GILLINGHAM’S players have taken the unusual step of issuing a statement through their union, the Professional Footballers’ Association, in response to the club’s financial crisis.

Concern is growing among the squad that supporters will turn on them, citing their wage demands as the reason for the club’s plight.

In an attempt to head off possible smears, the players released their statement through Bobby Barnes, the PFA’s South East representative. It reads: “The players wish it to be known that they are, as ever, doing their best to co-operate in what is a difficult time for the club.

“It should not be forgotten that the players have deferred bonus payments due from the previous season in addition to accepting a reduced bonus schedule for this season.”

Mr Barnes added: “On a personal note I’m bound to say that the Gillingham players are certainly not being paid anywhere near the figures being bandied around in the national press.”

The players will be seeking assurances from chairman Paul Scally that their wages will not be cut on his return from holiday this Friday. Unlike non-playing staff at Priestfield, PFA rules state that players cannot have their contracts terminated or reduced in value without their consent.

Although selling Priestfield has been described as a “last resort,” by Mr Scally, fans are horrified that it has even been mentioned.

Nigel Holland, chairman of the Gillingham Supporters’ Trust, has called for greater clarity regarding the extent of the club’s financial problems. Mr Holland, a lifelong Gillingham supporter, stressed: "Really we need to know more because we've been getting mixed messages from the club.

“I heard an interview earlier in the week when Paul Scally referred to the situation as a temporary cash flow problem and yet we’ve heard reports that the ground may have to be sold.

“Any football supporter, irrespective of whom he supports, knows that the selling of a ground is a club’s death knell. Very few clubs can recover from that .

Gillingham's crisis will top the agenda when the Trust meet on Thursday.