Gillingham’s winless start to their League 1 campaign has prompted chairman Paul Scally to address the fans with an open letter.

Mr Scally insists he “shares the fans’ concerns” over the poor start to the season.

“With just the three points from our first seven games to show I fully understand your concerns, worries and frustrations,” he said.

“Given we all share those same feelings, I thought I would write to assure you on how hard everyone at the club is working in an effort to turn things round and get that first vital win.

“It is a fact that when things don’t go so well during a period, and there have been many occasions when life has been tricky over the years at this football club, as well as some great occasions of course, the general mood changes.

“Many negatives creep into our manner, our rhetoric and often our behaviour and we tend to take our frustrations out on the people who in fact are trying the most to get things right, and who need our total support the most.

“We all know there can be upwards and downward spirals in football, we’ve experienced both over the years, but I would urge you each to a man to come to Priestfield on Saturday, bring your friends and bring your positive voices.

“Sing your hearts out for the team, create an electric atmosphere, banish your nerves and tensions and really focus on what’s needed, and what part you can all play to help the team achieve our joint goal.

“I can’t promise it will guarantee a win, but I can tell you that if ever there’s a time for you all to play the 13th man, it’s now, and we have a better chance of a win on that basis than if the alternative occurs.”

Mr Scally also mentioned the club’s budget, which he feels is on par with most of the league, amid criticism that money from selling players hadn’t been spent on the team.

He said: “The investment in the team this season is amongst the top half of teams in the division insofar as payroll is concerned pro rata to income, excluding the likes of Wolves, Sheffield United, Coventry and Bristol City, who are in a league of their own as far as wages are concerned.

“Whilst Deon Burton, Lewis Montrose and Andy Frampton weren’t retained during the close season, we bought in seven senior players to add to the squad.

“Free transfers don’t come cheap, we still have to manage and find the money for players’ wages.”

Gillingham have not won any of their nine games this season, including their first seven in League 1.

Click the link to read Mr Scally's letter in full.