---- I want Scally out --- and guess what - Scally wants Scally out ! At Oxford on Saturday, there was a small group of Gills fans who 'voiced' their feelings towards our Chairman. Discussion about Mr. Scally would certainly have plenty of material. It would have his supporters and detractors both justifying their opinions. The business skills of Mr.Scally has brought GFC improvements off the pitch, and some historical success on it. The consequences of several (too many), activities ( not always associated with football -and some matters of a personal nature ), haven't done GFC any favours. Whatever is your personal opinion about our Chairman - the fact remains that without him, GFC would almost certainly not exist. His intervention in 1995 ensured the immediate future of the Club. A lot has happened since. Sadly, once again we are not in 'good shape' - both in play and finances. Scally's critics could point to the lack of his investment in the players that could bring us better results - whilst, at the same time he is taking a huge 'consultancy fee.' ( at our expense ) - and this group of fans are right ! -- but -- there will be people who will say that Scally saved the Club - and caused the improvements to infrastructure - and is ( probably ),currently underwriting a huge debt ( £9.05 Million ) -on which GFC have not had to pay even the interest that would have been due - and that, with any other business venture, it would have been bankrupt by its' creditors long ago. ... and Scally's supporters would also be right! The only person who will win the argument about Scally's position at the Club is....... Mr. Scally ! Rightly, or wrongly he has a financial stranglehold over the Club. I have no doubt that he may be 'tired' of his responsibility and the strains and stresses in 'running' the business - and that he would love for somebody to come in and take the Club off his hands. But - whilst that isn't happening, he will feel justified to continue to extract his salary - all the time that the Club can struggle to pay him ---------- and, of course - when (not if ), the money runs out, Mr.Scally can simply walk away and start his new venture - property development. The income he could achieve would be colossal compared to his current consultancy fee - and he wouldn't have to listen to people encouraging him to be out. I want what is best for the Club. I don't think that, currently Mr. Scally is able to achieve that desire. What I definitely don't want is what is best for Mr.Scally - for him to be out. ........ so a message to the 'choir ' - the next time you start to sing - don't be surprised if your voice has turned soprano - it'll be because Mr.Scally has got hold of you by the balls.
As someone who has supported the club through various different Chairmen Scally is not the worst by far, with promotion to the Championship, winning a league title, Improving the stadium. Yes he does frustrate me at times and yes I would like more investment, however I don't remember any previous Chairmen who have invested any more or done anymore for the club.
If it's the same supporters i think we are talking about, with the big banner, they've been about for a number of years. I remember the same big banner some years back displayed outside a boozer. The haters will keep hating...not meant in a detriment term, they just don't like him, and have not liked him for a number of years. Think i will remain on the fence.
From what I can gather from the relatively small amount of information that one can glean from the last financial statements and at Companies House, it would appear that it's the club (GFC) that is underwriting the debt, and that's the problem. Scally say's the club is debt free - which it might be - but it would seem that the club is guaranteeing the £9.05m loan up to the value of the club - Barclays has a very restrictive charge on the club. There are quite probably other guarantees in place as well as the club isn't worth £9.05m, but the bottom line is that nobody is going to buy GFC with that charge in place, as all they'll be buying is a potential liability up to the value of the club.
