Scally steps down (sort of)

[Garawa]

The Gills have announced Paul Fisher as CEO and co-Chairman of the club whilst Mr Scally takes an "extended break away from football". Paul Fisher will take over the day-to-day running of the club with immediate effect. Mr Scally said:

"The past two years have been particularly punishing, I have worked non-stop to ensure the Club came through the Covid period, faced challenges the like of which I have never experienced, both from a business and personal perspective, seen hardship on a huge scale and experienced great sadness with the loss of dear friends, some of them great fans, however what I never expected, nor in my wildest dreams thought I’d ever be subject to, was the relentless level of extreme personal abuse I have been subjected to from a small, mindless but vocal group of individuals who have generally used the ‘safety’ of social media and other forums to pursue their hateful and malicious campaigns, sadly often influencing those that are susceptible and vulnerable to these media, and who have themselves been caught up in the `frenzy’ that has pursued.

"This abuse has been unacceptable, unfair, malicious, painful and without merit, no one individual should ever be subjected to such abuse, especially when simply getting on with their job in hand, in their place of work. Those involved are shameful and should look closely in a mirror, they certainly do not represent the views of normal decent supporters, nor, in my view, society as a whole. I am one human being and unfortunately this level of abuse and intrusion into my private space has had a huge effect on me personally, both mentally and physically, it has undoubtedly had some effect on the business and club, but more importantly it has affected my family and close friends, something I am unable, nor prepared to reconcile, despite the help and support of many that also care about this great club.

"I have therefore decided, (hence the decision behind the appointment of Paul Fisher to the Board), to take an extended break away from football and this great Club, a period whereby I can reflect on what my priorities are, a period whereby I can establish how damaged my love for this Club and football generally has become, and a period whereby I can rest and focus on my own life, family and other important matters.

"The running of a Football Club is high profile, 24/7 and 365 days a year, it is a high scrutiny job and I have always accepted an owner will often be in a “no win” situation, such is the beast, but I have always had the passion and fight needed to do the job, to stand shoulder to shoulder with our support base and to be proud of what we are and have achieved together. I have never shied from making those tough decisions, always in my mind in the best interests of the Club first and foremost.

"There is no question that right now, I am physically and mentally exhausted from the efforts, stress, strain and worries of the past couple of years, coupled with the personal abuse effects, and need a break to recharge my batteries. Myself and Paul fully intend to continue exploring options regarding the long term future of the Club, and indeed we are currently considering the possibilities of forming a strong and credible Board of Directors capable of continuing the journey, should external investment or new ownership not be an option.

"One thing we will not do is allow the Club to further its journey with anyone who does not possess the appropriate credentials, nor have the best interests of the Club at heart, indeed over the past couple of years there have been a number of ‘chancers’ who have touted credibility, but whom in fact have been everything but suitable to take on a Club of this magnitude. Our supporters would expect no less from me after all these years.

"I have every confidence in the work Neil and his team are doing with the rebuilding process, not easy to recruit the right individuals and build a new team in such a short space of time but the footballing side is in good hands and it was nice to get our first win of the season yesterday with such a solid performance, sadly I was not in the stadium to witness it, albeit I watched from afar.

"Relegation was painful for all of us that care about this Club, I have taken it very badly and with personal responsibility, but thankfully the spirit within the Club is high and positive, and I know everyone will work as hard as possible in trying to get the team initially back into League One, and then into the Championship at some stage thereafter.

"This is not quite a farewell from me, albeit that may well be the ultimate conclusion of the next few months, I do hope there is still a flame deep down, one that can re-ignite with the help of those closest to me, and with the help of others externally, but time will be the greatest judge of that, certainly if it is the end it’s fair to say it was never the way I expected to see the final curtain.

Full details of the new man in charge and the full Scally quote can be read here: https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/ ... -07.08.22/

[gillsfan1066]

What a bunch of BULL CORN, you have done nothing more than any other Owner/President of the other 90 odd football clubs in the Four Senior League's have done except refuse to follow the basic rules of owning a club ( hence we got relegated to the 4th Division) . In the middle of the C-V 19 pandemic you gave yourself a nice big pay rise and screw everyone else, bring in new players to make sure we didn't get relegated, NO, not you, and as for the abuse you receive from nasty people on the internet,get over it, that's the way the world works in 2022,would you rather have a hundred protesters outside of your front door screaming Scally OUT, or in your case Scally khanij ?
You have let us down,20 years ago you stepped in and saved us from going down the tube and everyone loved you, we even went in to the almost top division for a few seasons, then you were too busy walking around telling everyone I am Paul Scally I own Gillingham FC,were in the Championship Division,arguing and upsetting anyone you could,managers, players other teams owners, even banning a newspaper sports writer,do you realize how pathetic that was ?
You , your wife and kids have done nothing but milk GFC of money. I would love to know exactly what your wife did to deserve a salary,and just out of interest what did you pay Adam to produce a program every other week for home games . That must have been a strenuous job,or was he out wining- and- dining those invisible investors you kept rumoring were interested in putting money into GFC, because if he was, DAMMMMN was he fooling your ass big time.
LOOK AT OUR RECORD SINCE 2004, 14th,16th,22nd,5th,21st RELEGATED TO THE FOURTH DIVISION., look at the last few years, 2021/2 RELEGATED to the Fourth Division, and the years before that, 10th,10th,13th,17th,20th, oh yes you sure love Gillingham Football Club, the results show that.....NOT.
So now you dump the crap you have produced on someone else, and you bottle out, yup that's you Scally,why don't you just sell the damn team to someone that actually wants to own Gillingham Football Club, if there is anyone stupid enough to buy a club where Priestfield Developments Ltd (sole owner Paul Scally) would own the ground ?