:2000–01 Gillingham F.C. season

File:PaulShaw.jpg (pictured in 2011) was one of the club's summer signings.]]

The 2000–01 season was Gillingham's 69th season playing in the Football League and the 51st since the club was elected back into the League in 1950 after being voted out in 1938. In the previous season, the team had finished third in the Football League Second Division and qualified for the play-offs for promotion to the First Division.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2000|p=33}} After defeating Stoke City in the semi-finals, Gillingham beat Wigan Athletic in the final to reach the second tier of the English football league system for the first time in the club's history.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2000|pp=34–35}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/767702.stm|title=Second time lucky for Gills|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 May 2000|access-date=4 July 2021|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}} Following promotion, Gillingham offered a new contract to manager Peter Taylor to remain in charge for the 2000–01 season. He rejected it, however, and left to take over at FA Premier League team Leicester City, replacing Martin O'Neill, who had moved to Celtic.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/787483.stm|title=The Peter principle|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=7 August 2008|date=12 June 2000|archive-date=2 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402083128/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/787483.stm|url-status=live}} Veteran Gillingham player Andy Hessenthaler was appointed player-manager to replace Taylor, his first managerial appointment.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=156}}{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A96750128/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=d760bf45| work = Sunday Times | access-date = 23 November 2021 | via = Gale | title = Gillingham; Football | date = 13 August 2000|url-access=subscription|page=70}}

The club signed three new players ahead of the first competitive game of the new season, two of whom were forwards. Hessenthaler's first signing as manager was Marlon King, a forward, who joined from Barnet of the Third Division for a transfer fee of {{Inflation|UK|250,000|2000|fmt=eq|orig=yes|cursign=£|r=-4}}. King, aged 20, had reportedly attracted interest from Premier League clubs and was viewed as a highly promising prospect for the future.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=185}} The second new forward to join the club was Paul Shaw, who was signed from Millwall for {{Inflation|UK|450,000|2000|fmt=eq|orig=yes|cursign=£|r=-4}}, at the time the third-highest transfer fee paid by Gillingham.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=288}} The third new signing was a defender: Chris Hope arrived from Scunthorpe United for {{Inflation|UK|250,000|2000|fmt=eq|orig=yes|cursign=£|r=-4}}.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=162}} In an interview with the Sunday Times, Hessenthaler stated that he had "told the boys we want to try and make the play-offs".{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A96750118/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=9e8a909e| work = Sunday Times | access-date = 7 December 2021 | via = Gale | title = Upstarts Gillingham throw down gauntlet; Football | date = 13 August 2000|url-access=subscription|page=60|first=Louise|last=Taylor}} Despite this, Gillingham were picked as one of the three teams most likely to be relegated from the First Division by Jason Tomas of The Observer.{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A75843392/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=e7b105dc| work = The Observer | access-date = 23 November 2021 | via = Gale | title = Football: Nationwide League Countdown: Nationwide predictions|first=Jason|last=Tomas | date = 6 August 2000|url-access=subscription|page=6}}

The club adopted a new kit, replacing the previous season's blue and black striped shirts, black shorts and black socks with plain blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks. The away kit, to be worn in the event of a clash of colours with the home team, consisted of white shirts, blue shorts and white socks.{{cite journal|journal=Gillingham Vs Blackburn Rovers Matchday Programme|title=A Season to Remember|date=6 May 2001|pages=28–29}} The team prepared for the new season with a number of friendly matches, including one against Manchester City of the Premier League.{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A63793346/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=f6f4341e| work = Sunday Times | access-date = 23 November 2021 | via = Gale | title = City slicker; Football round-up|first=Jim|last=Munro | date = 30 July 2000|url-access=subscription|page=11}} At the start of the season, building work was ongoing at the club's home ground, Priestfield Stadium. The new Medway Stand, replacing an older grandstand demolished a year earlier, was open to spectators but the work had not been completed on all its facilities.{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A64183298/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=420dc3fe | work = The Times | access-date = 27 October 2021 | via = Gale | title = Hessenthaler sees the flaws; Football|first=Stephen|last=Wood | date = 14 August 2000|url-access=subscription|page=5 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PriestfieldStadium/0,,10416,00.html |publisher=Gillingham F.C. |title=The Changing Face of KRBS Priestfield |date=7 September 2007 |access-date=9 August 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115155957/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PriestfieldStadium/0%2C%2C10416%2C00.html |archive-date=15 November 2007 }}{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=105}}

File:JuniorLewis.jpg (pictured in 2009) scored the goal which secured Gillingham's first ever win in the second tier of English football.]]

Gillingham's first match in the second tier of English football was at home to Stockport County.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/875811.stm|title=Gillingham 1–3 Stockport|date=12 August 2001|accessdate=18 November 2021|publisher=BBC Sport}} Guy Butters scored the club's first goal at that level in the second minute of the game, but Stockport scored three times to claim the win.{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=123}} Hessenthaler described the result as "a wake-up call". Shaw and Hope made their debuts in the starting line-up and King made his as a substitute;{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=185}} Shaw was stretchered off in the first half after suffering an ankle injury which would keep him out of the team for the next six weeks.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=288}}{{cite journal|journal=Gillingham Vs Portsmouth Matchday Programme|title=Priestfield Diary|date=25 August 2000|page=17}} Andy Thomson replaced him in the starting line-up for the game away to Tranmere Rovers, which Gillingham lost 3–2.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|pp=184–185}} In both of the next two First Division games, at home to Portsmouth and away to Burnley, Gillingham took the lead but then conceded an equalising goal; each of the matches finished as a draw.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|pp=112, 184, 300}} The Guardian{{'}}s correspondent wrote that Gillingham were the better team against Portsmouth although Hessenthaler said that his team's play had been "a little bit too predictable".{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A75728804/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=0973e72d | work = The Guardian | access-date = 23 November 2021 | via = Gale | title =Football: First Division: Thomson makes point for new boys| date = 26 August 2000|url-access=subscription|page=2 }} After four games, Gillingham were 21st in the 24-team league table.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/28-August-2000/|title=League Division 1 table after close of play on 28 August 2000|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|accessdate=10 November 2021}} The team won their first league match of the season at the fifth attempt, defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–0 at Priestfield with a fourth-minute goal by Junior Lewis,{{sfn|Elligate|2009|p=136}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1086317.stm|title=Gillingham 1–0 Wolves|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 September 2000|accessdate=7 November 2021}} but then lost away to Grimsby Town. In the second half of September, Gillingham won at home to struggling Huddersfield Town, managed by former Gillingham player Steve Bruce,{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A65311985/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=43d1c560 | work = Sunday Times | access-date = 17 November 2021 | via = Gale | title =Smith sends Bruce rock bottom; The football round-up|first=Peter|last=Wilson| date = 17 September 2000|url-access=subscription|page=15 }} but then lost 3–0 away to Fulham, who continued a run of having won every First Division game since the start of the season. Hessenthaler commented "we just couldn't get near them ... quite frankly I'm pleased it was only 3–0".{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=180}}{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A65449306/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=341eca2d | work = The Independent on Sunday | access-date = 17 November 2021 | via = Gale | title =Football: Tigana enjoys life at the top|first=Geoff|last=Brown| date = 24 September 2000|url-access=subscription|page=13 }} King was included in the starting line-up for the first time in early September but after failing to score in five starts he reverted to the role of substitute, with Thomson preferred as a starter.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=185}}

Gillingham drew 4–4 away to Wimbledon on 14 October,{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66095471/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=baac6409| work = The Independent | access-date = 24 November 2021 | via = Gale | title =Football: Gills join in Crazy Gang show| date = 16 October 2000|url-access=subscription|page=5|first=Marcus|last=Lee }} the only match in the entirety of the First Division during the 2000–01 season to feature eight or more goals,{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng01.html|title=England 2000/01|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|first1=Ian|last1=King|first2=Stephen|last2=Mulrine|date=15 February 2006|accessdate=17 November 2021}} which prompted Hessenthaler to say "We'll be straight back on the training ground to work on our defending as we keep getting punished by decent sides." His opposite number Terry Burton noted that the Gillingham team had taken on the qualities which Hessenthaler displayed as a player, saying "Their spirit epitomises what their manager is all about ... He gives 100 per cent and has taken that infectious enthusiasm into management". Gillingham then failed to score any goals in the next four league matches.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=184}} Carl Asaba, the team's top goalscorer in all competitions at this point in the season,{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=110}} was substituted in the second of these games, a goalless draw at home to Barnsley, after injuring his hamstring;{{cite journal|journal=Gillingham Vs Crewe Alexandra Matchday Programme|title=Ming's Treatment Palace|date=28 October 2000|page=24|first=George|last=Johnson}} he would not play again for more than six weeks.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=185}} Iffy Onuora, who had been a regular in the team in the second half of the previous season but had yet to start a game in the 2000–01 season, replaced him for the next five games but then reverted to being used only as a substitute.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=185}}{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2000|p=177}} The goalless run came to an end with a 2–1 victory away to Sheffield United on 4 November, Gillingham's first league win for seven games and first away league win of the season,{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66689718/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=169e0c04 | work = Sunday Times | access-date = 24 November 2021 | via = Gale | title =Fulham spoil Macari's day; Football round-up|first=Peter|last=Wilson| date = 5 November 2000|url-access=subscription|page=6 }} but the team then lost both their next two games 3–1.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=184}} King scored his first goal for the club in the second of these defeats.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=184}} Victory away to Blackburn Rovers in the last game of November, achieved despite Shaw being sent off, left Gillingham 14th in the table. Ron Clarke of the Sunday Times wrote that Blackburn had been arrogant in their approach to the game in the first half and allowed Gillingham to score two simple goals.{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A67387773/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=95a0f3f9 | work = Sunday Times | access-date = 24 November 2021 | via = Gale | title =Careless Blackburn slip to surprise defeat; Football|first=Ron|last=Clarke| date = 26 November 2000|url-access=subscription|page=7}}{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/30-november-2000/|title=League Division 1 table after close of play on 30 November 2000|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|accessdate=17 November 2021}}

Gillingham began December with consecutive league defeats at home to Birmingham City and away to Norwich City,{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A67688591/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=9e8484f8 | work = The Times | access-date = 24 November 2021 | via = Gale | title =Horsfield gains due reward for his persistence; Football|first=Andy|last=Stephens| date = 4 December 2000|url-access=subscription|page=7}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1061485.stm|title=Norwich 1–0 Gillingham|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 December 2000|accessdate=24 November 2021}} but then beat Preston North End 4–0 at Priestfield,{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1071804.stm|title=Gillingham 4–0 Preston|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 December 2000|accessdate=24 November 2021}} beginning an unbeaten league run which would ultimately last for nine games.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=184}} Asaba scored twice against Preston on his return to the starting line-up.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|pp=184–185}} The team's final game of 2000 resulted in a 4–1 win at home to Crystal Palace; Asaba scored the team's first hat-trick of the season but Shaw was again carried off on a stretcher after suffering another ankle injury, although on this occasion he did not miss any games.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|pp=184–185}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1086317.stm|title=Gillingham 4–1 Crystal Palace|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 December 2000|accessdate=7 November 2021}}{{cite journal|journal=Gillingham Vs Chelsea Matchday Programme|title=Priestfield Diary|date=28 January 2000|page=17}} The attendance of 10,518 was the highest for any match at Priestfield during the season.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=110}} An aggressive confrontation took place shortly before the end of the first half involving players from both teams which led to both clubs being fined by the Football Association four months later.{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A73131206/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=3e786565 | work = The Times | access-date = 25 November 2021 | via = Gale | title =FA issues fines over Gillingham fracas; Football| date = 12 April 2001|url-access=subscription|page=39}} The result left Gillingham 13th in the table at the end of the year.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/31-december-2000/|title=League Division 1 table after close of play on 31 December 2000|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|accessdate=10 November 2021}}

Gillingham's first four league matches of 2001 were all drawn. The first two, away to Portsmouth and at home to Burnley, finished goalless, and Gillingham followed this with a 2–2 draw away to Crystal Palace and a 1–1 draw away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=184}}{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A70025089/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=3759da44|page=50| work = Birmingham Evening Mail | access-date = 25 November 2021 | via = Gale | title = Jones's rebuilding task has to start soon; Wolves 1 Gillingham 1|first=Ian|last=Willars| date = 5 February 2001|url-access=subscription }} Following the Crystal Palace game, Brian Scovell of the Sunday Telegraph described Gillingham as "one of the best organised sides in the First Division".{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A69803279/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=25ffbed1| work = Sunday Telegraph | access-date = 7 December 2021 | via = Gale | title = Freedman reprieves woeful Palace|first=Brian|last=Scovell| date = 21 January 2001|url-access=subscription }} King replaced Asaba in the starting line-up against Wolverhampton Wanderers, his first start since before Christmas, and scored his team's goal; he would go on to start every game for the remainder of the season.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|pp=184–185}} Gillingham extended their unbeaten league run with victories at home to Grimsby Town and away to Huddersfield Town, in both of which King scored the winning goal. Hessenthaler was extremely pleased with his team's recent performances and told the media "If we can now consolidate this year, our aim will then be to do what Crewe have done and see if we can stay in this division for the next four or five years".{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=184}}{{Cite web | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A70693640/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=71bd8243 |page=10| work = Sunday Times | access-date = 25 November 2021 | via = Gale | title = King's winner keeps Gills happy; The football round-up|first=Peter|last=Wilson| date = 18 February 2001|url-access=subscription }} Huddersfield manager Lou Macari contended that Gillingham were "the kind of team capable of upsetting anybody in this division".{{Cite web | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A70586262/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=f127900d |page=10| work = Daily Telegraph | access-date = 7 December 2021 | via = Gale | title = King crowns victory|first=Peter|last=Keeling| date = 19 February 2001|url-access=subscription }} The wins took Gillingham into the top half of the table in 12th place,{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/17-february-2001/|title=League Division 1 table after close of play on 17 February 2001|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|accessdate=19 November 2021}} but the unbeaten run came to an end in the next game with a 1–0 defeat at home to Queens Park Rangers.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=184}} Gillingham lost their next two games, 2–0 at home to Fulham and 2–1 away to Sheffield Wednesday. Asaba scored against Sheffield Wednesday after coming on a substitute in what would prove to be his last appearance for Gillingham; he was transferred to Sheffield United in March.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|pp=184–185}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1274207.stm|title=Gillingham 4–1 Sheff Utd|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 April 2001|accessdate=25 November 2021}}

Although the series of consecutive defeats ended with a 0–0 draw at home to Wimbledon on 6 March, it meant that Gillingham had only scored once in the last four matches and slipped to 15th in the league table.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/06-march-2001/|title=League Division 1 table after close of play on 6 March 2001|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|accessdate=19 November 2021}} Onuora replaced Shaw against Wimbledon, his first start since November; Shaw had still yet to score a goal since his transfer to the club.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=184}} On 10 March, Gillingham came back from 3–1 down to draw 3–3 away to Bolton Wanderers, King scoring the equaliser in the final five minutes of the game,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1210855.stm|title=Bolton 3–3 Gillingham|date=10 March 2001|accessdate=18 November 2021|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A71483194/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=bc92cadc|page=3| work = The Independent on Sunday | access-date = 25 November 2021 | via = Gale | title = Football: King crowns revival as Bolton fade away|first=Richard|last=Slater| date = 11 March 2001|url-access=subscription }} and then won at home to Tranmere Rovers with goals from King and Onuora, who had now been the starting forwards for three consecutive matches and would remain so for the rest of the season.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|pp=184–185}}{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A71951948/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=40485b80| work = The Guardian | access-date = 25 November 2021 | via = Gale | title = Onuora strike keeps Tranmere in the mire| date = 21 March 2001|url-access=subscription|page=30 }} Hessenthaler signed another forward, Guy Ipoua, from Scunthorpe United for {{Inflation|UK|25,000|2001|fmt=eq|orig=yes|cursign=£|r=-4}},{{cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/ipoua-i-think-my-gills-days-are-a7802/|title=Ipoua: I think my Gills days are numbered|work=Kent Online|publisher=Kent Messenger Group|date=17 March 2003|accessdate=19 November 2021}} but he was used only as a substitute for the remainder of the season.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=185}} Shaw returned to the starting line-up against Barnsley on 25 March but was now used in a linking role between the midfield and the forwards rather than as an all-out attacking player.{{sfn|Triggs|2001|p=288}} Onuora scored the team's second hat-trick of the season in a 4–3 win at home to Norwich City on 7 April and Gillingham then scored four goals for a second consecutive game as they defeated Sheffield United 4–1; Shaw scored his first goal for the club in the latter game.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=184}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1262011.stm|title=Gillingham 4–3 Norwich|date=7 April 2001|accessdate=18 November 2021|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1274207.stm|title=Gillingham 4–1 Sheff Utd|date=14 April 2001|accessdate=18 November 2021|publisher=BBC Sport}} The next two games, however, resulted in defeats to Crewe Alexandra and West Bromwich Albion.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=184}}

Victory in the game away to Nottingham Forest on 28 April would mean that Gillingham were sufficiently far ahead of the bottom three places that they could not finish in a relegation position. King scored the only goal in a 1–0 win which ensured that the team would be playing in the First Division again the following season.{{sfn|Elligate| 2009|p=73}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1297814.stm|title=Nottm Forest 0–1 Gillingham|date=28 April 2001|accessdate=18 November 2021|publisher=BBC Sport}} In the final match of the 2000–01 season, Gillingham played Blackburn Rovers, who had already clinched promotion to the Premier League, at Priestfield. Blackburn held the lead for most of the game, but King scored an equaliser in the last minute to secure a draw.{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A74213581/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=7a978c45 | work = The Guardian | access-date = 10 November 2021 | via = Gale|page=11 | title = Football: First Division: No time to relax as Souness prepares for a bright future: Gillingham 1 Blackburn Rovers 1|first=Mark|last=Redding | date = 7 May 2001|url-access=subscription }} Gillingham ended their first season in the second tier of English football 13th in the league table.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/31-may-2001/|title=League Division 1 end of season table for 2000–01 season|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|accessdate=10 November 2021}}

Key

{{col-float|colwidth=22em}}

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

{{col-float-break}}

• pen. = Penalty kick
• o.g. = Own goal

{{col-float-end}}

Results{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=184}}

{{main|2000–01 Football League#First Division}}

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

|float=left

|teamwidth=auto

|title=Football League First Division final table, positions 10–16

|res_col_header=PR

|highest_pos=10

|team10=WRE|name_WRE=Sheffield United

|team11=POR|name_POR=Nottingham Forest

|team12=BRE|name_BRE=Wolverhampton Wanderers

|team13=GIL|name_GIL=Gillingham

|team14=BUR|name_BUR=Crewe Alexandra

|team15=CHE|name_CHE=Norwich City

|team16=PRE|name_PRE=Barnsley

|win_WRE=19|draw_WRE=11|loss_WRE=16|gf_WRE=52|ga_WRE=49

|win_POR=20|draw_POR=8|loss_POR=18|gf_POR=55|ga_POR=53

|win_BRE=14|draw_BRE=13|loss_BRE=19|gf_BRE=45|ga_BRE=48

|win_GIL=13|draw_GIL=16|loss_GIL=17|gf_GIL=61|ga_GIL=66

|win_BUR=15|draw_BUR=10|loss_BUR=21|gf_BUR=47|ga_BUR=62

|win_CHE=14|draw_CHE=12|loss_CHE=20|gf_CHE=46|ga_CHE=58

|win_PRE=15|draw_PRE=9|loss_PRE=22|gf_PRE=49|ga_PRE=62

|update=complete|title_source={{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=44}}

}}

{{-}}

As a First Division team, Gillingham entered the 2000–01 FA Cup at the third-round stage in early January. The team played AFC Bournemouth of the Second Division and won 3–2.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|p=608}} Hessenthaler suffered a serious knee injury and would not play again during the season.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=110}}{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A71572639/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=6b94681a |page=30| work = The Guardian | access-date = 25 November 2021 | via = Gale | title = Football: FA Cup countdown: Thrills, Gills and giants to kill: Gillingham's player-manager has Chelsea in his sights|first=Jon|last=Brodkin| date = 24 January 2001|url-access=subscription }} In the fourth round, Gillingham were paired with Chelsea of the Premier League, who had eliminated Gillingham from the competition at the quarter-final stage in the previous season.{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A59740335/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=b3504b35 | work = The Times |page=28| access-date = 2 September 2021 | via = Gale | title = Chelsea gambol at giant-killers' expense; Football|first=Russell|last=Kempson| date = 21 February 2001|url-access=subscription }} By half-time, Gillingham were 3–0 down to their higher-level opponents. In the second half Shaw and Onuora both scored to reduce the deficit to a single goal, but Gillingham could not bring the scores level, and in the final minute Chelsea's Eiður Guðjohnsen scored to seal his team's win. Gillingham were thus eliminated from the FA Cup by Chelsea for the second consecutive season. Hessenthaler commented that "We made it hard for ourselves with our performance in the first half. You could see the difference in the leagues then and their class but we're disappointed with the way we defended".{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1139916.stm|title=Chelsea defeat brave Gills|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 January 2001|accessdate=7 November 2021}}{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A71576379/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=7d7469af|page=3| work = The Guardian | access-date = 25 November 2021 | via = Gale | title = FA Cup fourth round: Chelsea calm jangling nerves: Gillingham 2 Chelsea 4|first=Jon|last=Brodkin| date = 29 January 2001|url-access=subscription }}

Key

{{col-float|colwidth=22em}}

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

{{col-float-break}}

• pen. = Penalty kick
• o.g. = Own goal

{{col-float-end}}

Results

Gillingham entered the 2000–01 Football League Cup in the first round and were paired with Torquay United of the Third Division. In front of a crowd of 2,743, the lowest attendance recorded at Priestfield during the season,{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=110}} Gillingham won the first leg of the two-legged tie 2–0. Torquay won the second leg at their own ground, Plainmoor, 3–2, but Gillingham progressed to the next round by an aggregate score of 4–3.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|pp=585,588}} In the second round, Gillingham played Manchester City, the first competitive meeting between the two teams since City defeated Gillingham in the Second Division play-off final in May 1999.{{sfn|Brown|2003|pp=108–110}}{{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 }} Gillingham held their higher-level opponents to a 1–1 draw at Maine Road in the first leg, prompting Oliver Kay of The Times to suggest that City would struggle to win the tie overall,{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A65359364/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=326632e9 | work = The Times | via = Gale | title = Late goal by Weah saves City's blushes; Worthington Cup | page = 39 | date = 21 September 2000 | first = Oliver | last = Kay | url-access = subscription | access-date = 7 December 2021}} but Gillingham lost the second leg at Priestfield 4–2 and were thus eliminated from the competition.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|pp=590, 591}}

Key

{{col-float|colwidth=22em}}

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

{{col-float-break}}

• pen. = Penalty kick
• o.g. = Own goal

{{col-float-end}}

Results

File:Marlon_King_vs_Antwerp.jpg (pictured in 2012) was the team's top goalscorer.]]

File:AndyHess2009.jpg (pictured in 2009) made 27 appearances.]]

File:Me and Andrew Crofts2.jpg (pictured in 2008) made his professional debut at the age of 16.]]

Twenty-eight players made at least one appearance for Gillingham during the season. Bartram and Hope made the most appearances; both played every one of the team's 52 competitive matches. As they were in the starting line-up for every game and not substituted at any point, both played every minute of competitive football during the team's season.{{sfn|Rollin|Rollin|2001|pp=184, 585, 588, 590, 591, 608, 611}} Five players made only one appearance each. Three of them were teenagers from the club's youth team, who were selected to make their debuts for the first team once Gillingham had secured their place in the First Division for another season. Of these, Andrew Crofts would go on to play nearly 200 times for the Gillingham first team and later play in the Premier League and for the Wales national team,{{cite web|url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/norwich-city-target-brighton-s-crofts-456498|title=Norwich City target Brighton's Crofts|work=Eastern Daily Press|first=Chris|last=Wise|date=18 May 2010|accessdate=5 November 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44620796|title=Andrew Crofts: Newport sign veteran Wales midfielder|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 June 2018|accessdate=5 November 2021}} but the single appearances made by Mark Lovell and Michael Phillips would prove to be the entirety of the two players' professional careers.{{sfn|Hugman|2015|pp=518, 678}}

Thirteen players scored at least one goal for Gillingham during the season. King was the top scorer with 15 goals, all of them in First Division matches. Two other players reached double figures: Asaba scored 10 league goals and 12 in total and Onuora 9 league goals and 10 in total.{{sfn|Brown|2003|p=110}}

!scope=row align=left|{{sortname|Junior|Lewis}}

|align=left|MF ||17||2||2||0||4||0||23||2

|-

|align=left|{{sort|24.1|24}}{{ref label|No|a|}}

!scope=row align=left|{{sortname|Mark|Lovell|dab=footballer}}

|align=left|FW ||1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0

|-

|align=left|25{{ref label|No|a|}}

!scope=row align=left|{{sortname|Brian|McGlinchey}}

|align=left|DF ||1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0

|-

|align=left|{{sort|25.1|25}}{{ref label|No|a|}}

!scope=row align=left|{{sortname|Michael|Phillips|dab=footballer}}

|align=left|MF ||1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0

|-

|align=left|26

!scope=row align=left|{{sortname|Kevin|James|dab=English footballer}}

|align=left|MF ||7||0||0||0||1||0||8||0

|-

|align=left|27{{ref label|No|a|}}

!scope=row align=left|{{sortname|Andy|Thomson|dab=Scottish footballer}}

|align=left|FW||24||5||1||0||3||3||28||8

|-

|align=left|{{sort|27.1|27}}{{ref label|No|a|}}

!scope=row align=left|{{sortname|Andrew|Crofts|dab=footballer}}

|align=left|MF ||1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0

|-

|align=left|28

!scope=row align=left|{{sortname|Rodney|Rowe|dab=footballer}}

|align=left|FW ||0||0||0||0||1||0||1||0

|-

|align=left|29

!scope=row align=left|{{sortname|Iffy|Onuora}}

|align=left|FW ||31||9||2||1||0||0||33||10

|-

|align=left|30

!scope=row align=left|{{sortname|Paul|Shaw|dab=footballer}}

|align=left|FW ||33||1||2||2||0||0||35||3

|-

|align=left|31

!scope=row align=left|{{sortname|Guy|Ipoua}}

|align=left|FW ||9||0||0||0||0||0||9||0

|}

{{refbegin}}

FW = {{Fb position, MF = {{Fb position, GK = {{Fb position, DF = {{Fb position

{{refend}}

a. {{note|No}} Lovell, Phillips and Crofts were not allocated squad numbers until late in the season and were given numbers worn earlier in the season by players who had since left the club.

After the final game of the season, Hessenthaler told the media that his team had exceeded pre-season expectations, saying "to finish 13th is a fantastic effort and we've proved a few pundits and experts wrong".{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1310994.stm|title=Gillingham hold Blackburn|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 May 2001|accessdate=7 November 2021}} Gillingham's final league position improved in each of the next two seasons, culminating in the club's best ever finish of 11th in the First Division in the 2002–03 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/31-may-2002/|title=League Division 1 end of season table for 2001–02 season|work=11v11|publisher=AFS Enterprises|accessdate=18 November 2021}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2967953.stm|title= Gillingham 2–1 Palace|date=4 May 2003|accessdate=17 November 2021|publisher=BBC Sport}} The team then spent two further seasons in the second tier before being relegated in 2005.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/4500797.stm|title=Nottm Forest 2–2 Gillingham|date=8 May 2005|accessdate=18 November 2021|publisher=BBC Sport}}

{{reflist}}

• {{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|first=Barry|last=Hugman|title=The PFA Premier and Football League Players' Records 1946–2015|publisher=G2 Entertainment|year=2015|isbn=978-1-78281-167-1|location=London}}
• {{cite book|editor1-last=Rollin |editor1-first=Glenda|editor2-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 2000–01 |publisher=Headline Book Publishing |date=2000 |isbn=978-0-74727-232-8 |location=London }}
• {{cite book|editor1-last=Rollin |editor1-first=Glenda|editor2-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 2001–02 |publisher=Headline Book Publishing |date=2001 |isbn=978-0-74727-260-1 |location=London }}
• {{cite book | first=Roger|last= Triggs | title=The Men Who Made Gillingham Football Club| publisher=Tempus Publishing| year=2001| isbn=978-0-75242-243-5|location=Stroud}}

{{Gillingham F.C. seasons}}

{{2000–01 in English football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2000-01 Gillingham F.C. season}}

Category:Gillingham F.C. seasons

Gillingham