Gills chairman Paul Scally is set to devote extra time in seeking external investment for the club.

Mr Scally admits he is not in a financial position to pump the necessary funds into the club to take them to the next level.

So he’s on the hunt to find someone that is.

He said: “I am well aware that to achieve what I would really like to see for this club will take more funding than I have at my disposal.

“But given I have never been approached in 18 years by the ‘big money’ men, or a local supporter who has the financial ability, business acumen and willingness to take the club forward, investment will have to come from elsewhere.

“As such, I will now start another process to seek investment in the club and will ask our financial advisors of the best way to achieve this.

“It isn’t something I have actively been doing, nor has it been high on my list over the past few years but maybe the time is right to try seriously and find whether alternative external investment can be achieved and if so, whether it would be in the best interests of the football club.”

Mr Scally, writing in his programme notes on Saturday, added: “I am unable to throw the millions into the business that I would wish and a section of our fan base believe I should.

“As a business, we have to live within our means and spend what we can afford to when we can, otherwise the consequences for the club would be severe and hard hitting.”

Mr Scally, who took over the running of the club in 1995, has always stated that he wouldstep aside if the right person came along.