Gillingham F.C. Hall of Fame
Encyclopedia
The Gillingham F.C. Hall of Fame
was devised in 2008. The initial series of articles, containing the first set of nominees, was published in the club's match day magazine throughout the 2008/09 season, written by Gillingham fan Chris Ray. 21 men associated with the club's past were interviewed, with five inductees to be decided by a fan vote. Jimmy Scarth
and John Simpson
, both of whom had already died, were also profiled.
Following the re-run of the articles via the club's official website, the first five players to be elected were chosen in July 2009. Although the club announced at the time that one new inductee would be decided by the same fan vote process every year, no new inductee was announced in 2010.
Upon learning of his admission into the Hall of Fame, Bruce said: “I have great memories of my time at the club and would like to thank everyone involved during my time there and for the support I’ve had since. To be voted into the Gillingham Hall of Fame, particularly by supporters, is a great honour.”
Hessenthaler commented, “I’ve always had a special bond with the fans and even now I stop and have some great conversations with them about past games and memories. Gillingham is my club and it always will be.”
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
was devised in 2008. The initial series of articles, containing the first set of nominees, was published in the club's match day magazine throughout the 2008/09 season, written by Gillingham fan Chris Ray. 21 men associated with the club's past were interviewed, with five inductees to be decided by a fan vote. Jimmy Scarth
Jimmy Scarth
James William "Jimmy" Scarth was an English association football player who for more than fifty years held the record for the fastest hat-trick scored in the history of the Football League.-Biography:...
and John Simpson
John Simpson (footballer born 1933)
John Lionel Simpson was an English football goalkeeper. He spent fifteen years playing for Gillingham, for whom he holds the all-time record for the most matches played in the Football League....
, both of whom had already died, were also profiled.
Inductees
| Name | Position | Seasons | Nationality | Appearances | Goals | Inaugurated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | 1957–1972 | 616 | 0 | 2009 | ||
| Midfielder Manager |
1996–2006 | 363 | 36 | 2009 | ||
| Striker | 1963–1975 | 387 | 149 | 2009 | ||
| Striker | 1981–1987 | 269 | 110 | 2009 | ||
| Defender | 1979–1984 | 237 | 37 | 2009 |
Upon learning of his admission into the Hall of Fame, Bruce said: “I have great memories of my time at the club and would like to thank everyone involved during my time there and for the support I’ve had since. To be voted into the Gillingham Hall of Fame, particularly by supporters, is a great honour.”
Hessenthaler commented, “I’ve always had a special bond with the fans and even now I stop and have some great conversations with them about past games and memories. Gillingham is my club and it always will be.”
2008/09 Nominees
- Andy ThomsonAndy Thomson (Scottish footballer)Andrew "Andy" Thomson is a former Scottish professional football player. He played in 549 league matches, scoring 195 league goals in a career that saw him play for Queen of the South, Partick Thistle, Falkirk and Stenhousemuir in Scotland and Southend United, Oxford United, Gillingham and...
- Ron HillyardRon HillyardRonald William "Ron" Hillyard is an English former football goalkeeper. He spent seventeen years playing for Gillingham, for whom he holds the record for the most matches played in all competition.-Career:...
- Robert TaylorRobert Taylor (footballer)Robert Anthony Taylor is an English retired association football player turned manager. He was appointed as manager of Diss Town of the Eastern Counties Football League on 25 April 2008.-Playing career:...
- Steve LovellSteve Lovell (Welsh footballer)Stephen "Steve" Lovell is a Welsh former professional footballer. He played professionally for Crystal Palace, Stockport County, Millwall, Swansea City, Gillingham and AFC Bournemouth and made over 450 Football League appearances....
- Terry CochraneTerry CochraneGeorge Terence Cochrane is a former Northern Irish footballer who played in midfield as a winger....
- Iffy OnuoraIffy OnuoraIfem "Iffy" Onuora is a coach a former professional footballer born in Scotland of Nigerian descent.He was recently the head coach of the Ethiopia national team...
- Jimmy ScarthJimmy ScarthJames William "Jimmy" Scarth was an English association football player who for more than fifty years held the record for the fastest hat-trick scored in the history of the Football League.-Biography:...
- Damien RichardsonDamien RichardsonDamien John Richardson is an Irish football manager and former player. He currently has no club attachments, having left Cork City at the end of the 2007 season. Richardson formerly managed Gillingham in England and Cobh Ramblers, Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers in Ireland.Richardson's father...
- Paul ShawPaul ShawPaul Shaw is an English footballer who is currently a player-coach for F.C. New York in the USL Professional Division.-Career:...
- Jim StannardJim StannardJames David "Jim" Stannard is an English retired football goalkeeper. Whilst playing for Gillingham he set a record for the lowest number of goals conceded in a 46-match season in the Football League, when he let in just 20 goals in the 1995–96 season...
- Keith PeacockKeith PeacockKeith Peacock is an English former footballer and manager.-Playing career:Peacock played his entire professional career for Charlton Athletic, making over 500 Football League appearances between 1962 and 1979...
- Mark SaundersMark Saunders (footballer)Mark Saunders is an English professional footballer, who plays for, and manages, Southern League Premier Division team Tiverton Town. He previously played for Plymouth Argyle and Gillingham and made nearly 250 Football League appearances in an 11-year career...
- Joe DunneJoe DunneJoseph John "Joe" Dunne is an Irish former professional footballer. He played professionally for Gillingham and Colchester United and made nearly 280 Football League appearances in a 13-year career. He is currently Colchester's Assistant Manager, having previously served as youth team manager,...
- Guy ButtersGuy ButtersGuy Butters is a Football Manager and former professional footballer currently Managing Winchester City FC in the Wessex Premier League having been appointed to replace Glenn Cockerill in September 2010....
- Ade AkinbiyiAde AkinbiyiAdeola Peter Oluwatoyin "Ade" Akinbiyi is a professional footballer.Akinbiyi has had a much-travelled career with many different clubs with transfer fees totalling more than £11.5 million during his career, including being Leicester City's record signing .Born in England, Akinbiyi qualifies to...
- Ernie MorganErnie MorganErnest "Ernie" Morgan is an English former professional Association football player and manager. He spent the bulk of his career with Gillingham, where he set a record for the highest number of goals scored in a single season which stands to this day.-Playing career:Morgan worked as a miner from...
- Nicky SouthallNicky SouthallLeslie Nicholas "Nicky" Southall , is an English professional footballer who is a player/coach at Football League Two side Gillingham, in his fourth spell with the club. He has played in all tiers of English league football and has also appeared in the Premier League for Bolton Wanderers...
- Dave MehmetDave MehmetDavid Nedjate "Dave" Mehmet is an English former professional Association football player of Turkish extraction. His clubs included Millwall, Charlton Athletic, and Gillingham, where he made over 130 Football League appearances. He went on to play for a large number of non-league clubs and was...