Gillingham Women are back playing in Medway this weekend after being handed a lifeline by Chatham Town chairman Kevin Hake.

The future of the Gillingham women’s team was in the balance this season as owner, chairman and manager Josh Oatham admitted he could no longer support the third-tier club on his own, appealing in July for a new owner.

Oatham had been in sole charge of the team since Gillingham Football Club's decision to no longer fund the women's section after a cost-cutting drive during the Covid pandemic.

Despite the turmoil and no home fixtures this season so far, the team has maintained a healthy position in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division - just two levels below the Super League.

Hake knows the growing appeal of the women’s game in this country - boosted by England's Euro 2022 success - and wanted to do what he could to ensure the team stayed afloat. They play their first game at Chatham this Sunday and entry is free.

“I saw the appeal (for a new owner) from Josh and we spoke some months ago about getting integrated,” Hake said.

“We reached out and said ‘can we help you?’ One thing led to another, we must have met up eight or nine times, talking about what we can do, how can we help and a lot of people in higher circles like (Chatham & Aylesford MP) Tracey Crouch reached out too and said ‘is there anything we could do?’”

As from last week, Hake has taken over as club chairman with Oatham staying on as team manager. Home games will be played at Chatham Town’s Bauvill Stadium.

Hake said: “They are a Medway team and if they are going to build anything it needs to be in Medway, for all the hard work Josh and other people have done, they are in the equivalent of League 1, the third tier of the women’s game and to see them go under would have been a travesty, especially seeing how the women’s game is growing and expanding so much in this country.

"The numbers of people watching games now is obscene, it is great to see, 'Her Game Too' is what we are all about.

“I have always said that football is a game that can be played and enjoyed by anyone, the women’s game is included in that and it has progressed so much. I am proud to be a part of it and make a little difference, that is what we hope to do, we hope to give them the stability to kick on.

“Josh has agreed to stay on as manager, which I am over the moon about, he deserves to playing in a stadium like (Chatham’s), infront of fans. He has put a lot of hard work in and enough respect to him and his team that he has involved, they deserve to be at a facility like this and now they can enjoy all the fruits that the men do.”

Gillingham Ladies sit seventh in the Southern Premier Division and host second-placed Oxford United this Sunday at Chatham, with a 2.30pm kick off.

The club hope to have a bumper attendance for the match, with season-ticket holders of Chatham's men’s team getting in for free for the rest of the season.

Hake said: “We have a record of 250 (for a women’s fixture) and we want to try and smash that. We want to create a similar atmosphere and vibe (as the men’s team), I think that helps. If we can create that vibe for the women that would be great because it definitely gives you an advantage.

“They haven’t played a home game yet so for them to be bubbling around mid-table is great. I think it is exciting times ahead for the women’s game and to have the team playing at our stadium is fantastic for us.”