The only Football League side in Kent, it took Gillingham 107 years to reach the second tier of English soccer for the first time in their history.

Peter Taylor was the Gills' hero as he led them to promotion to Division One in 2000 via the play-offs with a thrilling 3-2 extra-time victory over Wigan Athletic in the final.

The season was also memorable for Gillingham reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they lost 5-0 to Chelsea, and finishing their League campaign with a club record of 85 points.

The highs of the 1999-2000 season were all part of a general turnaround in the club's fortunes that followed Gillingham's purchase in 1995 by London-based businessman Paul Scally, saving the Gills from financial meltdown and possible extinction.

Scally appointed Tony Pulis as manager and he steered Gillingham to promotion in his first season, 1995-96, when they finished Division Three runners-up to Preston.

Unfortunately, the success didn't last, though, and Gillingham were relegated back to the second tier in 2005 and the basement division in 2008.

Gillingham's origins lie in the formation of New Brompton FC in 1893 by a group of businessmen who wanted to create a club that could play in larger competitions.

After competing in the Southern League from 1894, New Brompton, who changed their name to Gillingham FC in 1913, joined the Football League Division Three South in 1920, where they played until 1938.

Failure to be re-elected into the League meant a return to the Southern League, where they won two titles, in 1947and 1949.
In 1950 the Gillingham rejoined the Football League, entering Division Three South, where they played until League reorganisation in 1958, when they were placed in Division Four.

The Priestfield Stadium side won their first – and only – championship title in 1964 on goal average and, along with it, a place in Division Three.

Following relegation in 1971, Andy Nelson guided the Gillingham to promotion in 1974 after finishing second behind Peterborough.
However, they dropped back into the Fourth Division in 1989 and stayed there until Pulis' arrival.