Will Simon Royce be in Gillingham colours again next season?

by Luke Cawdell

Simon Royce admits that he and Gillingham are "miles apart" after stalling on the offer of a new one-year deal.

The goalkeeper kept 19 clean sheets last season for the Gills, a personal record, and played in 49 games but he could have played his last for the club.

Royce, 37, feels he still has plenty to offer after helping the Gills to promotion back to League 1.

He said: "It’s not quite what I’m after at the moment and so we’re still in negotiations.

"I’ve got a family and things I’ve got to pay for. I can understand a little where they are coming from but at the moment we’re miles apart.

"I’m not ready to quit and I’m not the only one saying that as people saw how I performed last season, I’m not ready to give up.

"It would be hard to leave and I want to stay but something might have to happen to get what I want."

Royce hasn’t dismissed the offer completely and a decision may have to wait until he’s taken a holiday.

He said: "I haven’t rejected the offer but I’m just going to have a breather as it has been a long season. I’ll have to have a chat with my family and think about it.

"It’s not an easy situation to be in but after the season I’ve just had and the two seasons before that, I thought it might be easier, although I never take anything for granted. I’ll come back refreshed. I would like to think that the manager won’t put me under too much pressure, he’s pretty amicable."

Meanwhile, Millwall have been linked with a move for Charlton’s Josh Wright, who finished the season on loan at Gillingham.