GILLINGHAM'S player-manager Andy Hessenthaler has stepped into the long-running dispute over his players' bonuses for the first time and called for a speedy conclusion to the saga.

Following the collapse of ITV Digital and the subsequent loss of millions of pounds for all Division 1 clubs, Gillingham chairman Paul Scally wants to re-negotiate the bonus sheet. He and Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the players' union the PFA, met in Manchester earlier this month in an attempt to resolve the issue.

Hessenthaler said: “It’s important I was in on the meetings but I've heard enough and left it to PFA representative Mark Patterson and club captain Paul Smith. They don’t want to be greedy but they deserve some sort of bonus.

“Hopefully this week we can sort it out, get it done and dusted and get on with our football.”

Under their existing terms, Gillingham players receive £350 a game provided the club remain in Division 1. Last season’s bonuses are being paid, despite Gillingham’s substantial loss of revenue.

Should this latest round of talks fail to reach agreement over a new structure, then, under the terms of their contracts, the players will revert to their existing agreement.