Gillingham FC Academy 2024-25

Highlights from the Gillingham FC Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.

Based in Kent, Gillingham FC Academy runs a category 3 academy.

  • Academy Manager: Bryan Bull

Gillingham Academy Scholars 2024/25

  1. Fletcher Hegarty (Goalkeeper)
  2. Joe Orpwood ( Defender)
  3. Kacper Kot (Defender)
  4. Zack Broadbent (Defender)
  5. Cruz Beszant (Midfielder)
  6. Louie Dayal (Midfielder)
  7. Michael Luxton (Midfielder)
  8. Stan Sargent (Forward)
  9. Zack Whitelock (Forward)

Gillingham Academy Players On Loan 2024/25

Youth players on loan.

  1. Sam Gale (Defender) Chelmsford City
  2. Stanley Skipper (Midfielder) Bowers & Pitsea
  3. Alex Giles (Defender) Aveley FC
  4. Joshua Bayliss (Forward) Margate FC
  5. Taite Holtam (Goalkeeper) Herne Bay; Phoenix; Ashford United
  6. Harry Waldock (Midfielder) Ashford United
  7. Harry Webster (Defender) Chatham
  8. Harry Bridle (Forward) Herne Bay; Whitehawk
  9. Ben White (Midfielder) Sutton Athletic
  10. Ben Clark (Midfielder) Deal Town
  11. Logan Dobbs (Defender) Burgess Hill Town

Gillingham Academy Products in 1st Team 2024/25

  1. Joseph Gbode (Forward) #29
  2. Sam Gale (Defender) #30
  3. Alex Giles (Defender) #31
  4. Taite Holtam (Goalkeeper) #33
  5. Stanley Skipper (Midfielder) #43
  6. Harry Webster (Defender) #40
  7. Harry Waldock (Midfielder) #42

Academy International Players 2024/25

  1. Joe Orpwood ( Defender) Northern Ireland U17

Gillingham Academy Competitions For 2024/25

U17 Professional Development League Cup

The U17 Professional Development League Cup is an English youth football tournament created for players aged 17 and under.

U17 PDL Plate 8th Finals

  1. Won at home against Huddersfield Town U17 (5 – 0)

U17 PDL Plate Quarter-Finals

  1. Lost at home against AFC Wimbledon U17 (2 – 1)
    • Louie Dayal

U18 Youth Alliance Cup

The EFL Youth Alliance Cup is a youth football tournament in England, organized by the English Football League (EFL). It features under-18 teams from League One and League Two clubs that compete in the EFL Youth Alliance, the league system for these academies.

The competition follows a format like the EFL Trophy, beginning with a regional group stage before progressing to a national knockout phase.

Designed to foster young talent at lower-tier EFL clubs, the tournament provides a structured competitive environment beyond regular league matches.

In the group stage, Gillingham U18 are drawn in Group H against under-18 teams from Sutton United, Bromley, Leyton Orient and AFC Wimbledon.

U18 Youth Alliance Cup Group Stage

  1. Won away against Bromley U18 (2 – 0)
  2. Drew at home against Leyton Orient U18 (2 – 2)
  3. Won at home against AFC Wimbledon U18 (3 – 2)
  4. Lost away against Sutton United U18 (3 – 1)

Gillingham Academy News

19th October 2024

In the 1st round of the FA Youth Cup, Gillingham have been drawn at home to Charlton Athletic.

28th October 2024

After beating Charlton Athletic at home in the first round 4-3, Gillingham has secured a place in the second round of the FA Youth Cup.

1st November 2024

Gillingham U18s have been drawn at home against Swindon Town in the 2nd round of the FA Youth Cup. Match to be played on Tuesday the 19th of November.

15th November 2024

In the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup, Gillingham have been drawn away to Queens Park Rangers if they win their match against Swindon Town.

19th November 2024

The FA Youth Cup journey came to an end for Gillingham after a second-round loss 1 – 2 at home to Swindon Town.

30th December 2024

Sam Gale makes his first league debut against AFC Wimbledon.

5th January 2025

Gillingham U18s triumphed 2-1 over Hartlepool in their final group match of the U18 Alliance Cup.

This victory secured their position at the top of the group and a place in the Northern quarterfinals, with goals from Harry Ward and Harvey Booth.

13th January 2025

Alex Giles has been recalled from his loan spell at Aveley, where he made 13 appearances across all competitions for the National League South team.

1st February 2025

Nayan Grant has secured a scholarship with Gillingham Academy following a successful trial.

Previously, he played for Tonbridge Angels and has represented Bermuda at the Under-15 and Under-17 levels.

Damien Theodore also joined the Gillingham academy from Burgess Hill.

27th April 2025

Harry Webster has won the Gillingham FC Academy Player of the Year for the 2024/25 season.

10th May 2025

Gillingham Football Club held the Academy Player of the Year Awards in the Great Hall on Saturday evening for U9’s to U16s age groups.

14th May 2025

Released Youth Players

  1. Jimmy Heasman
  2. Carter Sullivan
  3. Ben White
  4. Alex Giles (Joins Chatham)