User:ChrisTheDude/Sandbox2

During the 1937–38 English football season, Gillingham F.C. competed in the Football League Third Division South at the third tier of the English football league system. It was the 18th season in which Gillingham competed in the Football League. The team finished bottom of the division, meaning that the club was required to apply for re-election to the League; the application was rejected and as a result the club lost its place in the Football League.

Background and preseason
The 1937–38 season was Gillingham's 18th season playing in the Football League. The club had been among the founder members of the Football League Third Division in 1920, which was renamed the Third Division South when a parallel Third Division North was created a year later. In Gillingham's 17 seasons in this division, the team had consistently struggled, only finishing in the top half of the league table three times. They had finished in the bottom two on four occasions, requiring them to apply each time for re-election to the League.

Alan Ure was the club's manager; he had been appointed at the conclusion of the previous season following the resignation of Fred Maven. Jack Oxberry assisted him in the role of trainer. The club signed several new players, including Jimmy Nichol, who arrived from Portsmouth; the veteran half-back had spent three seasons with Gillingham in the 1920s and returned for a second spell with the club at the age of 34.

August–December
Gillingham's first match of the season was away to Bristol City.

January–May
Gillingham's final match of the season was away to Reading.

Match details

 * Key


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


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


 * Results

FA Cup
As a Third Division South club, Gillingham entered the 1937–38 FA Cup in the first round, where they were paired with fellow Third Division South club Swindon Town. Jimmy Watson scored Gillingham's only hat-trick of the season, including two goals from penalty kicks, but his team lost 4–3 and were eliminated from the competition.

Match details

 * Key


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


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


 * Results

Third Division South Cup
Gillingham entered the 1937–38 Third Division South Cup in the first round.

Match details

 * Key


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


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


 * Results

Players
During the season, 32 players made at least one appearance for Gillingham.

Aftermath
As a result of finishing last, Gillingham were again required to apply for re-election. The only non-League club to apply to join the Third Division South was Ipswich Town of the Southern League. They joined the two bottom teams in the division, Walsall and Gillingham, in a ballot among the League's member clubs for two places in the division for the subsequent season. Ipswich received 36 votes, Walsall 34, and Gillingham 28, meaning that Ipswich were elected to the Football League and Gillingham lost their place. The club returned to the Southern League but would be elected back into the Football League when it increased its membership by four clubs in 1950.