Today’s FA Cup third round tie away at Keynsham has been called off.

Due to the heavy overnight snow in Kent, the Gills Ladies players and the coach company taking the team down to Keynsham have been left snowed in. It is just one of a number of games that has fallen foul of the wintry weather this weekend.

The game will now take place next Sunday 12th February instead, that means that the home game against Charlton Ladies in the League Cup will now take place at a later date.

As soon as we have a revised date for that game we will let you know right here on the Official Website.

The Ladies are back in action this weekend following a week off.

What a weekend it is to return back to action as it is FA Cup weekend.

They travel to fellow Southern Premiership side Keynsham Ladies in the third round, looking to make the fourth time for the first time in the clubs history.

Team News

Ian Varley has a fully fit side to choose from for the trip to Keynsham. His side played a behind closed doors friendly in preparation for the game and everyone came through the game unscathed.

The Squad

Toni-Ann Wayne, Lauren Williams, Sarah Jones, Laura East, Deanna Cooper, Danielle Carlton, Bryony Smith, Emma Tune, Katie Hardaker, Danni Farmer, Vicky Ashton-Jones, Natalie Crinean, Lauren Phillips

So far this season

So far this season the two sides have had contrasting campaigns. The Gills are handily placed in mid table whereas Keynsham are fighting hard to preserve their Southern Premiership status.

In our last game the ladies beat Ebbsfleet United Ladies 1-0 thanks to a Laura East goal. That goal booked the Gills place in the Kent Cup final.

Keynsham however are currently bottom of the Southern Premiership following a 2-0 away defeat in their last game in the league.

We’ve Met Before

Both sides have met twice in the league this season, with the Gills having the upper hand.

In the away game down at Keynsham the Gills won the game 3-1 with goals from Lauren Phillips, Captain Danni Farmer and a sensational strike from centre half Sarah Jones.

In the home game they came out on top with a 2-1 win thanks to an own goal in the second minute and Vicky Ashton-Jones who netted either side of a Suzanne Grant chip for Keynsham.

The Venue

Keynsham Town FC, The Crown Field, Bristol Road, Keynsham, Nr. Bristol, Somerset, BS31 2BE

Kick-off

2pm

Ian Varley takes his side to Keynsham on Sunday afternoon in the FA Cup.

With both sides bidding to be in the fourth round it promises to be an entertaining game.

Speaking ahead of the game, Ian said: “It’s the first real break we’ve had during the season so will be interesting to see how we are come Sunday.

“It’s a big competition and one we want to get as far as we can in. We’ve had a good draw as it’s a game we should be winning but we’ve still got to go there and get the result.

“I think any game at this level is a one off and previous encounters don’t really come into it! There a good team with good players and I think there position in the league is a false on so we’ll have to play well on Sunday.

“Although we are missing a few key players on Sunday like Deanna Cooper and Natalie Crinean, it gives our younger members of the squad a chance to impress and show what they can do.”

The ladies played a behind closed doors game in the build up to the game on 3g, something Ian sees as essential.

He added: “It’s certainly good preparation for us as the 3G surfaces play a lot differently to grass pitches. We’ve prepared thoroughly and it’s now up to the players to get the job done on Sunday.”

Team spirit will be high amongst the girls especially with them travelling on the coach to the game together.

Ian said:”It’s always nice to have a good get together but will only be worth it if were in Mondays draw!”

Gillingham Football Club’s centre of excellence girls will be providing some unique entertainment in our upcoming friendlies against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Before the games kick-off the girls from the centre will be taking part in a half hour training session, whilst both Gills Ladies and their opposition warm up.

Then during the half time break they will take part in another session, which will allow them to show case their talents.

It also allows them the opportunity to sample what it is like to be part of Gills Ladies on a match day, and also of playing in front of a large crowd. After they have shown their skills the girls will then provide valuable assistance to the game by being ball girls up the top end of the ground, during the game.

Speaking about the opportunity, Gills Ladies Chairman Martin Andrews, said: “I am delighted that the girl’s centre of excellence have agreed to take part in these sessions.

“It gives them a unique chance to for the girls to be part of the Ladies set up and what it could be like when they are older should they progress to the ladies set up.”

Match Details:

Gills Ladies vs. Chelsea Ladies, Kick-off 7:45pm – Thursday 9th February

Gills Ladies vs. Arsenal Ladies, kick-off 7:45pm – Wednesday 15th February

Ticket Details

Adults £5
U16′s & Concessions £2.50

Players of the Centre Of Excellence are reminded to be at the ground for 6:45pm, to start at 7pm

Super League side Chelsea Ladies are coming to town next Thursday to take on the Gills.

This is a reminder that you can see some of the best players in women’s football as they begin their pre-season program ahead of the second season of the Women’s Super League season.

The Gills will be fielding their strongest available team as will Chelsea in what is sure to be an entertaining match.

Last season the two sides played out a spirited and well fought game, that Chelsea won late on by two goals to one.

So why not come along and witness some of the best players in women’s football?

Match Details:

Thursday 9th February, kick-off 7:45pm

Venue:

Chatham Town FC, Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6LR

Ticket Details:

Entry on the Night: £5 Adults, £2.50 U16′s & Concessions
In advance: £2.50 Adults, £1 U16′s (from Gills Ladies home games)
Group Bookings: £3 adults, £1.50 U16’s (Affiliated KCFA Clubs only)

For more information on tickets or a group booking form email Martin Andrews, info@gillinghamladies.co.uk

A quick reminder that Arsenal Ladies will be in town for a friendly just one week later on 15th February.

Gillingham Ladies are delighted to announce that two local girls teams will be supplying mascots and ball girls for the upcoming friendlies against Chelsea on 9th February 2012 and Arsenal on 15th February 2012.

Barming Girls will provide 10 ball girls and 2 mascots for the Chelsea game whilst Anchorians Angels will provide the same for the Arsenal fixture.

Commercial Manager Dan Small said “It’s great for us to be able to offer this opportunity to local teams so that they can come along and see what we are all about. By encouraging the teams to come and see us we hope to improve the interaction and relationship between us and them, which will hopefully benefit both of us in the future.

“Having had this experience we hope the girls will want to come back to see us more often and that they will be able to look up to the Danni Farmers and Natalie Crinean’s in the same way as the Wayne Rooney’s and Steven Gerrard’s”

Leigh Willis, Chairman of Kent Girls and Ladies Football league said: “The opportunity given by Gillingham ladies of being a mascot or ball girl/boy, shows their willingness to work with local clubs to develop stronger relationships, that will improve communication between the clubs and Gillingham Ladies, that should see more player participation and player development at a grass roots level.”

The match day experience for the mascots consists of being in the dressing room with the girls (for girls only), participating in the warm up with the girls, being part of the team talk before the game, sitting on the bench for the game with the management and substitutes and warming up with the substitutes during the game and at half time.

Ball girls will be placed around the pitch during the game.

We are offering this experience at all of our remaining home fixtures this season, If you are interested in providing ball girls and mascots please contact Dan Small on commercial@gillinghamladies.co.uk or 07876 143068

Today we bring you the latest musings of striker Lauren Phillips in Potter Power.

So once again we have had a week full of fun and joys on Gills Ladies “Boot Camp” Running club, experienced the ups and downs of the beautiful game in a brilliant game at home to Colchester in the FA Cup followed by a disappointing performance against Ebbsfleet.

Having said that we really are looking forward to putting that game to bed and showing what we really are made of in the game today and in the Kent Cup Final, to show we really are the best team in Kent!

Soooo I’m thinking today I will give a little bit into the on goings behind the changing room door pre game… Expose any habits that the girls have so here goes –

Quants – Normally is getting bantered off for her poor performance on a night out… Involving one, two or three of the most ineligible bachelors alive!!
Loz – Normally sits staring at the wall
DC – Adding to her addiction to Red Bull, normally has a can in her hand … Addicted… or sometimes dancing
Vaj – Telling us all her adventures and goings on in the world of Policing Kent… don’t mess with PC Vaj
Tuney – Arranging her hair so that her head band fits perfectly… takes at least 10 mins just to get it perfect
Bryony , Akre, Amy T and Eastie – To be fair don’t have many habits they just sit there watching the world go by… there not really all that innocent though
Farms – Reapplying her fake tan before a game or doing her hair for the 5th time… I think she even wears makeup!?!?! “never know who your gonna meet”
Nat – Another of the fake tanners… oh and also always cleans her boots with shampoo and a towel… the new Gills Ladies Boot Girl “GLBG”
Jay – Sits in the corner moaaaaaning about how cold it is with about 4 layers on!! The only player I know to play in full length skins
Me – Music mystro, DJ extraordinaire bringing things everything magical to the dressing room… or playing pranks on Vars … soz Gaffa

Howler of the week – Had to go to Tuney for last week for the split second moment where she must of thought I was on the other team and head butted me straight in the head and left me sparko on the floor… I was not best pleased lol!

Oh and before I forget another third eye… Can you guess which Gills Player Lookalike this is:

Due to Arsenal Ladies going on tour to Scotland as part of their pre-season there has been a date change for our friendly.

The game will now be played one day earlier than planned on Wednesday 15th February with kick-off at 7:45pm.

All plans and offers for tickets and entry prises remain the same, it is just that we are playing one day earlier to guarantee that the Arsenal Ladies can put out a full strength side and make the game as entertaining as possible for the fans.

Match Details:

Wednesday 15th February – Kick-off 7:45pm

Venue:

Chatham Town FC, Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6LR

Ticket Prices:

Entry on the Night: £5 Adults, £2.50 U16′s & Concessions
In advance: £2.50 Adults, £1 U16′s (from Gills Ladies home games)
Group Bookings: £3 adults, £1.50 U16’s (Affiliated KCFA Clubs only)

For more information on tickets or a group booking form email Martin Andrews, info@gillinghamladies.co.uk

Gillingham Ladies FC are delighted to announce Euroclean Contractors Ltd as the match day sponsors for the friendly against the first ever Women’s Super League Champions, Arsenal Ladies on Thursday 16th February 2012.

Euroclean Contractors are a family owned cleaning company who currently have contracts with companies such as Selfridges Retail, Shepway District Council and Kent County Council. Euroclean’s objective is to deliver a professional, consistent, high standard cleaning service to all its customers.

Gillingham Ladies Commercial Manager Dan Small Said “We are pleased to welcome Euroclean Contractors as match day sponsors. We are very grateful for their commitment to Gillingham Ladies and to women’s football in general and we hope that they enjoy their match day experience with us so much so that they want to come back and watch the girls on a regular basis.

“Getting businesses like Euroclean Contractors to sponsor games is part of our new strategy going forward, in what we hope will prove to be beneficial for both the club and any businesses involved.”

Wayne Andrews, Director from Euroclean, said: “As a company we aim to be top of our game in the industry. That requires hard work, focus, commitment and most of all team work.

“Gillingham Ladies FC has all of the above and more which we and they hope will help them achieve their goal of one day playing in the Women’s Super League. We can support this by getting involved with ladies football and supporting our local teams. This is why we at Euroclean Contractors Ltd are giving a bit towards something big. At Gillingham Ladies they are on the right path to achieve their goal. We want to be a part of their success now and in the future!”

If you want any further information about Euroclean Contractors Ltd please look at their website or contact Wayne on 01303 238490

The Reserves signed off their league campaign in style on Sunday by beating Brighton Reserves 2-1.

Midfielder Whitney Judd was on target in the game scoring the winner, and she was delighted with the way the team played.

Speaking after the game, she said: “It was a really good way to sign off the league season. The girls worked extremely hard and stuck at their jobs! We got the result that we came for and we did it brilliantly.

“There was loads of pressure on us to win the game to keep our hopes of staying in that league alive.

“The girls turned up to the game as they usually do, full of banter and ready to try and get another three points. As soon as we stepped on to the pitch we had to forget about everything and just concentrate on the game.”

Heading into the Reserve cup competition Whit is joint top scorer in the reserve team.

She added: “It was good to just get a goal to be honest, but scoring the winning goal just made it even better!

“Amy Taylor’s goal was also great today, she had literally just come on and her first touch was to volley the ball into the back of the net.

“I am proud of being top joint goal scorer. Going from never scoring in the past few seasons to being joint top goal scorers for the ressies is quality.

The Reserve cup kicks in during the next few weeks and the reserves will be going all out to make the knock-out stages.

The 22-year-old said: “Yeah I am very confident. We can beat anyone on our day and I’m sure we will beat Charlton and Millwall. We want to get some silver wear this season, so this is a great opportunity to get some and show everyone that we have had quite a successful season!

Looking back at the season Whit believes it has been the hardest yet, but hailed manager Becky Lyon for having such a positive impact at a time when they were struggling.

She added: “This season has been very tough. For our first season in this league we have done quite well I think. We were finding it really hard until Bex took over and then we started picking up results and getting points.

“Bex has been amazing for us, she has got every bodies confidence back up, got the team spirit going really strong again.

“If we had her from day one, we would have definitely not been in the situation that we are in now. I am just hoping that Arsenal smash Watford so the players and Bex get another crack at this league. We deserve to without a doubt.

“The way the girls played today was fantastic and all of them have had a brilliant season. Bex has had a quality first season in her managerial role and Daisy has been a little diamond as well. I am so proud to be a part of the ressies this season. They are a quality bunch of girls and I love them all… Gilllllssssssss!”