We’re at the end of the decade so it only seems appropriate to create a Gillingham ‘Team of the Decade’.

The decade saw a relegation, a title win, and countless fights for survival for the club – and, as ever, plenty of players contributed to the cause.

We’ve done our best to pick a starting XI and bench from the list. The chosen formation is 3412, or 5212, and we reckon the team could still do a very good job today.

Let us know what you think.

GK: Stuart Nelson

Legendary stopper Nelson joined the Gills in 2012 and won the League Two title in his first season, coming second in the club’s POTY award in the process. The following year he took first place, and was named vice captain two years on from that. He was in and out the side towards the end of his Gills tenure, but had time to keep a clean sheet on his return to the team on the final day of the 2016/17 season to help keep the Gills in League One.

RB: Barry Fuller

Fuller started the decade as Gillingham captain and ends it as the first choice right back and a huge fans’ favourite. Although his Play Off win as captain came a year before this decade, the veteran is known for giving 100% every time he steps on the pitch and his no nonsense defending. Also picked up the POTY award in 2018/19, and has a few years left in the tank yet.

CB: Max Ehmer

Initially joining on-loan from QPR in 2014, Ehmer now sits in the top 30 on the all time appearance list for the Gills with 237 apps and counting. Hes been the club captain on two occasions, once in 2017 and again now, and, whoever hes been partnered with, hes proved to be a leader and commanding defender at this level.

CB: John Egan

Egan joined on a free transfer from Sunderland in 2014 and it was obvious from pretty early on that he was going to play much higher. He picked up the POTY and away POTY awards in his first season at the club with some dominating defensive performances and was named in the League One TOTY the following season. Now a regular for Premier League side Sheffield United.

CB: Adam Barrett

Former Southend defender Barrett joined Gillingham aged 32, but captained the club to their first league title in nearly 50 years at the first time of asking. He was named in the League Two TOTY that season and also picked up the supporters’ POTY and away supporters’ POTY awards. He left the club in 2015.

LB: Danny Jackman

Gillingham haven’t been blessed with left backs this decade but Danny Jackman is one fans will remember. He returned to the club in 2009 after a two year stint in the naughties, playing pretty much everywhere. He was, though, at home on the left of defence. He won the POTY award in 2012 and scored a few bangers too.

CM: Jake Hessenthaler

Although he wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, Jake Hess plays a huge role in Gillingham’s story of the decade. He burst onto the scene from the academy aged 19 in 2014 with a 40-yard goal against Coventry before signing a new long term deal. He was a leader and always gave 100% for the cause before leaving for Grimsby in 2018.

CM: Mark Byrne

Gillingham wanted Byrne before he joined and it’s clear to see why. He signed in 2016 and, ACL injury aside, is still an ever-present in midfield. Hes played under five different managers, so must be doing something right, and he picked up the POTY, away POTY and player’s POTY awards in 2018. You notice it when he’s not playing.

CAM: Bradley Dack

Dack was the biggest talent the Gills produced this decade, no doubt about it. He featured in parts out wide before finding a home behind the forwards and picked up pretty much every accolade possible including POTY, young POTY, player’s POTY, and League One POTY, which was in 2016. He scored 38 goals for the club and is now flying high with Blackburn in the Championship. Is backed for a Premier League move in the near future.

ST: Cody McDonald

Cody had a season on loan at the start of the decade and scored 25 league goals. He then came back on loan and scored four in seven in 2013 before joining permanently in 2013, scoring 52 goals for the club before leaving in 2017. He sits ninth in the club’s top scorers of all time and picked up countless awards during his time at the club.

ST: Tom Eaves

When Eaves joined the club in 2017 on the back of a poor record at his previous clubs, perhaps most notably his four goals in 40 appearances the year before in League Two at Yeovil Town, few could have predicted what was to come. The big forward became a fans’ favourite on his way to scoring 40 goals in two seasons before earning a move to Championship side Hull City.

Subs: 

Tomas Holy

Goalkeeping giant Holy was a firm fans’ favourite during his two years at the club, where he produced a number of fine performances between the sticks.

Luke O’Neill

Often provided a threat from out wide with a deadly cross but could also defend. Loved a free-kick, too.

Connor Ogilvie

Finally joined permanently in 2019 after two seasons on loan. Has excelled at centre back but has become an excellent full back, too. Often pops up with a goal.

Alfie Jones

Has had a short Gills career but is arguably the best player in the current set up. On loan from Southampton and destined to play Premier League football. 

Charlie Lee

Known for his long throw, work rate and bullishness. A real asset to any side and played his role in the League win of 2013.

Chris Whelpdale

A deadly winger who was pretty much made in Gillingham. Scored a plenty and also a member of the title winning team.

Danny Kedwell

A Kent man and a Gillingham man. Was never the most athletic but he ran his heart out. Scored 45 goals in his three-and-a-half years at the club.