Gillingham will benefit from a rescue package agreed by Premier League clubs.

The 20 top-flight clubs met on Wednesday and agreed a proposal to hand those sides in League 1 and 2 a total of £50m made up of grants and interest-free loans.

EFL clubs will meet on Thursday to discuss the Premier League offer.

Gillingham have been one of those calling on the country’s top clubs to help their plight. The current ban on supporters attending games is draining their finances.

The Premier League clubs have also agreed not to pursue 'Project Big Picture' which would have included a £250m bailout and 25% of future TV deals but it would have meant handing power over to the top six sides in the country.

The Premier League, whose clubs spent over £1b on transfer fees during the last transfer window, despite the Covid-19 crisis, have been under pressure to help the lower league teams with the government reluctant to help.

That assistance from the top level of the game has now been agreed.

In a statement, the Premier League say they have “agreed to make available a rescue package which aims to ensure that League One and League Two clubs will not go out of business as a result of the financial impact of Covid-19 and be able to complete the 2020/21 season.

“League One and League Two clubs rely more heavily on matchday revenue and have fewer resources at their disposal than Championship or Premier League clubs and are therefore more at risk, especially at a time when fans are excluded from attending matches.

“This offer will consist of grants and interest-free loans totalling a further £50million on top of the £27.2million solidarity payments already advanced to League One and League Two this year, making a total of £77.2million.”

Clubs like Gillingham, who are reliant on matchday income, could have to cope without fans inside Priestfield for much of this season.

Read more on the Gills