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 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.
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.
Stories you might have missed
Man quizzed in murder probe as friends pay tribute to victim
Boy arrested after knife found at school
Smoke billows across A2 as yard goes up in flames
Pair held after perfume raid on chemist
Latest news
Features
Most popular
- 1
Boy, 16, found safe after going missing nine days ago
2 - 2
‘This rat-run bridge isn’t wide enough - someone will be killed soon’
- 3
Only shop in village to shut this week as ‘devastated’ couple leave Kent
15 - 4
A-road shut in both directions after water main bursts
- 5
Mum joined teen son in smashing up ex’s family home and car