GILLINGHAM'S player-of-the-year awards will be announced this weekend.

Saturday night will see the club name their player-of-the-year at the end of season dinner dance, with the official supporters’ club handing out their gong the following day.

The very idea that anyone would merit such an accolade after Gillingham’s start to the campaign seems ludicrous.

Before Andy Hessenthaler’s resignation in late November, the Gills players had almost universally under performed - winning just four of 21 games until the player-manager walked.

But Stan Ternent’s arrival revitalised a number of players’ seasons and has seen them make late bids to be named player-of-the-year.

Skipper Paul Smith has led by example in the second half of the campaign - dominating in midfield and popping up with vital goals against Stoke and Ipswich - and could be in line for a record fourth award.

Ian Cox is another player who has gone from strength to strength under the guidance of his old Burnley mentor Ternent, winning rave reviews for his performance during the run-in.

Darius Henderson is also be in running for the prize after finding his scoring touch in recent months.

After suffering injury problems and being sent on loan to Swindon, Henderson has topped the scoring charts with nine this season, including a brace in a famous win over promotion-chasing Wigan.

Ternent’s first permanent signing Michael Flynn and Blackburn loan duo Jay McEveley and Jonathan Douglas have also impressed, but their lack of time at the club could count against them.

The Gills Independent Supporters Club will also be naming their successor to Danny Spiller at the Franklin Rooms on Saturday.

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