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Gillingham chairman Paul Scally hopes fan support can help achieve success in League 1

Chairman Paul Scally hopes a packed Priestfield will help Gillingham mount a promotion push next season.

Season ticket prices have been slashed for the 2019/20 campaign in a bid to attract fans back to the club.

The Gills look to be winning the battle against relegation this season and Mr Scally hopes better times are around the corner.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally at Peterborough on Saturday Picture: Ady Kerry (8318153)
Gillingham chairman Paul Scally at Peterborough on Saturday Picture: Ady Kerry (8318153)

He said: “The aim next season, as in all seasons, is to mount a successful promotion push.

“On many occasions this season we have gone toe to toe with the best teams in the division and shown we have quality in our team.

“If we can produce this on a more regular basis I can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be able to target a top six finish.

“With our 12th man (the fans) behind us I truly believe it can be done.”

Season tickets in the Rainham End are down from £375 this season to £300 for the coming campaign. The discounted price is for adults and over-65s.

That works out at £13 a game, a saving of £11 per match, or £253 over a season.

Gillingham hope to pack Priestfield with their new ticket pricing Picture: Ady Kerry
Gillingham hope to pack Priestfield with their new ticket pricing Picture: Ady Kerry

Gills chairman Paul Scally said: “We are taking a radical position in the hope that those supporters that haven’t been attending regularly will re-engage and be part of our journey.

“This is part of a number of initiatives we are going to be launching to help pack Priestfield and to improve the matchday experience for fans.

“It’s a big move by the club financially and we hope that all those that care about this great football club appreciate that, and take up the opportunity to come back and follow the team on a regular basis.

“I look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to Priestfield in August.”

Gillingham hope to see more scenes like this at Priestfield next season Picture: Andy Payton
Gillingham hope to see more scenes like this at Priestfield next season Picture: Andy Payton

Pre-match adult tickets were £22 last season, rising to £24 in most areas on the day of the game. Standard admission remains at £24 next season with no on the day increase.

Prices are down at least 10% in all areas of the ground. Earl-bird adult season tickets, which are available until the end of this month start from £305 (£265 over-65s) in the Gordon Road Stand and from £340 (£300 over-65s) in the Medway Stand.

This year’s average attendance is currently 4,900 although that should go up with some big games coming up at Priestfield, including the visit of two relegation threatened sides and play-off chasing Charlton.

Home support is averaging at just over 4,000 and crowds have been dropping for the last three seasons.

Gillingham hope to get more fans attending home games next season Picture: Ady Kerry
Gillingham hope to get more fans attending home games next season Picture: Ady Kerry

The average attendance for the 2015/16 season was more than 6,300. Gillingham have had four games this season where less than 4,000 people were in attendance, including away fans.

The news of the price reductions have been well received by Gills fans, following a unique social media reveal.

Players and staff took part in a four-part video to promote the new prices, with chairman Paul Scally and others ‘held to ransom’ by the players.

The club are aiming for 3,000 season ticket holders next season.

The Gills are also revamping their family enclosure in the Medway Stand. Work will start in the summer. A combined adult and under-12 ticket costs £360 (£15.65 a game) with additional under-12s costing £30 a season.

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