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Gillingham chairman Paul Scally offers fans money back as he meets them on their doorsteps

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally says he has personally offered disgruntled season-ticket holders their money back after knocking on their doors.

Mr Scally claims to have written cheques totalling £10,000 from his own bank account by visiting fans at their homes and work places after they asked for refunds on social media.

As yet, none of the cheques have been cashed, says the chairman.

“It’s been an interesting week,” said Mr Scally, who has threatened to quit the club over fan criticism.

“Most evenings and some afternoons, I have been out delivering back money to people from my personal bank account, to people who have said that if I appoint Steve Evans, for instance, they want their season ticket money back.

“I have probably written out a total of £10,000 of refunds so far, which won’t affect the income of the club.

"I have been to these people’s houses or their places of work in two instances.”

Mr Scally claims to have got a different response from those fans when greeting them on their doorsteps.

He told KentOnline: “Every single person has said that they didn’t actually mean what they said, they don’t want to cancel their season tickets and would be coming to the club next season.

"I have made the point and asked ‘why did you post what you did?’ and this illustrates in a small way why social media can be so dangerous.

“I think people do put postings anonymously or otherwise on social media that perhaps they don’t really mean.

“It has been an interesting exercise because I have actually met some interesting people and it's been somewhat unexpected for those whose doors I have been knocking on.

“They have all taken my money but nobody has cashed a cheque yet.”

New Gillingham manager Steve Evans. Picture: Barry Goodwin
New Gillingham manager Steve Evans. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Mr Scally launched a strongly-worded rebuke to his critics earlier this week, claiming those fans giving him abuse were “a form of cancer that I am not sure I can heal.”

He continued: “I think it is important and I have been able to understand and talk to some of these people and I have invited some of them to come along to the forum to meet the manager on June 3.

“I think, firstly when they have got over the shock of me knocking on their door, they have opened up and I have had some interesting discussions.

“It doesn’t change my view as to where I am [with regards to quitting] but it doesn’t surprise me because I don’t believe half of these people mean what they say.

“I still have another 20-or so calls to make and I do it based on where I am and where I am travelling. If I am going past, I knock on their door and see what happens and it is very interesting.”

Did you receive a visit from Mr Scally? Get in touch by emailing news@thekmgroup.co.uk.

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