Gills chairman Paul Scally has ruled the current caretaker management team out of the running to take over from departed Peter Taylor.

Mr Scally issued fans with an open letter in which he urged them to be patient and get behind the four men, who have been given the management role in the interim.

Former boss Andy Hessenthaler, along with coaches Steve Lovell, Darren Hare and Mark Patterson have been overseeing the first team, while also carrying out their own duties at the club.

Mr Scally said: “None of the above individuals are being considered for the new manager’s role, they do all however share a passion for the Club and want to see successful days return to Priestfield as quickly as possible.

“I will be discussing all candidates with them and my co directors and they will all be sitting on interviews with myself.

“It’s not an easy task for them, albeit they have many years of combined experience and are very capable of effectively carrying out the task, hence I would ask you all to give them your full support and energy as they strive to achieve a level of success for us all.”

Read Paul Scally's letter to fans, in full, by clicking here.

Mr Scally has yet to draw up a short-list, as he attempts to whittle down a list of names that currently exceeds 70.

He admits the timing of the appointment was not ideal but he was never prepared.

He said: “I had no intention of dismissing him, however, following a telephone conversation on New Year’s Eve, I was left with no option other than to terminate his contract. I wish him well in the future and thank him for his efforts.

“Peter unfortunately suffered some serious personal abuse from a number of our supporters both at games and on different forums, such abuse being unnecessary, unpleasant and unhelpful in my view.

“I would urge supporters to consider the negative effect such abuse can have on individuals and whether their energies and comments of a positive nature would be better directed at encouraging the staff and players, given we are all striving for the same end result.”

Interviews will be taking place over the next fortnight and the chairman has urged supporters to have their say who they think should take over.

Addressing the fans, he said: “I have no doubt you will all have your own views on who should be the next manager, what type of person should it be, what type of character and personality should he have.

“Whilst we have a large cross section of individuals already to consider, I’d be interested to have your views as supporters as all help is useful.

“If you have any ideas on anything to do with recruitment please send them to me at the Club, or e mail our Club secretary Gwen Poynter at, gpoynter@priestfield.com with your thoughts, we will consider all comments.”

And Mr Scally added: “Please be patient, this is neither a quick, nor simple task, and whilst we would like to make an appointment as soon as possible, we will not rush into a decision if we do not all feel comfortable with it.

“Less speed more haste is appropriate, notwithstanding with the points still to play for this season we want our new man in place in the shortest time possible.

“Saturday against Coventry is our next challenge, I think those that have watched the last few games have seen the effort and energy put in by the boys, they’ve not had too much luck against Port Vale and Crewe, but their heads are held high, they are looking forward as a team and with your help they will battle on and try to get the results we all wish for, stay positive, there will be good times ahead.”

**UPDATE**

Former boss Peter Taylor reacted to Mr Scally's letter.

He said: "In conversation he (Mr Scally) said something to me that I got very annoyed about and I let him know.

"As for the termination of the contract, I never signed a contract because it was not signable.

"I don’t agree with the chairman’s letter saying he was not thinking of changing me because for two days he gave me the impression he wanted me to resign."