GILLINGHAM skipper Paul Smith faces Wolves tonight determined to celebrate his 30th birthday and the signing of a four-year contract that keeps him at Priestfield until 2005.

Months of wrangling ended when Smith, Gillingham's Player of the Year, finally agreed the deal which he admits has given him peace of mind.

So concerned had Smith become over the lack of progress that he had fixed a deadline for the end of this month to settle his future, leaving the club with the prospect of losing their most influential player on a Bosman free next summer when his old agreement expired.

"The chairman called me yesterday afternoon when everything was agreed," said Smith.

"It came as a tremendous relief because I never wanted to leave Gillingham. I had made that perfectly clear from the start. When I signed the new deal it gave me peace of mind and leaves me to concentrate on my football.

"I'm getting married next year so this contract gives me the security I was looking for."

Smith's close friend Barry Ashby committed himself to the club until 2005 by signing a new four-year deal today while Roland Edge finally signed a two-year agreement after more than a year of negotiations.

Since his previous agreement expired in June, he had been playing on weekly contracts.

Kevin James is also set to sign a three-year extension that keeps him at the club until 2004.