIG=22|draw_WIG=10|loss_WIG=14|gf_WIG=75|ga_WIG=48
|col_CP=|text_CP=Division Champions, promoted
|result1=CP
|col_P=|text_P=Promoted
|result2=P|result3=PP
|col_PP=|text_PP=Participated in play-offs
|result4=PP|result5=PP|result6=PP
|update=complete|title_source={{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/31-may-1999/|title=League Division 2 end of season table for 1998–99 season|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|access-date=9 November 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109155624/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/31-may-1999/|url-status=live}}
}}
{{-}}
=Play-offs=
File:Paul Dickov (cropped).png's Paul Dickov (pictured in 2008) scored a late equalising goal in the play-off final.]]
In the play-off semi-finals, Gillingham played fifth-place finishers Preston North End. In the first match of the two-legged tie, David Eyres put Preston ahead in the 54th minute. Taylor equalised with 11 minutes remaining and the match ended 1–1.{{Cite web | url = https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999770/the-guardian/ | work = The Guardian | access-date = 3 April 2021 | via = Newspapers.com | title = Gills equal to the task | date = 17 May 1999 | page = 28 | first = Ian | last = Winrow | archive-date = 28 September 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210928084149/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999770/the-guardian/ | url-status = live }} The second leg was held three days later at Priestfield. Gillingham took the lead through Hessenthaler less than two minutes into the match. Having been largely thwarted by the Gillingham defence in the open 45 minutes, Preston had more goalscoring chances in the second half; goalkeeper Vince Bartram dived full-length across his goal to keep out a shot from Jon Macken. The match ended 1–0 and Gillingham progressed to the final with a 2–1 aggregate victory.{{Cite web | url = https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999870/the-guardian/ | work = The Guardian | access-date = 3 April 2021 | via = Newspapers.com | title = Hessenthaler leads men of Kent to Wembley | first = Trevor | last = Haylett | page = 32 | date = 20 May 1999 | archive-date = 28 September 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210928084125/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999870/the-guardian/ | url-status = live }}
In the final Gillingham played Manchester City, who had defeated Wigan Athletic in the other semi-final. It was the first time Gillingham had played at Wembley Stadium, England's national stadium, in the club's history.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=97}} The match was scoreless until the 81st minute, when Asaba gave Gillingham the lead. Taylor added a second goal five minutes later. Kevin Horlock scored for City in the 90th minute to halve the deficit and, in the fifth minute of injury time, Paul Dickov scored an equaliser to make the score 2–2 and send the game into extra time. With no further goals being scored, the match was decided by a penalty shoot-out, which City won 3–1 to gain promotion.{{Cite web | url = https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999921/the-guardian/ | work = The Guardian | via = Newspapers.com | access-date = 3 April 2021 | title = Now City turn lost cause into a triumph | first = Trevor | last = Haylett | date = 31 May 1999 | page = 25 | archive-date = 27 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210727150752/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74999921/the-guardian/ | url-status = live }}{{Cite news | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0500231797/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=5f472bb6 | work = The Times | via = Gale | title = City stage another Manchester late show | page = 31 | date = 31 May 1999 | first = Keith | last = Pike | url-access = subscription | access-date = 3 April 2021 | archive-date = 27 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210727150804/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=TTDA&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CIF0500231797&v=2.1&it=r&sid=TTDA&asid=5f472bb6 | url-status = live }}
=Match details=
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
- o.g. = Own goal
{{col-end}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+Results{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|pp=34–35}} |
| scope=col|Date
!scope=col|Round ! scope=col|Opponents ! scope=col|Result ! scope=col class=unsortable|Goalscorers ! scope=col|Attendance |
|---|
| 16 May 1999
|Semi-final (first leg) !scope=row|Preston North End (A) |align=center|1–1 |align=center|18,584 |
| 19 May 1999
|Semi-final (second leg) !scope=row|Preston North End (H) |align=center|1–0 |align=center|10,505 |
| 30 May 1999
!scope=row|Manchester City (N) |align=center|2–2 {{aet}} |align=center|76,935 |
Cup matches
=FA Cup=
As a Second Division team, Gillingham entered the 1998–99 FA Cup in the first round and were drawn to play fellow Second Division team Oldham Athletic. Gillingham lost 2–0 and were thus eliminated from the competition.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=594}}
==Match details==
Key
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- In result column, Gillingham's score shown first
- H = Home match
- A = Away match
{{col-2}}
- pen. = Penalty kick
- o.g. = Own goal
{{col-end}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders "
|+Results{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|p=594}} |
| scope=col|Date
! scope=col|Round ! scope=col|Opponents ! scope=col|Result ! scope=col class=unsortable|Goalscorers ! scope=col|Attendance |
|---|
| 14 November 1998
|First !scope=row|Oldham Athletic (A) |align=center|0–2 | |align=center|3,173 |
=Football League Cup=
As a Second Division team, Gillingham entered the 1998–99 Football League Cup in the first round and were paired with Southend United of the Third Division. Gillingham lost both legs of the tie 1–0.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|pp=573–574}}
==Match details==
Key
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- In result column, Gillingham's score shown first
- H = Home match
- A = Away match
{{col-2}}
- pen. = Penalty kick
- o.g. = Own goal
{{col-end}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+Results{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|pp=573–574}} |
| scope=col|Date
! scope=col|Round ! scope=col|Opponents ! scope=col|Result ! scope=col class=unsortable|Goalscorers ! scope=col|Attendance |
|---|
| 11 August 1998
|First (first leg) !scope=row|Southend United (A) |align=center|0–1 | |align=center|2,509 |
| 18 August 1998
|First (second leg) !scope=row|Southend United (H) |align=center|0–1 | |align=center|3,417 |
=Football League Trophy=
In the first round of the 1998–99 Football League Trophy, a competition for Second and Third Division teams, Gillingham played Colchester United. Goals from Asaba, Pennock and Paul Smith and two from Taylor resulted in a 5–1 victory. In the second round, Gillingham defeated Swansea City 1–0 and then beat Torquay United by the same score in the third round. This secured the team a place in the semi-final of the southern section of the competition; their opponents were Millwall. In front of a crowd of 11,555 at Millwall's The New Den, Gillingham lost 1–0 and were eliminated from the competition.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|pp=583–585}}
==Match details==
Key
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- In result column, Gillingham's score shown first
- H = Home match
- A = Away match
{{col-2}}
- pen. = Penalty kick
- o.g. = Own goal
{{col-end}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+Results{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|1999|pp=583–585}} |
| scope=col|Date
! scope=col|Round ! scope=col|Opponents ! scope=col|Result ! scope=col class=unsortable|Goalscorers ! scope=col|Attendance |
|---|
| 5 December 1998
|First !scope=row|Colchester United (A) |align=center|5–1 |Asaba, Pennock, Taylor (2), Smith |align=center|1,742 |
| 5 January 1999
|Second !scope=row|Swansea City (A) |align=center|1–0 |align=center|5,126 |
| 23 January 1999
|Third !scope=row|Torquay United (A) |align=center|1–0 |align=center|3,121 |
| 16 February 1999
|Semi-final (southern section) !scope=row|Millwall (A) |align=center|0–1 | | align=center|11,555 |
Players
File:Nyron Nosworthy Watford.jpg (pictured in 2012) made his debut during the season and would go on to play 200 games for Gillingham.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=15462|title=Nyron Nosworthy|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004183949/https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=15462|url-status=live}}]]
Smith made the most appearances for Gillingham during the season, playing in 54 of the team's 56 matches; he missed only one Second Division game and one match in the League Trophy. Three other players made over 50 appearances; Bartram played 53 times and both Southall and Taylor 51 times.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=109}} Two players made only a single appearance during the season.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=109}} Brian Statham was restricted to one game in the 1998–99 season although he had played 23 games in the season before.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=307}} The one game in which French defender Franck Rolling played, however, was the only appearance of his Gillingham career.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=279}}
Asaba was the team's leading goalscorer during the season. He scored 20 times in the Second Division during the regular season, once in the play-offs, and once in the League Trophy for a total of 22 in all competitions. Taylor scored 16 goals in the Second Division and 21 overall. No other player reached double figures.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=109}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+Player statistics{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=109}} |
| rowspan=2 style="width:20em"scope=col|Player
!rowspan=2|Position !colspan=2 style="width:10em"scope=col|Second Division !colspan=2 style="width:10em"scope=col|Play-offs !colspan=2 style="width:10em"scope=col|FA Cup !colspan=2 style="width:10em"scope=col|League Cup !colspan=2 style="width:10em"scope=col|League Trophy !colspan=2 style="width:10em"scope=col|Total |
|---|
| style="width:5em"|Apps
!style="width:5em"|Goals !style="width:5em"|Apps !style="width:5em"|Goals !style="width:5em"|Apps !style="width:5em"|Goals !style="width:5em"|Apps !style="width:5em"|Goals !style="width:5em"|Apps !style="width:5em"|Goals !style="width:5em"|Apps !style="width:5em"|Goals |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Carl|Asaba}}
|FW||41||20||3||1||1||0||0||0||4||1||49||22 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Barry|Ashby}}
|DF||38||1||3||0||1||0||2||0||2||0||46||1 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Vince|Bartram}}
|GK||44||0||3||0||0||0||2||0||4||0||53||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Kenny|Brown|Kenny Brown (footballer)}}
|DF||4||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||5||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Marcus|Browning}}
|MF||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Matt|Bryant|Matt Bryant (footballer)}}
|DF||23||0||0||0||1||0||1||0||3||0||28||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Steve|Butler|Steve Butler (footballer)}}
|FW||7||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||8||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Guy|Butters}}
|DF||23||3||3||0||0||0||0||0||4||0||30||3 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Darren|Carr}}
|DF||30||2||1||0||1||0||2||0||2||0||36||2 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Tony|Dobson}}
|DF||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Roland|Edge}}
|DF||8||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||2||0||11||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Stuart|Elliott|Stuart Elliott (footballer, born 1977)}}
|MF||5||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||5||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Mick|Galloway}}
|MF||25||3||3||0||1||0||1||0||2||0||32||3 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Andy|Hessenthaler}}
|MF||39||7||3||1||1||0||2||0||2||1||47||9 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|John|Hodge|John Hodge (English footballer)}}
|FW||34||1||3||0||1||0||2||0||3||0||43||1 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Kevin|Lisbie}}
|FW||7||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||7||4 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Nyron|Nosworthy}}
|DF||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||4||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Mark|Patterson|Mark Patterson (footballer, born 1968)}}
|DF||42||2||3||0||1||0||2||0||1||0||49||2 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Adrian|Pennock}}
|DF||40||0||3||0||1||0||1||0||3||1||48||1 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|James|Pinnock}}
|FW||4||0||0||0||0||0||2||0||2||0||8||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Franck|Rolling}}
|DF||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Mark|Saunders|Mark Saunders (footballer)}}
|MF||34||5||3||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||40||5 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Paul|Smith|Paul Smith (footballer, born 1971)}}
|MF||45||6||3||0||1||0||2||0||3||1||54||7 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Nicky|Southall}}
|MF||42||4||3||0||1||0||1||0||4||0||51||4 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Jim|Stannard}}
|GK||2||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||3||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Brian|Statham|Brian Statham (footballer)}}
|DF||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||1||0 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Robert|Taylor|Robert Taylor (footballer, born 1971)}}
|FW||43||16||3||2||1||0||1||0||3||3||51||21 |
| scope=row|{{sortname|Paul|Williams|Paul Williams (footballer, born 1969)}}
|DF||10||0||0||0||0||0||2||0||0||0||12||0 |
{{refbegin}}
FW = {{Fb position, MF = {{Fb position, GK = {{Fb position, DF = {{Fb position
{{refend}}
Aftermath
One month after the play-off final, Pulis was dismissed from his job as the club's manager, amid accusations of gross misconduct on his part,{{Cite web| url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66750530/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=23e44267| page = 25| work = The Independent| access-date = 24 August 2021| via = Gale| title = Football: Wenger's buy from Brazil| first = Gordon| last = Tynan| date = 1 July 1999| url-access = subscription| archive-date = 22 September 2024| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240922195120/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66750530&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=23e44267| url-status = live}} a decision which led to a lengthy and acrimonious court case between him and Scally.{{Cite web| url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66750530/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=23e44267| page = 25| work = The Independent| access-date = 24 August 2021| via = Gale| title = Football: Wenger's buy from Brazil| first = Gordon| last = Tynan| date = 1 July 1999| url-access = subscription| archive-date = 22 September 2024| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240922195120/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66750530&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=23e44267| url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/apr/26/newsstory.sport1|title=Pulis 'drank champagne' after sacking|work=The Guardian|first=Jon|last=Brodkin|date=26 April 2001|access-date=1 April 2021|archive-date=9 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309141237/http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PlayOffsDetail/0%2C%2C10794~475418%2C00.html|url-status=live}} The relationship between the two had deteriorated during the 1998–99 season, in particular following an interview with local newspaper Kent Today, which quoted Scally as saying that being a manager was an "easy job". Following the interview, which Scally said misquoted him, the paper's reporters were banned from Priestfield Stadium for more than five years.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=46}} Pulis brought a case against the club for unfair dismissal and ultimately accepted an out-of-court settlement of {{Inflation|UK|75,000|2001|fmt=eq|orig=yes|cursign=£|r=-3}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/apr/28/newsstory.sport7|title=Pulis case ends in settlement|first=Jon|last=Brodkin|date=28 April 2001|access-date=23 October 2021|work=The Guardian|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023175405/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/apr/28/newsstory.sport7|url-status=live}}
Peter Taylor was appointed as the club's new manager.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=112}}{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A58234668/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=363e18a0 | page = 49 | work = The Times | access-date = 24 August 2021 | via = Gale | title = Gillingham; Football | date = 8 July 1999 | url-access = subscription | archive-date = 22 September 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240922195121/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA58234668&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=363e18a0 | url-status = live }} Gillingham again challenged for promotion in the 1999–2000 season; on the last day of the regular season, the team had a chance to gain automatic promotion, but lost and instead had to again enter the play-offs.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/801893.stm|title=Late charge takes Clarets up|publisher=BBC News|access-date=7 August 2008|date=29 June 2000|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717034504/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/801893.stm|url-status=live}} After defeating Stoke City in the semi-finals, Gillingham beat Wigan Athletic in the final to gain promotion to the second tier of the English football league system for the first time in the club's history.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/752886.stm|title=Gills crush nine-man Stoke|publisher=BBC News|access-date=8 August 2008|date=17 May 2000|archive-date=26 May 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040526094942/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/752886.stm|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
=Works cited=
- {{cite book | editor-last = Brown | editor-first = Eric | title = News of the World Football Annual 1998–99 | publisher = Invincible Press | year = 1998 | isbn = 978-0-00218-857-9|location=London }}
- {{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|location=Nottingham }}
- {{cite book | last = Elligate | first = David | title = Gillingham FC On This Day | publisher = Pitch Publishing | year = 2009 | isbn = 978-1-90541-145-0 |location=Durrington}}
- {{cite book | last1 = Mitchell | first1 = Colin| last2 = Reeves | first2 = Jon| last3 = Tyler | first3 = Daniel | title = The History of English Football Clubs | publisher = New Holland Publishers | year = 2013 | isbn = 978-1-78009-449-6|ref={{harvid|Mitchell|2013}} }}
- {{cite book|editor-last1=Rollin |editor-first1=Glenda|editor-last2=Rollin|editor-first2=Jack |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1999–2000 |publisher=Headline Book Publishing |date=1999 |isbn=978-0-74722-166-1|location=London }}
- {{cite book | first=Roger|last= Triggs | title=The Men Who Made Gillingham Football Club| publisher=Tempus Publishing Ltd | year=2001| isbn=978-0-75242-243-5|location=Stroud}}
{{Gillingham F.C. seasons}}
{{1998-99 in English football}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gillingham F.C. Season 1998-99}}