GILLINGHAM chairman Paul Scally will seek compensation from Division 2 Bristol City at a Nationwide League tribunal next month alleging the club made an illegal approach for former manager Tony Pulis when he quit Priestfield in 1999.

The hearing has been set for December 16. A venue has still to be decided. The news will increase tensions when Pulis returns to Priestfield as Stoke City’s new manager on November 30.

The Gillingham chairman raised the matter of compensation with City director Keith Dawe at the annual chairmen’s meeting in the close-season but was unable to resolve the issue.

Mr Scally fired Pulis in acrimonious circumstances in June 1999. The following month Pulis was apppointed manager of City on a five-year contract.

The Gills chairman failed in attempts to persuade both Bristol City and Stoke, whom Pulis was originally linked with, to assist with paying the £250,000 legal bill from the High Court battle with his former manager.