One of the brightest prospects to emerge from Gillingham's youth system, attacking midfielder Luke Rooney was the Under-18's leading scorer in 2008/09 and appeared regularly for the Reserves, finding the net on several occasions.

He forced his way into the first team squad in early December 08 and was an unused sub in the FA Cup 2nd Round replay at Stockport County, completing the season with a succesful loan spell at Blue Square Premier side Lewes and signing professional terms with the Gills in May 2009.

Luke was a revelation in pre-season scoring in the friendlies against Folkestone, Dartford, Faversham and Bishops Stortford. He made his senior debut as a second half sub in the 2-1 Carling Cup defeat of Plymouth Argyle and marked his League bow with a stunning goal in the 3-0 win over Exeter City.

Soon after he doubled his tally for the campaign with a curling strike from the right edge of the box against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium. Luke spent the latter part of the campaign on loan with Eastbourne Borough, helping the Conference side steer clear of relegation.

Luke later crowned a memorable debut season by collecting the club's Goal of the Season Award for his audacious chip against Southampton. He enjoyed another excellent pre-season in 2010/11, scoring seven times, including a hat-trick in the 4-1 thumping of Bishops Stortford.

He continued his development throughout the season, making a further 23 league appearances, either side of another loan stint at Eastbourne. The highlight of Luke's campaign was a venomous 25-yard drive witch snatched a late point for the Gills in their 1-1 draw with Torquay at Plainmoor.

Rooney has made a goalscoring start to the 2011/12 campaign, netting Gills second in the 3-0 defeat of Plymouth at Priestfield before scoring from the spot to clinch a point in the 1-1 draw with Accrington Stanley.