The 2008/09 season marks the threshold of a new era for the Gillingham Ladies, Kent's highest ranking Ladies Team are celebrating their new affiliation with Gillingham Football Club and now have a new manager on board as they prepare for the big kick off.
Gillingham FC is pleased to officially announce the appointment of Martin Andrews as Manager/Coach to the Gillingham Ladies. Prior to joining the Gills, Martin worked in the Community Department at Brentford FC where his role included coaching the U-16 girls team.
A life-long Gills fan, 32 year old Martin holds an FA Leaders Award and FA Preliminary Coaching Badge and has for many seasons played for and managed the independent Gillingham supporters team InterGills.
Andrews is clearly relishing his new role and has big plans for the Ladies team, "This is an exciting challenge, and now that the Ladies are part of GFC it makes the position even more special, the club have worked hard behind the scenes this summer to make this the number 1 ladies team in Kent to play for."
"I am ambitious and feel we have got what it takes to, firstly move up the table, and then with the support of the club start to push on and break into the Women's Southern Premiership."
"Stability is the key this season, as the Ladies have had a succession of managers over the last few seasons. However I can assure all the players that I am here to stay for the long term. There is a big buzz to be successful and I can't wait for Aug 17th when we play our first game of the season against "Bedford Town Belles"
One of the main reasons behind the affiliation between Gillingham FC and the Gills Ladies was to provide a cohesive exit strategy for The GFC Girls Centre of Excellence run by academy Director Pete Sayer.
Promising a brighter future for the ladies team, it is intended that promising U-16 girls will find it easier to enter into the first team and opportunities to train with the ladies at various stages throughout the season will be high on the agenda.
Ken Fiddyment, who ran the Gills Ladies for the past 15 years, said of the team's new status, "At long last Kent's Premier side will get the backing and professional help they deserve, a big thank you to everyone who has been associated with the ladies since the formation.
