GILLS chairman Paul Scally is declining to comment further on his latest dispute with the Gillingham Independent Supporters' Club.

Mr Scally fined and disciplined skipper and player of the year Paul Smith, Chris Hope and Barry Ashby earlier this week for ignoring his instruction not to attend the independent supporters’ club's presentation night on Saturday.

Smith went to pick up the player of the year award for an unprecedented third time, while Hope was runner-up. Ashby attended to collect the third place award on behalf of top scorer Marlon King.

All three returned immediately to Priestfield for the club's own player of the year awards, which Smith also collected.

During the week the Gills chairman said he had been invited to comment on the row by several television and radio stations, but had turned them all down.

“I do not wish to waste my time talking about the people who have caused our problems,” he said. “I need to concentrate on rebuilding within this club the close relationships which have helped us achieve our success over the past few years.

“I have stated my position and intentions. Now the fans can have their say and I intend to let matters take their course.”

On Wednesday, Mr Scally challenged the GISC to find the finance and backers to take over the club within 30 days. He went on to say that, even if they didn't find the money, he might still put the club up for sale after 30 days.

Skipper Paul Smith has apologised to Mr Scally, manager Andy Hessenthaler and club sponsors SeaFrance for going to the presentation night, according to the club's official website. A statement attributed to Smith read: “We fully accept we were instructed not to attend any other events, save for the official SeaFrance player of the year event.

“But we were placed under unacceptable pressure by certain individuals to collect our awards from GISC. We realise now our attendance at that presentation was unacceptable.”

The statement continued: “We fully accept the football club's position and as such we are unable to accept the trophies presented to us and have returned them to the football club.

“We appreciate the support from all devoted fans and all three of us, like our colleagues, are committed to Gillingham Football Club and its success. We are pleased the matter has now been addressed and concluded,” the statement added.

The dispute between Mr Scally and the players could end up before the Football League. Brendan Batson, deputy chief executive of the players' union, the PFA, confirmed he had been made aware of the situation at Gillingham.

He said: “If the three players involved have been fined and disciplined then they have the right of appeal and that appeal would go before a Football League panel. We hope this problem can be sorted out very quickly for the good of the players and the club.”