MANAGER Andy Hessenthaler cancelled the players' day off on Sunday, called them back into training and issued a public apology to all Gillingham supporters after Saturday's 4-0 humiliation by Bradford City at Priestfield.

The Gills boss pulled no punches in a furious tirade after the club's heaviest home defeat of the season. In a forthright condemnation, he expressed only sympathy for the many supporters who made for the exits long before the final whistle and admitted the team deserved to be booed off at the end.

Asked what he had said to his players afterwards, he said: "I told them I would see them on Sunday at 10am. We'll have a chat on Sunday, which isn't very nice, but our performance against Bradford City was unacceptable."

"I was embarrassed for our supporters because I've had a pop at them a few times after the last weeks for getting on the backs of the players. But we deserved to be booed off at the end.

"We weren't hungry enough to win the game from the start. We didn't compete and that's something I've never said since I've been at the club. Perhaps it was a bit cold for some of them but it wasn't good enough. We just huffed and puffed and there was no end product over 90 minutes.

"We gave them the first two goals and their fourth. I just hope it's a one-off. We've had a fantastic season so far and I want that to continue. We've got 12 games left and I want us to do well in all of them. But for us to concede four goals at home. that's not Gillingham Football Club."