As Newport County prepare to take on Gillingham on Tuesday night, we take a closer look at the Gills.
What’s their story?
Gillingham Football Club was founded in 1893, originally known as New Brompton Football Club, before adopting the current name in 1912. After a brief spell out of the Football League following the 1937-38 season, the club was reinstated in 1950 when the league expanded from 88 to 92 clubs.
The Gills enjoyed a near-miss with promotion to the second tier twice in the late 1980s, but a challenging period followed, and in 1993 the club narrowly avoided relegation to the Football Conference. However, the dawn of the new millennium brought one of the club’s greatest eras, as Gillingham competed in the second tier of English football from 2000 to 2005. The highlight came in the 2002-03 season, when the team achieved their highest-ever league finish, securing 11th place.
Today, Gillingham continues to battle in the Football League, moving between League One and League Two over the past decade. Last season, the Gills showed resilience, earning a respectable 12th-place finish
Who’s the boss?
Mark Bonner became Gillingham’s manager in May 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a strong reputation for developing teams. Born in Cambridge, Bonner began his coaching journey with Southend United's academy before joining his hometown club, Cambridge United, where he took charge of the reserves and managed feeder club Cambridge Regional College.
In March 2020, Bonner was appointed permanent head coach of Cambridge United. His debut as head coach was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but when football resumed, he made an immediate impact by leading Cambridge to an impressive win over Championship side Birmingham City in the EFL Cup. Bonner's tenure at Cambridge spanned 201 games, where he achieved 77 wins, 43 draws, and 81 losses, ending with a win rate of 38.31%.
Since joining Gillingham, Bonner has made an excellent start, remaining unbeaten throughout August 2024, earning him the League Two Manager of the Month award. Under his leadership, the Gills currently sit sixth in League Two, with six wins, one draw, and five losses from their opening 12 matches.
Who’s the captain?
Max Ehmer, Gillingham’s current captain, returned to the club in 2021 for his second spell, having previously been a key player from 2014 to 2022. A product of Queens Park Rangers' youth academy, Ehmer signed his first professional contract in 2009 at the age of 17. His early career saw him gain valuable experience on loan at several clubs, including Yeovil Town, Preston North End, Stevenage, and Carlisle United.
Ehmer initially signed for Gillingham in 2015, where he quickly established himself as a defensive stalwart. In January 2017, he was named club captain, a role he briefly lost before regaining it under manager Steve Evans ahead of the 2019-20 season.
After a season with Bristol Rovers, during which he made 33 appearances and contributed two goals and two assists, Ehmer returned to Gillingham. In April 2024, he reached a remarkable milestone, making his 400th appearance for the Gills in a 2-2 draw with Doncaster Rovers.
Key Player
Max Clark has quickly become a vital part of Gillingham’s squad since joining in 2023. At 28 years old, the experienced full-back brings a wealth of knowledge from his time at various clubs. A product of Hull City’s youth system, Clark made his league debut for the Tigers in August 2017, earning valuable game time in the Championship. He also spent time on loan with Cambridge United, where he impressed across two seasons.
In 2018, Clark took a bold step by signing with Eredivisie side Vitesse, making his European debut in a UEFA Europa League tie against Basel. After two seasons in the Netherlands, Clark returned to Hull City in 2021, though he didn’t make an appearance before brief stints with Fleetwood, Rochdale, and Stevenage.
Since arriving at Gillingham, Clark has cemented his place in the starting lineup under manager Mark Bonner. This season, he’s made 14 appearances and provided one assist from his left-back position, proving to be a key figure in the team’s success.
