Gillingham chairman Paul Scally believes Ady Pennock deserves the chance to show what he can do with a clean slate.

He has handed Pennock another year at the helm, with Peter Taylor joining as director of football.

Mr Scally said: “I can understand from some fans, it might not be a popular choice, but I knew what went on behind the scenes and I know the challenges he faced.

“We all tried to deal with (those challenges) but some were losing battles.

“I would have always felt I hadn’t given him a fair chance had I not continued. I think if he had a full season, his own players and a proper pre-season, then it might have been a different story.

“There have been a whole host of issues that have gone on what I would call over and above the call of duty.

“I felt that if I made a change and went with someone else, based on just the results, it would have been grossly unfair on Ady.”

Mr Scally appointed Pennock head coach back in January, to replace sacked Justin Edinburgh.

Gillingham won just four games under Pennock in the second half of that campaign and only just avoided relegation.

Pennock has already highlighted some of the challenges that he faced but the chairman was keen to draw a line under the past.

He said: “I don’t think we should be talking about the issues, personally, and I told Ady that. I don’t think that takes us anywhere.

“We managed to survive by the skin of our teeth and the fans have been superb. They were superb on the last game and superb in renewing their season tickets. I am grateful for that.

“There were quite a lot of angry people after our last home game (losing 3-2 to Fleetwood) and it wasn’t nice, it was unfortunate and it pretty much summed up our season. It is a season I would be more than happy to draw a line under.”