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Gillingham chairman Paul Scally and manager Steve Evans have both called for a united front from the fans.
There has been plenty of fan reaction since the midweek Carabao Cup defeat against Cheltenham Town when frustration got the better of manager Steve Evans in his post-match interview. On Saturday both he and Mr Scally spoke together in a club interview, filmed before the Shrewsbury league match, to ask fans to come together to help the club.
Mr Scally, speaking about some of the online comments he had received, said: “Some of them are pretty foul, some are pretty abusive, some are very personal which is very disappointing.
“When I appointed Steve Evans as manager I didn't want a priest, I wanted a warrior, and a warrior he is, warriors we are. When we lose matches we get upset, we get emotional, frustrated, all what true fans do.
“There is some fairly personal stuff put out on social media which is very disturbing.
“Steve was not happy that his words (from Tuesday night) have been taken out of context. If I was interviewed straight after a game I would probably say the same sort of stuff.
“We as a club internally are very united, we are facing challenges, we have injuries, we have a fairly small squad but it is capable and if we can keep players out the medical room we have a very good squad to choose from.”
The chairman, who came under fire from fans in the stands at Shrewsbury, added: “We are in this together, not a me versus everyone else, this is with all of us. It is the only way we can keep the club going. We need to be united, have sympathy, compassion, we don't need anger and hate.
“Personal hate towards me is quite disgusting. I have a family, my children see that, my relations see it, it is not good. Kill the hate, we don’t need it. It must be coming from people that don’t care about the club because if they did they wouldn’t be putting some of the stuff that has been posted. It doesn’t do anyone any favours. There is no need.
“Everyone grow up please, those that are putting up these futile posts, and let’s all get together that care about the club and unite.”
Evans was sat alongside the chairman when he spoke to the club’s press team.
He added: “It’s an emotive game and the chairman wanted what I had brought to my previous clubs, which is emotion.
“There are times me and the chairman disagree, but ultimately we will come back together.
“We can’t spend a penny the club can’t afford. He has been supportive, he was probably a bit annoyed with me the other night, I was annoyed at myself, my family were annoyed with me, but supporters, just like me, hate losing. You shouldn’t be going home happy if you are losing.
“Stick behind us, we are on the same wave length. We are fighting, every step, in what is the toughest League 1 in my life time.
“By being united you can be victorious, but having factions is disaster.”
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Four sent off in defeat at Shrewsbury
