by Trevor Sturgess

tsturgess@thekmgroup.co.uk

Gillingham FC can expect a £1 million windfall if they win the play-offs and promotion to League 1.
Apart from pride and glory, a lot of money is riding on the results of two play-off semi-final games and, if they get through, a Wembley final.
The Gills can expect around £100,000 from the two semis, with a potential Wembley pay-day estimated at between £400,000 and £500,000.
Playing next season in League 1 could net the club at least another half a million pounds.
Mark Jones, Gillingham FC chief executive, said these were ballpark figures and much depended on gate receipts and any sponsorship deals.
This season’s average gate of about 5,000 would probably rise to 6,500 in the higher division.
Mr Jones said: “Lots more money, a lot more people coming here, the average gate goes up, league fees are higher.”
Stronger teams would be more attractive to more fans he said, adding: “Bigger clubs, better-supported clubs, more away attendances which would help us, and overall a package of things that would increasingly make life better for us.”
Mr Jones said relegation last season had cost the club several hundred thousand pounds, but that would be recouped from promotion.
He said he was fairly confident about the outcome, but the players would have to work hard.
“I can’t determine what the players are going to do and how it’s going to be on the day but I think they are certainly capable of it.”
But for all his personal passion, the numbers would stay at the back of his mind. He said: “Running the business and keeping the finances stable is one of the most important parts apart from the playing side and we need to make sure we do that.”