Gillingham have distanced themselves from a “small minority” of supporters who chanted vile songs about Millwall’s recently deceased chairman.

The Gills honoured the late John Berylson as their club’s manager Neil Harris - Millwall’s all-time record goalscorer - and his visiting counterpart Gary Rowett led the teams out at Priestfield with a wreath ahead of Saturday’s friendly between the sides.

Harris has previously spoken about how Mr Berylson was more than just a boss during their successful time working together, describing him as a friend and mentor.

Mr Berylson died in a car accident recently and there were chants heard from the Rainham End of an offensive nature, leading many fans of the Gills to hit back, describing those supporters as an embarrassment.

Gillingham’s director of operations Joe Comper, referring to a picture of the two managers laying the wreath on the pitch, tweeted: “This is the sort of club we are. A club of class and dignity, not the poor behaviour of a small minority. RIP John.”

There was a big Millwall following at Priestfield, taking over the entire Gordon Road Stand, swelling the attendance for the pre-season friendly to over 5,000.

The links to Millwall and the Gills are strong. Shaun Williams captained the home side on Saturday and is a former Lions player while no.2 David Livermore was Harris’ right-hand man and also an ex-player at The Den.

Current Millwall coach Adam Barrett captained the Gills to the League 2 title a decade ago.

Speaking about the tribute, Harris said: “It was really nice for me and Gary (Rowett) to share that moment together and nice for Millwall fans to see the past and current manager together.

“It was nice to hear the Millwall fans singing his name, he didn’t have an ego, it wasn’t about John Berylson, but he would have enjoyed that moment. A huge loss to football.

“(It was) a small opportunity for us as a football club and people like myself, Dave Livermore (assistant) and (former Millwall player) Shaun Williams to pay a little bit of respect and appreciation to him but more so for the Millwall faithful to do that, two football clubs, a lovely moment, a sad miss.”

John Berylson’s son James has been appointed the Championship club’s new chairman.

At the end of last season the Gills were charged with misconduct in relation to crowd control at three League 2 matches during the 2022/23 campaign.

Those charges including directing abusive chanting towards a female physiotherapist.

At the time, the club said: “Gillingham FC has a zero tolerance approach to any types of abuse and we investigate all matters very seriously.

“There is no place for sexist, racist or insulting behaviour at Priestfield, or in wider society, and we will continue to work with all relevant authorities to ensure those who are guilty of such incidences are appropriately punished.”