Former Gillingham striker Mark McCammon has won his case against the club for being unfairly dismissed and that his dismissal was an act of racial victimisation.

The 33 year old had claimed that he had been subject to racial discrimination, unfair dismissal and that he had been unfairly treated whilst at the club.

McCammon had taken his case to tribunal at Ashford earlier this month and the following statement has been posted on the official website of Gillingham Football Club:

“Today we have received the decision of the Ashford Employment Tribunal which sets out their findings that Mark McCammon was unfairly dismissed and that his dismissal was an act of racial victimisation.

We are hugely disappointed, in fact staggered, by this decision. As an organisation we are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against, nor victimise our staff.

This case is the first of its kind to be brought against the Club in its entire history, a history that has seen the club employ many thousands of staff of various race, religion and creed, none of whom have ever felt the need to bring such a claim.

Given the nature of the case, and the findings, we will discuss the judgement with our lawyers and decide upon the next course of action, whether that be an appeal against the findings, or another form of action, as deemed appropriate.

There will be no further comment on the case by the Club until the matter has run its full course.”

Meanwhile, Mark McCammon’s solicitor, Sim Owolabi said: “Mr McCammon is relieved that he has been afforded the opportunity to put forward the truth about the experience he suffered at the hands of his former employers.

“He is pleased that the employment tribunal has found in his favour and feels that the judgment makes clear that his dismissal was not only unfair but an act of race victimisation.

“Mr McCammon raised a legitimate complaint of race discrimination, which the tribunal found that Mr Scally had discounted from the start as being without merit. Mr Scally did not bother to investigate the complaint and ultimately dismissed him because of it.

“The employment tribunal also made clear that the club’s witnesses not only colluded in the preparation of their witnesses statements leading to his dismissal but also colluded in the preparation of their evidence before the employment tribunal. Mr McCammon is astounded that the club went to such lengths to both dismiss him and win their case before the tribunal.

“Mr McCammon hopes that his success will make other players feel free to raise legitimate complaints of discrimination and not suffer the traumatic treatment that he has for doing so.

“He wishes to thank all those who stood by him during the very difficult and prolonged trial period which tested the courage of his supporters. Their support was invaluable and he now wishes to be able to put the matter behind him and carry on with his life.”

The chairman for anti-racism in football group Kick It Out, Lord Herman Ouseley, spoke of the effect the ruling will have on the way clubs treat their players and staff.

“It will inevitably have implications for all clubs about the way they treat people and do not discriminate against them on the grounds of race, colour, ethnicity or anything else.”

The tribunal will conveve again on Friday 10th August 2012 to determine the amount of damages Mr McCammon will be awarded.