Gillingham are to invest in a new Priestfield pitch this summer.

It’s been a decade since the Gills’ playing surface was last relaid and chairman Paul Scally admits now is the time for a new one.

Mr Scally said: “We are spending a lot of money in the summer and are going to rip it up.
“We are going to take the whole top layer off and it’s a big job.

"It has lasted 10 years and probably should have been done a couple of years ago.”

The Gills are spending more than £50,000 on the new surface but Mr Scally feels it will be money well spent.

Manager Peter Taylor likes his team to get the ball down and play but that has proved difficult at home.

“The pitch hasn’t helped our performances because it is bumpy and hard,” said Mr Scally.

“We are more comfortable playing football now (under Taylor) but our pitch is quite difficult to play on, to play the way we want to play and that is probably not helping us when we are at home.

“That is no criticism of the groundsman because he has done a remarkable job keeping the pitch as good as it looks.”