GILLINGHAM'S assistant manager Richard Hill has been linked with the manager's job at Northampton which became vacant following the sacking of Kevin Wilson. Hill, a former Northampton player, is rumoured to have been short-listed for the job.

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler said: "Although we have not been approached by Northampton for Richard, as soon as the job became vacant, I knew he would be connected because he's still a hero from his playing days there. He's told me he's happy here and doesn't want to return to management. But if the chance came his way, especially with Northampton, he might consider it.

"We greatly value his services here but if he came to me and said he wanted to go, how could we stand in his way?"

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Gillingham's players could be the first in the country to take industrial action in the continuing wrangle between their union, the Professional Footballers' Association, and the football authorities. Gillingham are due to play Watford in a televised match from Priestfield Stadium on Sunday, November 18, at the time when strike action would be due to start.

"If there is a strike call I can't see how we can not obey the instruction," said Mark Patterson, Gillingham's PFA representative.