Gillingham haven’t had much luck finding a financial saviour but could have God on their side.

Neither the Premier League or the government have so far come to the aid of football clubs crippled by the Covid-19 crowd restrictions but the Pope might serve up a prayer or two after being sent a Gills shirt.

MP Rehman Chishti has handed over a shirt of his home team Gillingham - who play at Priestfield - to be delivered to Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church.

Mr Chishti, MP for Gillingham & Rainham, handed the gift over while meeting Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican City’s secretary for relations with states, who was also presented with a shirt.

Fan Adam Fuller tweeted: "Great signing. Has a really good cross on him, but can't play on Sundays."

Another added: "Can’t wait to see the Pope on his balcony at the Apostolic Palace pontificating about the goalscoring potential of Dominic Samuel."

Any help will do for the Gills right now as they look to survive a period of financial uncertainty while fans remain barred from elite matches. It’s meant the club have seen their income drop dramatically.

Mr Chishti recently met the Gills chairman Paul Scally to discuss the issues which have impacted the club , including a tax demand from the HMRC which isn’t helping.

Several Kent MPs spoke in parliament this week on the matter of crowds at football matches . The government say they are willing to help fund non-league teams but say the Premier League should be propping up the EFL clubs like Gillingham.

Minster for sport, Nigel Huddleston MP, said: “We’ve had constructive conversations with the Premier League and the EFL and they do recognise their responsibility. It’s perfectly fair and reasonable that those with the broadest shoulders carry the biggest burden. They understand and accept that.

“In football there is a pyramid and that means the top part of that is absolutely reliant on the bottom part. The Premier League do understand that, they get that responsibility, they recognise that people flow through the lower leagues and then go up there so they want to help out and that is their obligation.

“We’re looking for the Premier League to play its part, particularly with the EFL, and then the government money will focus on those that are desperately in need.”

Last year Mr Chishti handed a no.10 shirt to prime minster Boris Johnson .

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