Gillingham’s supporters’ group has urged fans to end the ‘foul and abusive language’ used in chants against their struggling team.
Gillingham FC Supporters’ Club released a statement in the wake of Tuesday night’s 5-1 home defeat to MK Dons at Priestfield Stadium.
Frustrations boiled over at Priestfield during the heavy loss, with similar chanting heard in the 3-0 defeat to Oldham Athletic earlier this month.
While the supporters’ group said it understood fans’ anger over recent performances, they also warned that the level of abusive language from the stands was not going to help.
It said: “We fully understand and accept the growing frustration coming from the terraces, but we urge supporters to stop using what is clearly foul and very abusive language in chants aimed at both the management and the players during games.
“It can only have a detrimental effect on our own team while also giving a clear lift to the opposition.”
The group also stressed that the atmosphere being created risked undermining efforts to keep Priestfield a welcoming environment for families and younger fans.
“Off the field, our football club is keen to build a family-friendly atmosphere and the younger fans of today will hopefully be loyal supporters for a lifetime,” the statement continued.
“But the chants coming from a minority of ‘fans’ will hardly encourage them to return.”
While acknowledging that results and performances have fallen below expectations in recent weeks, the supporters’ club insisted the level of criticism being heard during matches is counter-productive – particularly with a number of younger players currently in the side due to injuries.
Teenager Michael Luxton came on to make his debut in Tuesday’s defeat and fellow youngster Louie Dayal was named among the substitutes.
“The team’s performances of late have not been to the standard that we all want to see and the football has not been easy on the eye,” the statement said.
“But the type of criticism heard from the terraces will not improve things and is a negative influence on the whole team – particularly the younger players who have been added to the squad given the current crop of injuries.”
The group finished by calling on fans to unite behind the team for the remainder of the season.
“Please get behind the team – Up the Gills!”
Gillingham head to third-placed Cambridge United this Saturday where they come up against the club’s former manager Neil Harris.
