Action from the Gills match against Accrington

by Jenni Horn

Gills chairman Paul Scally has defended the club’s decision to offer cheap coach travel instead of giving fans their money back as promised.

Boss Andy Hessenthaler pledged to pay back hundreds of dedicated supporters who travelled to Accrington last month, when Gills lost 4-3.

After 10 days of waiting to find out how they could get their money reimbursed, fans were told on Wednesday that instead of a refund they would in fact be offered cheap coach travel Plymouth on March 3.

Since the announcement was made, the club has ammended the offer to a £20 voucher towards coach travel to any away league game this season.

The offer sparked an angry reaction from some fans who branded it as worthless and "a joke".

Chairman Paul Scally has defended Hess, who he said made the offer in a moment of high emotion.

He added: "It was moments after he had come out of the dressing room. He said something in the spirit of the moment when he was very disappointed with the players’ performance in the first half of the game. People have to take that into account.

"It was an offer from the heart, a genuine gesture. He didn’t sit down and plan what he was going to do.

"It has to be taken in the manner it was intended. If people don’t want to do that then they are not true supporters."

"It was an admirable gesture from him and the players. I’m disappointed that there are some that have turned it into something other than the way it was intended."

Mr Scally said the club has already had around 400 calls from people claiming they were at the match, when in fact there were only 261 fans at the game.

He said: "When we do offers like this there are people who make mischief and try to benefit from it. Unfortunately, that’s just a fact of life and a sign of the time perhaps.

"I’ve suggested to Hessy never to make an offer like this again, because clearly it’s been misinterpreted and mishandled. I’ve said to him it just isn’t worth the effort. It won’t ever happen again."

Hess also spoke about the offer this morning. He said: "We can’t keep everyone happy but I’ve done it with good intent after the game because I felt for the fans, that’s how it is and we move on now as far as I’m concerned."

To receive their voucher, supporters must visit the club’s ticket office by Wednesday, February 29, with a match or coach ticket, a train ticket or a receipt from the motorway services.