Gillingham entered the Football League in 1920 but United and the Gills had to wait until 1979 when the two clubs came together. Our first meeting came in Division Three on 10 November and resulted in a 4-0 home win for United with two goals for Barry Butlin and one each for the in famous Alex Sabella and Len de Goey. Later in the season the Blades would lose by three goals to nil at the Priestfield Stadium.
The following season Sheffield United, guided by managers Harry Haslam and later former 1966 World Cup Winner Martin Peters suffered their worst season as a Football Club when they were relegated into the Fourth tier, along the way they drew 2-2 with the Gills in Kent and lost 0-1 in S2. United however bounced back at the first attempt and were reunited for the 1982/83 and 1983/84 Third Division campaigns.
On 28 October 1980 the Blades and the Gills drew by two goals a piece at the Priestfield Stadium. A report in The Times newspaper read; 'Houston, the Sheffield United defender collided with a linesman and knocked him over in the 2-2 draw at Gillingham. The teams left the field whilst a strecher was called for and the linesman Mr L. Archer was carried off. The game restarted after 10 minutes with a local official taking place.' Later in the season the Blades lost 0-1 at home to Gillingham without a manger - Harry Haslem had left the club the previous day but they would soon find a replacement in the form of 1966 World Cup Winner Martin Peters.
In 1984 United were promoted to the Second Division, finishing third behind Champions Oxford United and Wimbledon but after five seasons in the second tier were relegated and this started a famous revival by the Blades, they lost to the Gills 2-1 away from home but won convincingly 4-2 at Bramall Lane. United were promoted two successive years running as they climbed there way to the top Division in English Football and would have to wait until the Millennium till they met again...
In recent years Sheffield United has returned a decent record, below are the results and reports from these games, including a hat-trick from a pint-sized striker...
21 September 2002 - Gillingham 1 Sheffield United 2
Sheffield United traveled to Priestfield Stadium in search of a fourth game unbeaten run, they did so when The Chief found a goal on hour mark. After 5 minutes a United free-kick was cleared by Gillingham defenders, United got a corner but was cleared. Rob Ullathorne had a shot on goal but his chance just went wide of goal. The Blades came close to scoring after 11 minutes when Wayne 'The Chief' Allison's low cross almost found Peter Ndlovu but he could not quite get to ball.
Gillingham took the lead when Saunders won the ball off Michael Brown in centre circle who put Paul Shaw through and slotted home from 12 yards out. United improved their play despite being behind, Michael Brown's shot was deflect wide by Ndlovu as he got in way. Michael Brown's driving free-kick after 25 minutes went out for a corner but was cleared after the corner was taken.
Moments later the Blades came very close to a leveler but Peter Ndlovu's shot skimmed across goal when no one was their to knock it in. Neither side seemed to be getting in any chances until five minutes to half-time when a Gillingham cross nearly gave Shaw an open goal but United somehow managed to clear. Just before half-time whistle was blown, Peter Ndlovu looked to score but his 6 yard out effort smashed against the crossbar.
United started off better that their opponents in the second half and almost scored when McCall's over head hit was volleyed wide by Tonge. Gillingham came close after Kenny made a goalkeeping mistake but United somehow cleared. United again nearly scored when Michael Tonge tried to square the ball across goal but Tonge fired wide when his cross rebounded back to him.
Not long after United finally got their goal, Their was a pile up of players in box, Shaun Murphy and Ndlovu headers were twice brilliantly saved by Brown but their was Wayne Allison to bang home to make it 1-1. United made their first substitution on 69th minute with Paul Peschisolido coming on for Nick Montgomery. A minute later Mark Saunders 6 yard header was beautifully saved by Paddy Kenny.
Moments later Tonge's cross could not reach Ndlovu and was cleared for a corner, it was taken by McCall and was cleared by defenders and Allison volleyed wide. Brown made a fantastic save when Peter Ndlovu produced a firing shot after 83 minutes. Late on Leon Johnson and Jones Awuah came on for David Perpetuini and Guy Ipoua. Gillingham tried to find a winner as did United but each side defended well and it ended a draw.
25 March 2003 - Sheffield United 2 Gillingham 2
Substitute Paul Peschisolido scored his first league goal of the season to rescue a point for play-off hopefuls Sheffield United against Gillingham at Bramall Lane. Peschisolido pounced with 10 minutes remaining but on a night when the Blades discovered they will play Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-finals, their performance was distinctly average against a team who conceded six at Wolves on Saturday. In-form striker Steve Kabba prodded United into an undeserved lead with his fifth goal in eight games just before the break before Andy Hessenthaler's team turned the game on its head with goals from Simon Osborn and Paul Shaw.
However, they could not hold on as the hosts stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight games. But, on this form, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will not be too worried when his team meet United at Old Trafford on April 13 as the Blades appeared slow and lethargic for much of the game and only wasteful finishing from the visitors kept them from defeat. Kabba had a low shot blocked by the legs of Vince Bartram before opening the scoring, sweeping the ball home from close range following Michael Brown's downward header from a Michael Tonge corner.
Gillingham drew level after 52 minutes. Nayron Nosworthy skipped down the right and his low cross was allowed to run across the box before Osborn thumped the ball home from 12 yards. Gillingham nosed in front with 21 minutes remaining when Nicky Southall's thumping drive from 25 yards was parried low to his right by goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and Shaw was on hand to net the rebound. Mamady Sidibe should have made the game safe but another glaring miss let United off the hook and it proved costly after 80 minutes when Peschisolido turned smartly in the box to toe-poke the ball home from 10 yards following Tonge's low ball in from the left.
9 August 2003 - Sheffield United 0 Gillingham 0
The Blades game at Bramall Lane against Gillingham ended 0-0 as both sides battled out a dull game in the soaring heat wave. Chances for either team were few and far between but it was Michael Tonge who came the closest for Sheffield United. His stunning 30 yard free-kick looked destined for bottom corner before Gills keeper Jason Brown pared the shot away. Throughout the game the visitors were nothing special but did enough to frustrate the Bramall Lane crowed of over 21,000.
After the break the game opened up a little but did not match the excitement that the Blades can produce. New signing Chris Morgan came close to scoring on his debut but his header scraped the post after Tonge delivered a fine corner. The Gills responded with a chance of there own, Danny Spiller let fly a 25 yard shot but took the ting out of it when it smashed against Peter Ndlovu which then caused Paddy Kenny any problems. United went quickly into the game and Jason Brown did well to stop Brown's shot.
John Hills blazed wide for the visitors, who were then indebted to keeper Brown when he tipped Tonge's brilliant free-kick around the post. Warnock sent on new striker Ashley Ward for Wayne Allison just after the hour but he too made little headway. The visitors began to grow in confidence late on with a swerving cross by Mark Saunders forcing Blades keeper Paddy Kenny into action before Nayron Nosworthy shot weakly wide.
And it was Andy Hessenthaler's side who looked just as likely as the game entered the final stages with new Blades defender Chris Armstrong doing well to block Paul Shaw's rifled shot. Gills keeper Brown saved well again from another long-range effort from Tonge, before Phil Jagielka and then Blades skipper Robert Page were forced to clear their decks as the action switched from end to end. Tommy Johnson and United substitute Andy Parkinson - another close-season signing - traded shots from outside the area but with the Gills midfield squeezing the life out of Tonge, Brown and Rankine, neither side possessed the guile necessary to break the deadlock.
10 January 2004 - Gillingham 0 Sheffield United 3
Paul Peschisolido claimed the match ball after his first ever hat-trick for United paved the way for this impressive victory. It helped make up for the loss of injured Dean Sturridge and suspended Ashley Ward, and he was the difference between the two sides on the night. His treble came in the space of 28 minutes either side of half time, after United survived a typical Gillingham start, which kept goalkeeper Paddy Kenny busy. He kept out efforts by Mamady Sidibe, debut-boy Darius Henderson and Chris Hope.
United finally found their feet and began to dominate with Jack Lester and Peschisolido going close. Henderson, signed from Reading on the eve of the FA Cup tie against Charlton tried hard to impress. He had a great chance to celebrate his first goal but headed wide from Danny Spiller's cross. Then Spiller himself, so impressive against Charlton, produced a superb 30-yard strike that crashed off the bar with Kenny rooted to the sport.
However, three minutes later Peschisolido broke the deadlock with a typical striker's goal. A long kick by Kenny was helped on by Allison and the little Canadian jinked his way into the box to fire past Nico Vaesen. Peschisolido's contribution proved the difference between the two sides. He might not have been in the starting line up had other players been available but he certainly proved Neil Warnock correct to select him alongside Allison, with Lester playing behind the front two. Defender Phil Jagielka set up the second on 58 minutes. His cross was headed down by Michael Tonge for Peschisolido, the smallest striker on the pitch to stoop forward and convert.
Eight minutes later he got the third, firing home from a narrow angle, having moments earlier needed treatment following a challenge by John Hills.The third goal capped United's victory but they could have got a fourth. Lester hit a post and then Peschisolido laid on another chance only for Vaesen to pull off a good save. Warnock confirmed that Paul Shaw is set to complete his move to Bramall Lane in a £75,000 deal between the clubs on Monday. Meanwhile, Hessenthaler continues to search for additions to his squad with Sidibe now on African Cup of Nations duty with Mali.
17 October 2004 - Gillingham 1 Sheffield United 3
Paul Shaw hit a brace against his former club to help earn 10-man Sheffield United a deserved victory over struggling Gillingham at Priestfield. Shaw struck either side of half-time to take his tally to four goals in three matches, before Michael Tonge's fine breakaway strike looked like settling the outcome. Blades skipper Chris Morgan was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for a clash with Gills striker Darius Henderson and Leigh Bromby scored an own-goal to set up a tense finish.
But the visitors managed to kill the game off to pick up their second win in seven league matches. Andy Hessenthaler's Gillingham have now gone seven matches without a win, have lost their last five games and have a battle on their hands if they are to extend their stay at this level of football. United were without suspended top-scorer Andy Gray but Shaw, who is back in favour with manager Neil Warnock following a loan move to Rotherham earlier this season, made sure the Scotland international was not missed. It was a low-key opening with both teams seemingly low on confidence. However, the Blades played the better football and took the lead on nine minutes.
Full-back Bromby's long throws have been a useful attacking weapon for United all season and proved to be so again, the former Sheffield Wednesday man launching the ball into the area for Morgan to flick on to the far post, where Shaw was lurking to produce a fine improvised finish. Warnock's men came close to doubling their lead less than a minute later but Danny Cadamarteri failed to get off the mark for his new club, firing straight at Banks after he had brought Andy Liddell's cross down on his chest.
The Gills went close when Adam Nowland's long-range volley forced a good save from Paddy Kenny following Phil Jagielka's loose clearance. But Shaw was a constant threat and was only thwarted by a fine low save by Banks after good interplay with Paul Thirlwell. However from Tonge's resulting corner, Banks had to rely on Andrew Crofts to clear Morgan's glancing header off the line. The Blades came out after the break seemingly content to sit on their advantage but just before the hour Shaw extended their lead from close range.
The 31-year-old was in the right place to capitalise after Chris Hope failed to clear Liddell's cross and scored with a low finish into the bottom right corner to give Gillingham a mountain to climb. United showed real class to extend their lead with 20 minutes remaining, Shaw starting a break with a sweeping ball right to Liddell, who cut infield into Gills territory and fed Tonge, who rifled a shot in at Banks' near post. But just two minutes later they were down to 10 men after Morgan was sent off for a second bookable offence after tangling with Henderson. Bromby diverted Nowland's cross past Kenny with 15 minutes to go to give the Gills some hope but it proved merely a consolation.
6 November 2005 - Sheffield United 0 Gillingham 0
Gillingham clung on for a vital point as Neil Warnock's side missed a hatful of chances. United, whose unbeaten seven-match league run ended with a 5-1 mauling at promotion rivals Ipswich in midweek, started in positive fashion with Jon Harley twice foiled by Jason Brown. The ex-Fulham defender, playing in a midfield role, powered in a left-foot drive from 22 yards which was punched away by the Gillingham keeper before Brown had to scamper across the face of his goal to turn away Harley's cross-cum-shot.
United, pushing for an early opener, were caught on the break by lively Mali striker Mamady Sidibe. His low cross from the left evaded the United back four and Darius Henderson stretched but just failed to connect at the far post. Harley was again involved in the 14th minute after full-back Leigh Bromby slotted the ball neatly into his path, but from the edge of the area the little midfielder fired high over the top. Danny Cadamarteri, quiet for the opening period, exploded into life on 30 minutes unleashing a ferocious shot from 20 yards which flashed wide of the near post.
Cadamarteri almost found a way through minutes before the interval with a low drive which took a deflection but Brown turned at the last minute to smother the ball. Gillingham were pegged back in their own half for long periods and had to wait until the 77th minute for another strike at the United goal. Sidibe stretched to meet Andy Hessenthaler's free-kick but from close range he managed to pull his header wide. Skipper Chris Morgan almost snatched a winner in injury time but his snap shot from 18 yards flashed a fraction wide of the target before Bromby fired in a long-range effort inches over the top.
16 November 2013 - Sheffield United 1 Gillingham 2
Gillingham recorded only their second away win of the season with Danny Kedwell and Cody McDonald scoring in a 2-1 victory at Sheffield United. Chris Porter found the net for the hosts, but the Blades slipped to a second defeat in four games under boss Nigel Clough. Harry Maguire's under-hit back pass led to the opening goal with keeper George Long's attempted clearance, under pressure from Kedwell, rebounding off the striker and going into the net.
The home side applied pressure with Porter heading off target and Simon Lappin having a shot touched wide by Gills keeper Stuart Nelson. Neill Collins also had a header cleared off the goal-line by Elliott Hewitt shortly before Porter equalised with a header from Lappin's corner in the 19th minute. Blades striker Shaun Miller tried a shot on the turn which was saved by Nelson.
But Gillingham regained the lead two minutes after the re-start when substitute McDonald followed up to score after John Mousinho's header rebounded off the crossbar. United's best chance to equalise fell to Porter, who headed wide, while both he and Miller also fired off target.
19 February 2014 - Gillingham 0 Sheffield United 1 (by Sheffield Star)
Much has changed since Sheffield United's last appearance at Priestfield Stadium. Then, nearly a decade ago, the visitors were dreaming of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur after strikes from Paul Shaw and Michael Tonge propelled them to within touching distance of the Championship play-offs. Nine seasons and ten managers later, Nigel Clough's side arrived in Gillingham desperate to avoid making the acquaintance of Accrington Stanley and Northampton Town. This result, delivered courtesy of Conor Coady's goal, represented a potentially significant breakthrough in their battle for League One survival. The on-loan midfielder threaded home during the closing stages of a hard-fought first half and, with Peter Taylor's team unable to prise apart a rearguard expertly marshalled by Neill Collins and Harry Maguire, the visitors lifted themselves out of the bottom four ahead of Saturday's crucial encounter with fellow strugglers Bristol City.
United, despite beating Aston Villa, Fulham and Nottingham Forest en route to the FA Cup quarter-finals, had made the long journey south only four points and two places above the foot of the table. It does not take a genius to fathom why. United started the evening having played 21 hours of league football on the road this season and Coady's clinical finish was only the ninth time they had scored. That statistic, combined with the fact this was only their second triumph in the competition away from home this season, laid bare the main reason behind their perilous predicament, despite enjoying an improvement both in terms of performances and results since Clough's appointment in place of David Weir in October. But a combative and disciplined display against Taylor's charges gave no indication of United's difficulties away from home. Indeed, as the match ebbed towards its conclusion, it was Clough's players who posed the greater threat, although Leon Legge should have done better when presented with a late chance to equalise.
With new signing Ben Davies named and then duly removed from their starting 11 after being delayed by traffic, Clough asked Billy Paynter and Chris Porter to spearhead United's attack after warning of the physical threat Gillingham pose. John Brayford's absence due to a slight muscle strain also meant Matt Hill was recalled and the former Bristol City defender was immediately forced to go shoulder to shoulder with Bayo Akinfenwa as Clough's suspicions proved correct. Connor Smith, on loan from Watford, forged Gillingham's first real opening but his low shot from the edge of the area was comfortably saved by Mark Howard. With Paynter and Porter patrolling Stuart Nelson's penalty box, United's ability to provide quality service would have a crucial bearing on how they fared against powerful opponents.Ryan Flynn, enjoying his best spell of form since arriving at Bramall Lane three years ago, swept two dangerous centres across the Gillingham goal but neither were touched home.
Taylor's side, comfortably positioned in midtable after gaining promotion last term, continued to take a more direct route, with debutant Ryan Inniss profiting from Akinfenwa's ability to keep defender's at bay before flashing a low drive just past Howard's far post. Chris Morgan, now a member of Clough's coaching staff and United's sole survivor of that convincing 3-1 victory in October 2004, will have appreciated Collins' willingness to engage with Akinfenwa as he watched the action unfold from the technical area. His manager, cutting a predictably agitated figure on the touchline, will have enjoyed Bob Harris' ability to find Porter with a perfectly-weighted pass only for the assistant referee's flag to intervene.
The left-back's determination to drive forward helped United apply sustained pressure on Gillingham's rearguard midway through the opening period. A neat interchange with Paynter presented Harris, who later went close from a free-kick, with the chance to test Nelson but his shot, in the 27th minute, was blocked. Likewise a venomous volley from Michael Doyle soon after as United began to turn the screw. Coady made no mistake six minutes before the interval when he claimed his fourth goal of the season and second in as many games following a frantic exchange. Porter struck the woodwork from six yards out and, when the ball bounced loose, Flynn seized the chance to pick out the midfielder who showed excellent composure to steer home. Although the first hald will not live long in the memory of those who witnessed it, Clough must have been satisfied with his team's efforts during the half-time break. Akinfenwa had, predictably, been a handful throughout the game.
But Cody McDonald, Gillingham's leading scorer, made little impression until wastefully dragging wide before Akinfenwa hacked clear to prevent Maguire from doubling United's advantage. Harris' accuracy from corners continued to pose the hosts problems, with Maguire seeing a header deflected on to the roof of the netm and Paynter seeing another attempt hacked off the line just past the hour. With Davies introduced soon after, fellow substitutes Jose Baxter and Jamie Murphy nearly combined on the counter-attack but Michael Harriman intervened. Legge headed straight at Howard following Nelson's long clearance. But, that brief scare apart, United comfortably held on for a priceless victory.
Statistics.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | |
| Bramall Lane | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 10 |
| Priestfield Stadium | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 17 |
| Total | 22 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 33 | 27 |
* up to and including 21 September 2014.
Results.
1979/80 - Division 3
10 Nov - Blades 4 Gillingham 0
22 Mar - Gillingham 3 Blades 0
1980/81 - Division 3
28 Oct - Gillingham 2 Blades 2
17 Jan - Blades 0 Gillingham 1
1982/83 - Division 3
02 Oct - Blades 0 Gillingham 2
15 Mar - Gillingham 0 Blades 2
1983/84 - Division 3
27 Aug - Blades 4 Gillingham 0
14 Jan - Gillingham 4 Blades 2
1988/89 - Division 3
10 Sep - Gillingham 2 Blades 1
21 Jan - Blades 4 Gillingham 2
2000/01 - Division One
04 Nov - Blades 1 Gillingham 2
14 Apr - Gillingham 4 Blades 1
2001/02 - Division One
18 Aug - Blades 0 Gillingham 0
12 Jan - Gillingham 0 Blades 1
2002/03 - Division One
21 Sep - Gillingham 1 Blades 1
25 Mar - Blades 2 Gillingham 2
2003/04 - Division One
09 Aug - Blades 0 Gillingham 0
10 Jan - Gillingham 0 Blades 3
2004/05 - Championship
17 Oct - Gillingham 1 Blades 3
06 Nov - Blades 0 Gillingham 0
2013/14
16 Nov - Sheffield United 1 Gillingham 2
19 Feb - Gillingham 0 Sheffield United 1