Gillingham

Last season there were two divisions between Gillingham and Oxford, and the sides haven't met as equals since 2000, when the Gills did the double over United on their way to promotion to the Second Division. Gillingham's place in United's history was confirmed in August 2001, when they became the first opponents to play under floodlights at the Kas.

Gillingham were formed as New Brompton in May 1893, just five months before Headington FC came into existence, and they immediately began playing at the site of the Priestfield stadium. It took just one year before the club turned professional and became founder members of the Southern League, winning the Second Division in 1895 and then in a 'test match' (an olde worlde equivalent of the play-offs) they endeared themselves to Headington supporters worldwide by beating Swindon Town 5-1 to win promotion.

In 1913 the club changed its name to Gillingham and seven years later became founder members of Division Three of the Football League. However, Gillingham weren't very good and in 1938 they failed in their application for re-election, having finished bottom of the Third Division South. Gillingham dropped back into the Southern League, where they did the double over Headington United in their first professional season, both games taking place in April 1950.

The following season Gillingham, who had finished fifth in the Southern League, rejoined the Football League when they were elected into the newly enlarged Third Division South. It took 14 years before the Gills found success at the higher level, winning the Fourth Division title on goal average from Carlisle United in 1964. They returned to the basement in 1971, but three years later won promotion again. Then, in 1987 Swindon won their revenge when they beat Gillingham 2-0 in a play-off final replay at Selhurst Park after a two-legged final. This knocked the stuffing out of the Gills and two years later they were relegated back to the bottom division. In 1993 Gillingham were almost relegated to the Conference, but a final-day victory over Halifax condemned the Shaymen to the drop instead.

In 1995 Gillingham entered into administration but they survived and won promotion to Division Three the following season. In 1999 they almost made it into the Second Division, but lost 3-1 on penalties to Manchester City in the play-off final at Wembley, following a 2-2 draw. However, they were not to be denied for long and the following season they again reached the play-off final, beating Wigan Athletic 3-2 after extra time to earn their promotion. They remained in Division Two until 2005, when their relegation was confirmed on the last day of the season, and in 2008 they dropped back into the basement. They were promoted the following season when they beat Shrewsbury Town 1-0 in the play-off final, but were relegated last season when every set of results on the final day went against them and they ended below Hartlepool United on goal difference.

Priestfield (or to give it its proper title the KRBS Priestfield Stadium, after sponsors Kent Reliance Building Society) has a capacity of 11,582 all seated. Away supporters sit in the uncovered temporary Brian Moore Stand, which doesn't look uncannily like the London Planetarium, surprisingly, although it does have a capacity of approximately 3,400. The Gills operate a split pricing structure, with games determined as either Category A or Category B. To confuse matters further, tickets purchased in advance are cheaper than those bought on the day. We've no idea into which category Oxford will fall, but for the sake of pessimism we'll assume it's the more expensive Category A. These cost