Gills chairman Paul Scally is entering the busiest period of his year with the playing budget for next season high on his agenda.

Mr Scally has spent the last few weeks soaking up the glory of winning League 2 but is now ready for a summer of hard work.

Manager Martin Allen wants his team to be competitive next season and has already targeted players so that can happen.

Mr Scally said: “We will always try and bring in new players and more players, because that’s our culture and that’s what we work for.

“But I haven’t done the budget yet for next season, so I can’t really finalise the playing list until I have done the budget.

“It is a process that happens over May and June really, I don’t think there is a particular day or week I do it – it is just an ongoing process.

“We could still be signing players in July, we probably will be. There is not a particular date that we have to finish it all by.

“We could still be signing players in July, we probably will be. There is not a particular date that we have to finish it all by.

“It is just you want to try and formulate what players are available now and who you might be going with. That’s the process Martin and his team are working on, and presenting those players, the options and potential to me.”

The Gills received several unexpected cash windfalls last season, with the sale of Paulo Gazzaniga to Southampton, a £1million-plus profit due from a sell-on clause for Matt Jarvis and on-going add-ons in the deal that saw Ryan Bertrand head to Chelsea.

That cash-injection was a bonus that the Gills don’t have this season.

“We have always invested in the teams since I have been here,” said Mr Scally, who insisted he won’t overspend.

“There has never been anything different, but we will only invest money we have, we won’t invest money we don’t have.

“Martin has been fortunate that due to (former manager) Andy Hessenthaler’s good business in the transfer market, in so far as acquiring Gazzaniga and handing Matt Jarvis his first contract, and down to my experience in doing transfer deals, with Ryan Bertrand as well, we have managed to benefit over the last year or so with some extra cash.

“That extra cash has part-funded the new management that has come in and part-funded the additional players.

“I think had Hessy had that cash the year before, he would no doubt have brought inconditioning and strengthening coaches, nutritionists, and those sorts of people, but unfortunately we didn’t have that money and so he didn’t and he couldn’t.

“Martin has benefited, in that we have been able to bring in better players, more players and more backroom staff.

“There is no doubt those people have had an impact on the team, making it fitter and stronger, mentally and physically.”