Scally by name

...Scally by nature

It has been pointed out by some that this blog is a little Linfield-heavy. So I thought I'd write something about Gillingham's dodgy chairman, as recent allegations and alleged non-dealings concerning him have left me very sceptical about the man.

Let me assert this first and foremost: Scally has been a godsend for Gillingham FC. He took over the club when it was in dire straits, sorted the finances out (for a while) made (past tense) correct managerial appointments in Tony Pulis, Hess and Stan Ternent and of course presided over the most successful period in Gillingham's history, their first ever spell in the second tier of English football, 5 seasons there. He also built the ground up, making the Rainham End all-seater and modernising the Brian Moore stand. He has done wonders for the Gills.

BUT... serious questions have been asked about him now for at least 2 seasons. The collapse of ITV digital hit all non-Premiership clubs hard, but seemingly ours harder than most and Scally is still using it as an excuse for all our woes. He is beating back the Bank of Scotland from the door, and apparently we are 9 million in debt. Now it is true that Gillingham did not enjoy the increase in attendances and revenue it should have expected after 35,000+ were there to see them twice at Wembley, but it seems Scally has not maximised revenue potentials. He proposed a hike in season ticket prices last season for this one despite not knowing at that stage what division we were going to be in! After relegation, there was much discontent expressed and prices were dropped accordingly. But prices are still among the highest in the division, and yet our status doen't reflect this.


Smithy

Now, various rumours and allegations of broken promises and unprofessional behaviour are coming to the fore. Let's start with Paul Smith. Gills legend, and club Player of the Year 4 seasons in a row, last year he was offered a new contract for this one: which featured a SEVENTY percent drop in wages. For a captain who was still putting the shift in, this was too much, and he duly left. Things weren't working out for him at Wallsall, so the Gills took him back on loan (Wallsall continued to pay his wages). I'll let gillsconnect.com take the story from there:

Since returning to Priestfield from the Bescott Stadium in October Walsall have been paying the wages of the midfielder.

Smith says he cancelled the remaining 18 months of his Walsall contract on the understanding that Gillingham would honour the terms from January 1st, but now appears to be without a contract and a club from December 31st.

In a statement issued by his agent, Andrew Mills, Smith said:

"It has recently been reported in the press that I have made myself unavailable for team selection over the Christmas period. This is the unfortunate result of my current contract dispute with Gillingham Chairman Paul Scally following the club's complete U-turn on the agreement surrounding my initial return to Gillingham from Walsall."

He continued: "One of the conditions in order for Walsall to allow me to return to Gillingham on loan (whilst Walsall also continued to pay my wages!) was that I cancelled the remaining 18 months of my contract with them leaving me effectively out of work from January.

"Following assurances from Gillingham Chairman Paul Scally that Gills would take over my contract from January 1st and honour it's terms I signed both the loan and Walsall contract cancellation forms.

"Since returning for the Blackpool game I have been given several assurances that the permanent contract was imminent and although advised not to play until I was in receipt of the permanent contract I decided to give the Chairman the benefit of doubt, in the belief that he would not renege on such promises which had such serious ramifications for both myself and my family.

"During my recent meetings with the Chairman these conversations have been called into doubt but I am 100% clear about the terms of my return. To now be told that 1/ The Chairman was not aware I had cancelled my Walsall contract and 2/ That due to the club banking requirements the club are not allowed to commit any further finances to playing staff is an extreme disappointment to say the least."

He added: "Due to the situation I now find myself with no contract or income from 31 December which not only has serious ramifications for me on a personal level but also my family. At no time throughout my career have I ever felt as let down as I now feel by the club that has remained close to my heart over the last 8 years.

"I was genuinely delighted to return to Gillingham but now find myself bitterly disappointed that it looks like I've played my last game in a Gills shirt, with this in mind I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the fans that have made me feel so welcome on both my return and my previous time at the club."

Scally's response?

Despite Paul's comments Gills chairman Paul Scally claims he was unaware until three weeks ago that Smith had cancelled his contract with Walsall.

Talking to the Medway Messenger he said: "I didn't know until three weeks ago that he'd cancelled his Walsall contract and as far as I was concerned, it was a loan deal with a view to extending it on January 1 and that was the situation at the time of signing.

"At no time did I know, realise or suggest that he had cancelled his contract with Walsall. With the financial situation and the change in management it was decided that we couldn't offer him a new contract. It just wasn't possible."

Unless some kind of deal between Scally and Smith can be agreed the four time player of the year looks set to start 2006 looking for a new club. Should it come to that I'm sure all Gills fans will join us in wishing Paul all the best and thanking him for what he has done for Gillingham Football Club.

Hmm. I see no reason why Smithy would lie. Obviously he's kicking himself now for not having something down on paper, but it seems Scally has pulled a flanker. Not the way to treat one of the club's best-ever players. Luckily Swindon Town offered him a contract.


Football Genius

Next up, Gills legend Adrian Pennock 'Football Genius', who has his own fan club: www.apfc.co.uk Typical song? 'He only scores own goals'! Another Wembley hero,he skippered the team on that famous day. He alleges Scally promised him a testimonial to make up for an early contract termination. He is still waiting:

"Former Gills defender Adrian Pennock has instructed solicitors to sue Gillingham FC for up to £100,000 because he has never had a testimonial he claims he was promised. Pennock's solicitors sent a letter to the club saying they will sue for breach of contract unless he receives compensation.

Adie, who was skipper in Gillingham's 3-2 victory over Wigan Athletic in the Division Two play-off final of 2000, was forced to retire just over three years ago because of injury and is now boss of Welling in the Nationwide Conference League South.

On his retirement, he claims he reached agreement with Gills chairman Paul Scally that his remaining contract for the season would be bought out on the basis he received a smaller lump sum plus a testimonial dinner and a testimonial match.

Despite apparent attempts to arrange the match with the club there is no sign of the testimonial happening some three years after he departed.

Pennock, who made 199 appearances in 7 seasons for the club, remains a fans favourite and told Meridian Tonight: "I gave everything for this football club and it is a shame it has come down this road. It's nothing to do with the fans and obviously all to do with the football club.

"It's been a long time, nearly three years, I've been through operation after operation but there have been some great times, I still love this football club and I still want the club to do really well but it's all about me and the biggest thing is my family. I'm not a David Beckham of the world and the money the testimonial would have recouped is massively important for me."

Talking to the press association Adrian echoed the comments above saying: "The fans will understand it grieves me to have to take action against my old club. They will appreciate this is purely out of frustration and the unwillingness of Mr Scally to fulfil the agreement he reached with me and the club's obligation.

"I served the club willingly over the years. Unfortunately, injury meant I could no longer play for the club I loved. It upsets me it has come to this. Over the ensuing two years I have been put off again and again by Mr Scally.

"Now we are not even speaking and I have taken that to mean the club does not intend to fulfil its agreement."

Scally's response?

Upon hearing the comments above chairman Paul Scally issued the following statement to Meridian Tonight: "I am absolutely astonished at Mr Pennock's comments. It's not the responsibility of the club or the chairman to organise a testimonial It's his own responsibility and he has done nothing to organise it."

Adrian described Mr Scally`s statement as unbelievable and was flabbergasted, while his solicitor David Green said the statement was "naive and ridiculous".

This is a story which looks set to continue over the coming weeks, with the early reaction on the GillsConnect message board calling for the club chairman to give Adrian the testimonial he so rightly deserves."

Again, something's not quite right here. And I believe it IS Gillingham FC's obligation to arrange this, and thus Mr Scally as chairman is responsible.



Hess

Lastly, Scally has moved forward Andy Hessenthaler's testimonial to 'the next 3 or 4 weeks'. Why Scally has brought forward Andy Hessenthalers promised testimonial match to the next three or four weeks is a mystery. It was originally scheduled for later in the season but speculation may now point to Hessy receiving his nestegg as part of a pay-off before the January transfer window closes.

Scally's comment:

"In an interview with Chris Britcher, Sports Editor for the Kent on Sunday, Scally said "I have never had a cross word with Hess in the ten years I have known him. Any suggestions we have had some falling out is nonsense. I can see a role for him at the Club and so can the manager- but perhaps not as a regular player".

Although it is no secret that Gills legend Andy Hessenthaler doesn't fit into boss Ronnie Jepsons future plans, he still has around 18 months of his contract to run and after the recent shenanigans concerning close pal Paul Smith he won't leave Priestfield until he is good and ready. The acrimonious legal wrangling relating to Adrian Pennocks testimonial match will also remind Hessy the need to have everything in writing, preferably in tablets of stone!

Too true!

Hessy has been linked with a number of vacant managers jobs in the past, including Watford and Millwall from the Football League plus plenty in Nationwide Conference. There are quite a few clubs on the Non-League circuit that would relish the opportunity of having him in a player/managers role as his fitness levels are much higher than some players more than ten years his junior."

This seems to be par for the course now with Scally. Rumours abound. Lots of money seems to have gona 'astray'. How anyone would want to play for Gillingham given the broken promises and aura of mistrust is beyond me. Thing is, there is no millionaire Abramovich to save the Gills so we'll have to make do with Scally. But his financial record in the last 3 years is abominable.

+++ STOP PRESS +++

The end of an era as Mr Gillingham departs

By Keith PestellDate: 14/1/2006

Andy Hessenthaler has agreed a settlement on his contract and left Priestfield on Saturday evening. The decision means the former player-manager, who made 360 appearances for the club scoring 28 goals, brings to an end an era at Priestfield saying farewell after nine and a half years.

Hessenthaler, who will always be a legend at Gillingham, broke the news following Saturday's 3-0 victory over Swindon Town at Priestfield. He played a key role in Gillingham's rise through the Football League and leaves supporters and players with many happy memories.

Signed by Tony Pulis from Watford for a then record fee of £235,000 in August 1996, Hess went onto make a huge impact at Priestfield being voted Player of the Year in 1997 and 2000.

Andy (back, centre) celebrates an FA Cup giant killing over Sheffield Wednesday in January 2000
He always give 110 per-cent on the pitch with many football pundits calling him "Mr Gillingham" and "Pocket Dynamo" to name a few. He was the heart of the Gillingham side which not only got promoted to the Championship but went to Wembley twice and pulled off several FA Cup giant killings.

Appointed player-manager following the departure of Peter Taylor in 1999 Hessenthaler also masterminded Gillingham's highest ever league finish, 11th in Division One (now the Championship) in the 2002/2003 season.
Poor performances and a relegation battle during the 2004/2005 season saw Andy step aside as player-manager in November 2004 allowing Stan Ternent and Ronnie Jepson to take charge. He spent the remainder of the season on loan at Hull City, but returned to Priestfield to make 21 appearances this season - his last coming in Gillingham's 3-2 FA Cup first round defeat at Burscough.

Former Gills players Iffy Onuora and Paul Smith both praised Andy Hessenthaler, with Hessie telling the Gills official website:

"It is a sad day but a great day, especially as we have just won 3-0. It's pretty sad as I have been here for a long time but we have come to an agreement and it is time for me to move on.
"I have had some fantastic times here and I just felt that it is time for me to move on to a new challenge. It was nice to see the boys go out there and get a great win. I have nothing lined up but am not going to retire from playing as I feel I can still do a job until the end of the season for somebody. The legs are still going. I have been out injured and am just getting back to fitness.

"Hopefully, I can get a club and have a run out until the end of the season. I would like to get back into coaching or managing and that is where I see my future. I wish Gillingham and the gaffer all the best for the future and am sure the club can go onto better things in the future."

He added: "I leave this club on great terms and I have had some fantastic times. There is hopefully a testimonial in the next few weeks and I will be able to pull the Gillingham shirt on one more time.

"The highlight of my time at the club has got to be the promotion against Wigan at Wembley. After the previous year against Man City, and the way we got beat, which everyone knows, to get promotion was fantastic."Also becoming the manager of the football club was fantastic. I have had some great times and I will never forget this club, as it is close to my heart."

Chairman Paul Scally was also quick to praise Hess adding: "It's a mutual agreement, but a day tinged with some sadness as Andy has been a tremendous servant for the club

"Andy will always be a part of this football club and will always be welcomed back. We wish him well for the future and in whatever his career path takes him.

"I would like to say on behalf of all Gillingham supporters, the staff, the management, the players and myself, since Andy Hessenthaler walked into this club nearly ten years ago at the sprightly age of 30, he has given absolutely 110 per cent for this football club; and in his five years as manager, he gave everything to the cause."He will always be a legend at this football club."