Gills fans offered free tickets

Source:BBC

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally has offered free tickets to fans who went to Saturday's 5-0 defeat at Swindon.

It was Gillingham's sixth consecutive away loss and was described by a supporters club spokesman as one of the team's worst performances ever.

Mr Scally said he felt "physically sick" after watching the game, and had to leave 10 minutes from the end.

"I felt sorry for the supporters who travelled with us... they did not deserve to watch that," he said.

In a statement in which he apologised for the team's "disappointing" performance, Mr Scally said fans who had spent their "hard earned money" on the game would be offered two free tickets for a home match of their choice.

He also offered those who went to the game on the club's coaches a free place on the coach for the Carlisle game on 20 October.

"After two fiery performances it was difficult to see the team capitulate and to play without the same level of passion, hard work and pride that made our last two games so memorable," he said.

In September, Gillingham manager Ronnie Jepson resigned, after the club lost five of its first six games of the season.

Assistant manager Mick Docherty and first-team coach Iffy Onuora have been in temporary charge since 10 September.

Mr Scally said on Sunday he hoped to fill the vacancy next week, adding it was time for a new manager "with fresh ideas and fresh thinking".

Alan Liptrott, of the Gills Independent Supporters Club, said Saturday's game was one of the worst he had ever seen, and the offer of free tickets was "unprecedented".

But he said any potential manager appointed by Mr Scally should be looking for "a whole new team".

Scally might not everbodys cup of tea, but have to give him credit for reimbursing those loyal fans who trravel around the country, spending hard earned money and then have to put up with crap performances. Good Job Torquay didn't do that last year, they'd have been paying out every week.

Just think that it's good that a Chairman is doing something a little bit more positive for a change.

I've seen one or two other clubs doing a similar thing in the past. I've never seen a chaiman quite present the reason why like that though, he must be really worried the fans will ditch the club & switch over to Maidstone United or something