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Gillingham chairman Paul Scally says they are discussing wages with players while manager Steve Evans is believed to have taken a pay cut

Gillingham are in discussions with their playing staff over wages while manager Steve Evans is understood to be taking a pay cut.

Several League 1 sides have furloughed playing staff to cut costs during the crisis while a joint statement last week from the PFA and the EFL suggested clubs defer 25% pay from their top earners in April.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally says they are running out of money Picture: Ady Kerry
Gillingham chairman Paul Scally says they are running out of money Picture: Ady Kerry

It’s been reported that the Gills chairman has already been negotiating with players about an agreement over their wages for the next few months, with Mr Scally saying that money will run out shortly.

Evans is believed to have given up a large portion of his pay, rather than a deferral, to further help the club in what is a tough time for sport globally.

The Gills manager did not want to comment on his own situation but praised the work of the chairman and chief exec Tom Lawrence.

Evans said: “The chairman has worked really hard, himself and Tom Lawrence have been burning the midnight oil and all credit to them.”

Gillingham haven’t had a home game since the end of February and if the season does resume it’s likely to be played behind closed doors.

The Gills have been handed early payments from the Premier League and an offer of a loan, but neither option will help the club long term.

Mr Scally, speaking on TalkSport, said they “probably have another month or two” before money would run out.

He added: “It all depends on the players and we are in heavy discussions with those.”

He also said that “there a number of players, not at Gillingham but throughout the country, that are not seemingly getting it.”

Several club chairman have come out in recent days calling for the season to be ended now, including Wycombe’s Rob Couhig.

The American said: “I don’t understand how we finish the season,” and that playing behind closed doors made no financial sense.

He added: “I’m not going to stand up on my high horse and say I’m not going to play, but it sure as heck makes no sense to me.”

Accrington chairman Andy Holt has said he is also in favour of ending it now and that they may have to forfeit games if it continues.

He said: “It will cost us half a million pounds to finish this season, if that’s what the EFL decide they want to do.

“I would rather use that money on rebuilding for next season instead of spending three more months now watching it die.

“I hope it doesn’t come to this but maybe it will get to the point where we are losing points because we have not fielded a team.”

The Gills have said they want the season to continue and Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony made his own views crystal clear, slamming those who want to end it now.

He said: “I’ve seen people out there on social media, people I usually respect, saying the EFL should pay us to play these nine games, that we are not bothered about playing them and if we do play them we will use kids.

“These people should grow some ***** and say it for what it is. They’ve gone into self-preservation mode.”

He’s been backed by promotion challengers Sunderland, saying on twitter: “Had a lovely email from Sunderland AFC directors this morning stating their appreciation/full support of my message on finishing our season when it’s possible.”

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