Gillingham are our next focus as we look at all the teams that will be competing in League One during the 2014-15 season.
LAST SEASON
Gillingham managed a 17th place finish in their first season back in League One. The won League Two back in the 2012/2013 season and have managed to consolidate in the league above. On the whole, their form was very inconsistent, but the Gills fans were more than happy with the season, and the ease the managed to avoid relegation.
THE MANAGER – PETER TAYLOR
61 year old Gills manager, Peter Taylor, played most of his football at Tottenham and Crystal Palace. During his career, he played as a winger, and notched 87 goals in 388 matches. He started at Southend United, where he scored 12 goals in 75 matches, before moving to Crystal Palace in 1973. 122 games, and 33 goals later, he moved on to White Hart Lane, and scored 31 goals in 123 games for Tottenham.
In 1980, he moved on to Leyton Orient, and also had a loan spell away from Brisbane Road, at Oldham Athletic. His playing career ended at Exeter, where he played 8 matches, and failed to find the net.
Taylor did also represent his country on 4 occasions, scoring 2 goals in the process. His first managerial job came at Dartford in 1986. He moved on to Southend, Dover, England U21, and Gillingham, before taking the role as England`s caretaker manager in 2000.
Following his spell in the England hotseat, he moved on to manage Brighton, Hull, England U21 (again), Crystal Palace, Stevenage, and Wycombe, before taking on the strangest job of his managerial career so far – at the Bahrain National Team!
He again moved into the England fold, this time as England U20 manager, before taking the Gillingham job for the second time in his career.
VISITING THE GROUND?
Priestfield Stadium is the home of Gillingham football club, and has been since 1893.
The Brian Moore Stand is the accommodation for visiting supporters on match day. This is where Posh fans will be situated in the upcoming season.
Post Code for SAT NAV: ME7 4DD
Distance from London Road: 111 miles
SUMMER BUSINESS SO FAR
Former Posh man Charlie Lee was one of the players released by Gillingham at the end of last season. He was joined by forwards Craig Fagan and Myles Weston along with Gary Borrowdale, Steven Gregory, Sam Baxter, Adam Birchall, Joe Carter and George Howard.
Another former Posh man Chris Whelpdale was been offered a new contract at the club but turned down the new deal, and decided to sign for Stevenage instead. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Stuart Nelson and striker Danny Kedwell have both agreed terms on a new two-year contract at the Gills.
Nelson will have a rival in Glenn Morris who has signed a one-year-contract at the club while defender Aaron Morris has signed a two-year contract after spending last season at AFC Wimbledon.
Another two players incoming and with a two-year contract are former Cheltenham Town winger Jermaine McGlashan and ex-Port Vale defender Doug Loft.
A former loan target of Posh has also signed a two-year deal with the Gills. Josh Pritchard has signed from Fulham following his release.
Larger than life striker Adebayo Akinfenwa has rejected a new contract and joined League Two side AFC Wimbledon.
Gillingham have signed defender John Egan from Sunderland, and midfielder Luke Norris, from Brentford.
THEY PLAYED FOR BOTH
Posh`s new club captain, Jack Payne, moved to London Road from Gillingham, and Posh coach Gary Breen also appeared for the club. Charlie Lee and Chris Whelpdale were also at the club but both joined Stevenage at the end of last term.
Tom Williams, Micah Hyde, Rene Howe and Andrew Crofts have also played for both sides.
PAST MEETINGS
Posh and Gillingham have played each other 40 times in their histories. Posh have won 13 in all competitions, compared to Gillingham`s 10. There have been 17 draws between the two teams in all competitions.
Last season, it was a win and a draw for Posh in the two matches between the sides. Back in December 2013, Britt Assombalonga gave Posh the lead before Joe Martin and Cody McDonald put Posh on the back foot. It wasn`t until the 90th minute when Britt Assombalonga scored his second of the game to rescue a point for Posh.
The home fixture when far more to plan. Assombalonga, and new Wolves signing, Tommy Rowe, found the net as Posh cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win at London Road.
WHAT THE BOOKIES THINK
Gillingham are 50/1 to win League One in 2014-15 and 20/1 to get promoted.
They are 15/2 to finish in the top six and 2/1 to get relegated.
UP THE POSH
Tweets by @VitalPosh
Photo courtesy of www.theposhpics.com
Follow Vital Peterborough on: and
Join Vital Peterborough United!
With news and views, polls and article comments, everything you need in a fans site is right here!
Vital Posh is 100% interactive. Not only can you have your say on the articles but you can also suggest an article or a poll so you can air your views.
So why not join Vital Posh today?
It’s easy to REGISTER HERE. Simply click the link and enjoy getting involved!.
Get involved
This website is your website and we are looking for people to help run the site. Do you go to most of the games and have an opinion? Why not write a match report? Perhaps you are a budding journalist or even just someone who is very opinionated? Well why not join our team? If this interests you please contact Vital Posh at peterborough@vitalfootball.co.uk or
via @VitalPosh.
