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Anger as Gillingham FC fail to hold minute's silence before FA Cup first round match at Priestfield against Brackley ahead of Remembrance Sunday

13:00, 11 November 2013

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally
Gillingham chairman Paul Scally

Gillingham FC fans have expressed their outrage after the club did not hold a minute's silence before their game at the weekend.

Chairman Paul Scally today described the situation as "ridiculous" and said it was due to an "oversight" and "miscommunication".

Saturday's FA Cup match against Brackley fell the day before Remembrance Sunday, when the country honours those who have fallen in conflict.

Around 15 minutes before the game kicked off, an announcement was made on the public address system that a silence would not be held - but no explanation was given.

When asked if there was a reason why a minute's silence was not observed, chairman Paul Scally today - who was at the game - said it was due to a "miscommunication" between the club and match officials.

Mr Scally said a message was not passed on and the member of staff responsible was "distraught".

He described it as a "ridiculous situation" and added: "I'm sorry about the miscommunication, I'm furious it didn't happen."

Many fans took to social media to slam the lack of a silence in the aftermath of Saturday's match.

Brackley Town players show their despair at the final whistle after Gills' last-gasp equaliser in the last meeting at Priestfield. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Brackley Town players show their despair at the final whistle after Gills' last-gasp equaliser in the last meeting at Priestfield. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Simon Head wrote on Twitter: "The phrase says 'Lest we forget'. It appears @TheGillsFC forgot. No minute silence at Priestfield yesterday. Poor."

"That is disgusting from @TheGillsFC no minute silence even as a Gillingham fan I'm disgusted at my own club. No excuse," wrote Gary Hooper.


Video: Parades to mark Remembrance Sunday


And Sy Chaplin tweeted: "The Medway Towns have big connections with the armed forces yet no minute silence at @TheGillsFC game yesterday! Explanations are needed!"

A Football League spokesman told the Medway Messenger: "We leave it to the individual clubs on how they mark it [Remembrance Sunday]."

The furore comes as Mr Scally today appointment Peter Taylor as permanent club manager until the end of the season.

What do you think? Join the debate below.


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