GILLINGHAM'S players should receive their long overdue bonuses in the next 10 days (Tony Hudd writes).

Club chairman Paul Scally is to meet with Mick McGuire, deputy chief executive of the players' union, the Professional Footballers' Association, and local representative Bobby Barnes to try and bring about a speedy settlement.

Mr McGuire confirmed: “We intend seeing Paul Scally in the next 10 days and we want this sorted. If not, we will take it further.”

Asked what he meant by taking it further, he declined to elaborate.

None of the Gillingham squad received a penny in bonuses last season but neither were they asked to take pay cuts, as was the case at Division 1 rivals Ipswich and Watford.

Unlike non-playing staff, Football League and PFA rules mean players cannot have their contracts terminated or reduced in value without their consent. At no stage did the Gillingham players agree to have their bonuses deferred.

Mr Scally blamed the collapse of ITV Digital and the subsequent loss of millions of pounds for all Division 1 clubs for the delay. Under their existing terms, Gillingham players receive £350 a game, provided the club remain in Division 1.

For ever-present central defender Chris Hope, the club's new PFA representative, it adds up to £18,200.

Skipper Paul Smith needs the money to help with the completion of a home extension, goalkeeper Jason Brown wants the cash to help with wedding expenses while Barry Ashby has recently moved house.

Mr Barnes added: “There is dialogue, but apart from that I don't want to say anything that might prejudice talks.”

Mr Scally confirmed: “I'm waiting for discussions with the PFA."

At one stage, Mr Scally banned the PFA from Priestfield and when the players had a recent meeting with Mr Barnes it had to be in a local pub.