GILLINGHAM have been stunned by the news that both defender Nyron Nosworthy and striker Marlon King will not be renewing their contracts when they expire in 2005.

King, who is the subject of constant transfer speculation linking him with a move to Nottingham Forest, is expected to move sooner rather than later. But Nosworthy's decision was a bolt out the blue.

A product of the club's youth scheme, he was offered a professional contract midway through the 1998-99 season and has never looked back after establishing himself in the side. Nosworthy, 23 on Saturday, signed a new three year deal just before the home game against Millwall in August, 2002.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally commented: "The news just reinforces my belief that there is no loyalty in football."