GILLINGHAM Football Club have come through a troubled week by getting the backing from their bank to stave off administration.

Chairman Paul Scally met with Bank of Scotland officials on Wednesday and got the support he needed to quash any fears of administrators being brought in to run the club.

Mr Scally said afterwards: "The bank is very supportive of us and is showing a willingness to work with us to try and resolve our current financial situation.

"What’s important is the bank understands and recognises the efforts we are making to turn things around, and on that basis, are supporting us going forward at the moment.

"There is, of course, a lot of work to do over the coming weeks and months but I’m confident that together we can achieve success with Gillingham Football Club."

The bank’s backing came in the same week that the Gills manager Neale Cooper resigned after a string of defeats left the club languishing third from bottom in League One and suffering an embarrassing FA Cup exit at non-league Burscough.

But the news from the bank could be the boost the club needs to get back on its feet.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S MEDWAY MESSENGER AND KENT MESSENGER.