Gillingham chairman Paul Scally has apologised to season ticket holders after some experienced delays trying to get into Priestfield at the weekend.

Many season ticket holders reported long queues to enter the ground before the match against Colchester United on Saturday.

It comes in the wake of controversial terms and conditions for the tickets that are now being enforced by the Gills.

To gain entry to the ground on match days, fans must now present their season ticket book, match voucher and an ID card.

If a season ticket holder cannot make a game and wants a family member or friend to go in their place they will have to go to the ticket office and pay £5 for a guest ticket.

In the past many fans have handed their ticket to friends or family when they were unable to attend.

In a message posted on the club’s website, Mr Scally said: “I would like to offer my sincere apologies for the problems many of you experienced on entering the stadium last Saturday.

"Unfortunately a management decision was taken, of which I was unaware until 14.45pm, to limit gates of entry for Season Ticket Holders.

"As soon as I became aware I instructed that all gates should allow access, but unfortunately the damage had been done by that stage.

"The original decision was well intended but clearly flawed in implementation. Needless to say Season Ticket Holders may use all entry points for their relevant stands in future."

One of those who was affected was Medway Stand season ticket holder Pete Hadley.

In an email to the club he wrote: "Season ticket holders were told to join a lengthy single queue at the turnstile leaving all others turnstiles empty and free to be used by match day tickets only.

"This made us feel like second class supporters, or inhabitants of some non-European residence trying to get through passport control at Gatwick.

"In my opinion, the club should treat season ticket holders as its most valuable asset and treat their loyalty with more respect than the above."