At the start of the 1939–40 English football season, Gillingham F.C. competed in the Southern League Division One. It was the second season of the team's second spell in the league; the club had lost its place in the national Football League in 1938 after eighteen seasons. Prior to the season, the club appointed Archie Clark as player-manager. After Gillingham had played three matches, the Southern League season was abandoned due to the outbreak of the Second World War; following two months of inactivity, Gillingham joined the Kent Regional League, competing against mostly minor local teams. This competition was also abandoned without being completed and Gillingham did not play another competitive match for four years.
Background and pre-season
After playing in the Southern League since 1894, Gillingham were 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. After finishing in the bottom two places in the 1937–38 season, requiring them to apply for re-election to the League,[1][2] Gillingham were voted out of the competition.[3] The club returned to the Southern League and finished third in its First Division in the 1938–39 season.[4] Gillingham applied to re-join the Football League at the first opportunity, but the application was rejected.[5]
Gillingham's first game of the season was away to Tunbridge Wells Rangers and resulted in a 2–0 victory.
On 1 August, Gillingham lost 1–0 away to Worcester City. The Second World War was declared on the same day and the Southern League season was quickly abandoned.
Southern League match details
Key
In the result column, Gillingham's score is shown first
After the suspension of major competitions, a number of temporary leagues were formed; due to government-imposed travel restrictions, these competitions were organised on a localised basis. Gillingham joined the Kent Regional League (Eastern Group) with other teams from the eastern part of the county of Kent; Tunbridge Wells Rangers were the only other Southern League team to join, but they subsequently withdrew. The other clubs had all begun the season in the lower-level Kent League with the exception of Shorts Sports, who were a works team from Rochester. Teams often fielded guest players and statistics from the competition are regarded as unofficial and not part of players' career records.
Gillingham's first match for two months took place on 4 November away to Margate and resulted in a 1–1 draw.
Kent Regional League match details
Key
In the result column, Gillingham's score is shown first
The Kent Regional League season was abandoned with a number of games unplayed. Gillingham effectively ceased operations and did not play another competitive match until 1944.[7]
