In January 1995 had Gillingham went into receivership, after a decade of financial difficulties. They were owing approximately £2,000,000. This could possibly end there existence. But in June 1995, would Gillingham’s saviour turn up. It was a London-based businessman called Paul Scally. The man that will stop Gillingham´s problem was a Millwall fan. Paul Scally would become an unpopular guy because of it. Paul Scally brought in Tony Pulis as the new coach for Gillingham. Tony Pulis was at that time not a big name but was already seen as a good defensive coach. Tony Pulis had an unsuccessful stay at Bournemouth. Both seasons they ended 17th at Bournemouth.

Paul Scally

Tony Pulis was appointed as something new and interesting to a new project at Gillingham. Pulis was heavily backed by the new chairman to make the signing Pulis wanted. Gillingham was at the time in the Football League Third Division, so it wasn´t a great side Tony would have his breakthrough. Tony would bring in Dennis Bailey (free transfer from QPR), Jim Stannard (free transfer from Fulham), Glen Thomas (19 Th.€ from Barnet) and 4 others.

Tony Pulis gameplan would be in classic Pulis-style. They would play with long passes and deep backline. Fortune-West would be the team´s, Peter Crouch. Fortune-West was amazing in the air with great physicality. The biggest star of the team was the keeper Jim “Big Fat” Stannard.

Gillingham´s Peter Crouch (Fortune-West)

Gillingham first game was against Wigan. Tony Pulis´ squad was flying from the start and won 2-1. Forster and Fortune-West would score for Gillingham and Roberto Martinez would score for Wigan. They started the season perfectly with 4 wins. They only conceded 1 goal and was already the best defensive side in the league. Tony Pulis said after there brilliant start “We never thought it would go as well. Everyone has been magnificent, sometimes we cannot believe it ourselves”.

After 20 games of the season had Gillingham only conceded 7 goals but was playing too many draws, which would cost them later on. They were averaging 7.000-plus on the stadium, which was amazing for a team that was close to going out of business before the season. Neil Smith thought that the reason for Gillingham´s success was due to Pulis’ disciplined approach to football management and getting all the players to pull in the same direction.

Full Crowd at Priestfield Stadium

Preston North End and Gillingham were competing for the first place. They were playing against each other at matchday 20. The first game against each other ended in a scoreless affair. The second meeting against each other ended also in a draw, but the second game ended 1-1.

After 44 games had Gillingham already 27 clean sheets and only conceded 20 goals. They were just 1 clean sheet away from Liverpool´s 1978-79. The Independent made a funny comparison between those two sides.

GILLINGHAM 1995/96 LIVERPOOL 1978/79 27 clean sheets with two games to play 28 clean sheets Jim Stannard, 33 (free transfer from Fulham) Ray Clemence, England international Richard Green, 28 (free transfer from Swindon) Phil Neal, England international Dominic Naylor, 25 (free transfer from Plymouth) Alan Kennedy, England international Mark Harris, 32 (free transfer from Swansea) Phil Thompson, England international Tony Butler, 23 (former trainee) Alan Hansen, Scotland international Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/big-fat-jim-blocks-the-route-to-goal-1307026.html

Jim Stannard became so beloved by the Gillingham that they were chanting ” Big fat, Big fat Jim, Big fat Jim Stannard”. Jim was getting close to two records. One of them was conceding fewest goals in a 46-match League season. The other one was having the most clean sheets in one season. Jim Stannard already one record, that of heaviest current player.

Big Fat Jim

The game against Fulham ended in another boring affair for the neutral point of view. The weird thing was the Gillingham players, management and staff celebrated on the pitch. They just equalized the record and was one clean sheet away to break two records.

The last game of the season would end in pure joy for the Gillingham fans. They had another win and another clean sheet after Fortune-West scored on Priestfield Stadium with over 10.420 in the crowd. When the final whistle blew at Priestfield Stadium were they all celebrating the second place in the 4 tier in the English League. Fortune-West was Gillingham top score with 12 goals. Goalkeeper Jim Stannard kept 29 clean sheets and conceded only 20 goals, both records for a 46-match League season.

“I would have run through a brick wall for Tony and the rest of the team because I know the other lads would do it for me.” -Neil Smith

Gillingham was promoted to the English 3rd tier and Tony Pulis was beloved by Gillingham´s fans. The club that could have been out of business was now promoted. This made Pulis, a historical coach in English football with all the records they broke.

The legend without a cap