Gillingham's game against Crawley Town next month has sold out in 24 hours after fans were asked to pay what they can.

The club announced that supporters could pay what they wanted to attend the forthcoming League 2 fixture - from a minimum contribution of £1. Those available tickets were quickly snapped up.

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Gillingham - who average just over 4,000 home fans for normal league fixtures - will now have a packed Priestfield for the match against relegation rivals Crawley on February 4.

Visitors Crawley could bring a sizeable crowd too and with the Town End currently at reduced capacity due to work needed on the top section. Gillingham were set to release more tickets in the upper tier of the Medway Stand as well as making other spaces available inside the ground but those are expected to be sold quickly.

Gillingham are bottom of League 2 but there is positive energy around the club following the arrival of wealthy new owner Brad Galinson, who has already been splashing the cash in the transfer market as they look to spend their way out of trouble this season.

Fans are also benefiting from the new owner’s generosity, with “pay what you can” initiative for next month’s fixture being welcomed by supporters.

“We’re here for the fans,” said Mr Galinson. “It’s the fans that fund every part of the business - it’s who we work for.”

The ticket sale has been described as a “gift for the community” by the Gills and they feel good times are around the corner.

Co-chairman Paul Fisher said: “We are in a relegation scrap now so given our new signings let’s all look forward and support the club together to get out of it!!

“It will be an interesting second half of the season which we will need everyone’s support for. Momentum and confidence are two things we now need!”

Gillingham host Hartlepool United this Saturday in a clash of the bottom two. Newly signed striker Tom Nichols and recent addition Timothee Dieng are both expected to feature.