One Final Game?

At the age of 37 ex Roots Hall stopper, Simon Royce, will get his first chance to play at Wembley in the League 2 play-off final this weekend.

However, Royce knows that this may also be his last game, for the Gills at least, as he has still to be offered a new contract for next season.

Gillingham reached the play-offs despite an indifferent start to the season which included a 7-0 drubbing away at Shrewsbury, their Wembley opponents for a place in League 1 next season.

Gillingham will probably also include ex Southend players Mark Bentley and Gary Richards in Saturday's squad which is managed by ex Southend left-back, Mark Stimson.

After a seven years with Southend, Royce played in the Premiership for Charlton and Leicester before a spell at QPR and finally Gillingham. He has made over 350 first team appearances in his 18 year career to date.

Speaking to the Echo this week Roycey said: "I never thought I would ever play at Wembley and I was quite emotional in the dressing room afterwards. To wait until now is fantastic and I mean to make the most of it. I've actually played more games this season than during any other of my career which is great and hopefully now I can finish it off with a win to get the club back into League One."

If it is to be Royce's last game, Wembley would be a fitting place to play it.

The Royce Files

Full name	Simon Ernest Royce
Date of birth	September 9, 1971 (1971-09-09) (age 37)
Place of birth	Forest Gate, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Gillingham
Number	1
Senior career1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1991-1998 1998-1999 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002 2002- 2003 2003-2005 2004-2005 2005 2005-2007 2007 2007-	Southend United Charlton Athletic Leicester City → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) → Manchester City (loan) → Queens Park Ranger (loan) Charlton Athletic → Luton Town (loan) → Queens Park Rangers (loan) Queens Park Rangers → Gillingham (loan) Gillingham	149 (0) 008 (0) 019 (0) 006 (0) 000 (0) 016 (0) 001 (0) 002 (0) 013 (0) 050 (0) 003 (0) 075 (0)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 25 April 2009 (UTC).

(Player information supplied by Wikipedia)