GILLINGHAM chairman Paul Scally will seek sanctuary in the cauldron atmosphere of Ewood Park tomorrow after a traumatic 10 days he is desperate to forget.

Scally's problems started piling up last week when he failed in his appeal to overturn a £10,000 fine levied by the FA for a bet he is alleged to have made on the 1999 play-off final between the Gills and Manchester City.

Then, this week the club were told they had to pull down part of their new Medway Stand because it contravenes building regulations.

And now he's facing up to the prospect of losing star-striker Carl Asaba after he rejected the club's latest offer of a new improved contract.

Scally, however, is not the type to shy away from a fight.

And, as the spotlight is turned back to matters on the pitch tomorrow, he plans to lead from the front as the newly-promoted Gills battle to keep their place in the First Division.

When Scally first came on board, the club were in danger of going to the wall because of crippling financial problems.

But the outspoken chairman, who made his money in the computer world, stumped up the cash to save them from extinction.

And he has since masterminded a transformation which has culminated in the Gills stepping into the First Division for the first time in 80 years.

It's not been plain sailing all the way, however. Former boss Tony Pulis was controversially sacked for 'gross misconduct' in the wake of their heartbreaking Second Division play-off final defeat against Manchester City two years ago.

Then his successor, Peter Taylor, was suddenly headhunted by Leicester just 12 months after taking over.

Now, former Watford midfielder Andy Hessenthaler is the man charged with delivering the goods. And, so far, he's made a fair job of steering the club through previously unchartered waters.

But, while Hessenthaler tries to win the battles on the pitch, Scally is ready to wage war off it.

And, one of the main challenges on his agenda is the battle to clear his name in the wake of betting allegations.

"I still haven't had my case heard despite the fact I've been fined £10,000 courtesy of comments and witness statements made by the local Press," said Scally.

"I think it's a case of the blind leading the blind and it's a ridiculous decision.

"I've asked the lawyers to look at the next step because this is by no means over.

"And I won't rest until such time as I have a proper hearing which will clear my name of the allegations made.

"I didn't place a bet on the game in question, I didn't have a hearing to defend myself and they found me guilty in my absence which can't be right." His fight to keep hold of Asaba -- a crucial weapon in their survival plan -- could be just as tough.

But, like Hessenthaler's troops on the pitch, he won't be a pushover.

"We made him a huge offer, but his father rejected it and told us it wasn't enough --extraordinarily," said Scally.

"He's out of contract at the end of the season and I daresay his father believes he will achieve a contract elsewhere which is even more substantial than the offer we made him. It's a double-edged sword, though, because I believe there are a lot of players who think they'll get huge pay packets when they're out of contract but they will find that clubs can't afford to pay them huge wages.

"I've had no offers for Carl in the last two years and, unless he starts playing to get himself back in the shop window, then I don't think there'll be many clubs banging on his door to sign him at any cost."

Strong words from a strong character.