Paul Scally says I Voted Against Leeds

Gills chairman Paul Scally has taken time out of the hunt for a new manager to reveal that he voted in favour of Leeds' 15-point deduction.

Leeds, who were relegated after going into administration last season, were deducted 15 more points in the summer after previous chairman Ken Bates controversially bought the club back.

United's appeals against the decision have been rejected, but they have already wiped out the deduction - and moved on to six points - by winning their first seven games.

And Scally, who is no stranger to controversy and was one of the main voices behind the introduction of a 10-point penalty for teams going into administration, has revealed he agrees completely with Leeds' deduction - although he does have sympathy with the club's fans and players.

He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: 'I don't need to hide behind anonymity or a secret ballot. I voted with the League's board and I think I was right to do so.

'I wasn't responsible for deciding whether Leeds should be punished, or what their punishment should be.

"Neither were any of the clubs. The board took that decision, and we were simply asked to back one party or the other using the evidence in front of us.

"The League's explanation seemed very convincing to me and, to be honest, I thought Leeds United's case was really poor. I asked a couple of questions and got answers from Leeds which I felt were completely unsatisfactory. There wasn't any real doubt about which way I should vote.

'It's a shame that the fans at Leeds have had to suffer, and I feel sorry for the players and staff as well.

'I actually know Dennis Wise well, and I'd be very upset if I was in the position he was in at the start of the season.

'But at the end of the day this was the Football League board's decision, and I don't think Leeds' argument against it was good enough.