Contractual dispute could spell the end for Southall

Last updated : 07 March 2005 By Simon Head

Southall: May have played his last match for the club

A number of supporters claim to have heard via a third party that Southall has a contract which has an automatic renewal clause, at pre-determined terms, after he has played a specified number of matches in a season.

It is claimed that Southall has now reached that threshold number of matches, meaning the club will have to automatically renew his contract if he plays another match this season. The rumour continues, suggesting that the club have offered the midfielder a new contract, at a lower wage level, which has been dismissed outright by Southall and his advisors.

If this situation cannot be resolved, it may mean that Nicky has played his last matcch for Gillingham Football Club. This would certainly explain why Southall, normally not the most demonstrative player at the club, removed his shirt and threw it into the Medway Stand after the Gills' memorable win against Wigan last weekend.

With both Nyron Nosworthy and John Hills suspended for this weekend's crucial match at Rotherham, manager Stan Ternent is in desperate need for replacements in the fullback/wingback areas. Richard Rose may be drafted in, but as a direct result of the current contractual situation, Ternent's other likely replacement for that position, Southall, may be declared unavailable for selection by the chairman.

While Southall's form for the club has been erratic over the last two seasons, he has been a consistent presence in the Gills side - and has provided cover as an emergency right back in the absence of Nyron Nosworthy in the past.

With the Gills desperate to pick up points in their battle for survival, this situation, if true, cannot be helping manager Stan Ternent as he looks to lead the team to Championship safety.

At present, this story can only be classed as rumour and speculation, but there's a fair chance that the team sheet on Saturday will give us a better idea of what's going on.

The big worry seems to be what is going on behind the scenes. Stan Ternent has been brought in to keep the team up, but non-football matter (i.e. contracts etc) may be working against him. Let's hope that the team can focus on the job in hand and get the result we so desperately need at Millmoor on Saturday.