Paul Scally remains confident that Peter Taylor is the man to lead Gillingham into the future.

Taylor’s side have struggled to pull away from the League 1 drop zone this season but the Gills chairman is keeping faith in his manager and his methods.

“I have always been sure about him,” said Scally, who brought Taylor back to the club in October 2013 to replace Martin Allen.

“I am reasonably happy. It was always going to be difficult when you are trying to bring a lot of new players in and changing things around.

“I would have liked more points on the board after the first 10 games but, apart from the home game against Scunthorpe, the team has performed quite well.

“Had games like Swindon and Port Vale gone for us a bit better then we would have another four or five points on the board.

“I don’t think our position in the table reflects the way we have played but I also accept that nobody has a divine right to be anywhere.”

Mr Scally was speaking before Gills’ 3-2 defeat to Chesterfield.

They remain just above the relegation places in League 1 and, sitting 19th, in the same position when Taylor took charge over a year ago.

That position isn’t worrying the chairman too much.

He said: “I have seen far more positives in this group than in teams over the past few
years. I think with one or two additions, which we will no doubt have, we are going to be an exciting team.

“I know that at the end of the season we aren’t going to be down there, we are going to be up nearer the top than the bottom.

“There are a few doom and gloom merchants who revel in our lack of position at times and that drags everyone else down.

“I am sure a number of people would like to see Peter Taylor fail, which is grossly unfair, because he is a good man, doing a good job.”

For the full interview read this week's Medway Messenger - in the shops on Christmas Eve