Hungry football fans chomped away on a selection of burgers, pies and hot dogs at yesterday’s Gills match despite fears that nothing would be on offer after caterers walked out.

Last minute scrambles by the club to provide grub for yesterday’s match against Colchester United proved successful despite catering firm Centerplate packing up and leaving last week.

The usual range of hot food was on offer as well as hot and cold drinks including beer.

In the Medway stand, the bar was closed due to a staff shortage and fans reported a slight lack of cashiers at the food stand than usual. However, nothing appeared to run out of stock.

Stan Warden, 45, a scaffolder from Church Street, Gillingham who was eating a pie, said: “It’s the same s***, different day. It tastes like a pie. What more do you want.”

Jane Fardoe, 37, as shop assistant from Maidstone Road, Rainham who was eating chips and a burger, said: “I can’t really tell the difference. It doesn’t seem any different than usual. But food at all these kinds of things taste the same really don’t they? It does the job.”

Earlier this week Centerplate packed up and left, taking all their files containing vital details about clients who booked to have their event at Priestfield.

Mr Scally called the company’s actions “disgusting”, while the firm argued it was forced to pull out when communication with the club broke down.

On Friday, he said: “We’ve got extra people coming in to help who have worked with us in the past and we should now have enough to run a full service.

“I’m fairly confident it will be business as usual.”

In a statement from Centerplate, a spokeswoman said the firm had not “taken this decision lightly or abruptly”.

She said: “During a meeting in September Centerplate made it clear it was unable to continue operating the contract under the current terms.

“At a crucial meeting on March 5, which Gillingham FC’s chairman failed to attend or make himself available for by phone, Centerplate put forward a proposal.

“Despite repeated attempts to engage with the club and its lawyers Centerplate received no response or counter-offer to this, leaving no alternative other than to withdraw from the contract.”

After a slow start to the match, a burst of goals in the last quarter saw Gills draw against Colchester 2-2.