Regime Change at Gillingham F.C.

Chairman's Chat 18/10

The latest Chairman's Chat is available online, below is the content of my post on the Gills Discussion Forum which the chairman mentions not so fondly.

Response to Chairman's Chat.

As the chairman would like some points clarifying, I'm happy to stick my neck out on this from my own personal perspective.

Although I personally don't use the term "Scally Out", I openly admit that I have called for a plan of succession as none of my concerns have ever been allayed that the chairman's resources can keep up with the modern cost of football. Attendances are down, projects are unrealised or incomplete (in particular I note the temporary away stand being less than temporary), there is no apparent plan for growth and advancement.

Have I demanded he walks away today? No.

Have I called for a change in leadership because he's taken the club as far as he can? Yes, and it is not out of any hate or malice, but it is out of concern.

I find it incredible that he can sit there and say that he doesn't understand what the problem is. In my opinion the problem is stagnation. The problem is lack of disclosure for what the next five years will even look like, not only to give fans something to look forward to but also something that we can hold him to deliver.

The chairman has had ample opportunity to respond to my correspondence regarding my concerns but he has chosen not to. I won't speculate the reason as to why, only he can answer that.

This is why some fans, including myself, feel disenfranchised and disillusioned about the future. Different supporters will react in different ways (good and bad), same as supporters of the chairman have had varying degrees of behaviour ranging from cordial to vicious (which the chairman has chosen not to address).

I'm sure others will agree when I say this, but supporters want to be taken seriously, supporters do not want to be ignored when they have concerns. You can't on the one hand say your door is always open and then on the other not, at the very least, acknowledge receipt of correspondence.

I realise there may be an adverse reaction to some, if not all, of the post by some members. I accept that completely and I don't rate my opinion or stance over anybody else's.

I'd love to say more, a lot more, but hopefully this gives him some kind of insight as to why we are where we are.

Gills in the Pub Video

Dear Supporters,

If you haven't seen it already, I certainly recommend taking a look at the first video in a new series, Gills in the Pub. It contains discussion around our start to the season and a very well constructed discussion about our chairman's current conduct.

https://youtu.be/i2_CmwllRNA

I also humbly ask for your help, there's been a slow down on signatures on the petition lately. With Paul Scally's latest KM article once again attacking any and all supporters capable of critical thought, it may have persuaded others to make their voices heard. Please spread the petition's link to anyone you feel would like to back a unified voice.

The Gillingham support overall is bigger than Paul Scally's media echo chamber. He is not the only person permitted an opinion.

I have determined that if we reach 200, I will try to find a way to get this to the chairman.

If you'd like to ask anything or have any comments, please feel free comment below, find me on Twitter @mike_gammon, or email me mike_gammon@hotmail.co.uk.

Chairman's Chat

Dear Gillingham FC Supporters,

I'd imagine many of you have seen the latest Chairman's Chat here https://youtu.be/xeufbNMwz0o

I should add a few things to this regarding the purpose of the petition.

It is clear that there is a disconnect between disenfranchised fans and the chairman. Personal abuse via any means isn't really on and this isn't a petition of abuse. I want to keep things factual and the petition can go one of two ways, we may get a number of signatories to enable me to share with the chairman and hopefully instigate real change (whether the outcome is sale or at the very least a change in tact), or this petition limps into nothing and I will respect democratically that many are happy with how things are.

Being absolutely honest, I never thought I would ever feel so strongly so as to do something like this. I have no doubt that the chairman works long hours and tries hard, my concern is that he simply cannot afford the modern game. We only need to see the half baked projects to see this as the case, including the most permanent temporary stand in football history.

The aforementioned Chairman's Chat declared that the door is always open. If the petition raises enough noise then hopefully the chairman will pay attention and realise that deflection doesn't resolve any issue. My hope is it opens proper dialogue between the chairman and those who are critical without being abusive.

Please do share on your social media and any comments you can reach me directly on Twitter @mike_gammon or my email mike_gammon@hotmail.co.uk.

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