Fears that Gillingham will be getting some unwelcome company in Kent have been brushed off by chairman Paul Scally.

League 1 rivals Millwall are in a long-running battling with Lewisham Borough Council over the compulsorily purchase of areas around their home ground.

The South London side fear that developments around The Den would make it difficult to continue running the club on that site, despite the actual ground not being affected.

Millwall’s community trust could be evicted and their youth academy may also be under threat.

A council meeting this week is set to confirm the CPO and ahead of that the club chief executive Steve Kavanagh told the Guardian: “The chairman (John Berylson) has always been determined that this would never happen, but under such circumstances any and every option would have to be considered to secure the football club and the Millwall Community Trust's future as viable concerns."

One of those considerations could be moving from their home ground in Bermondsey to the north Kent coast.

Millwall’s American chairman Mr Berylson had previously been in favour of the council's desire to regenerate the area, but the club has been excluded from the plans.

Mr Scally, who grew up as a Millwall fan, isn’t worried.

The Gills chairman said: “I am quite close to it but it is of no interest to me particularly, it is what it is.

“Millwall have got a stadium and some land they are fighting over, they are trying to push the council into giving them the land.

“I don’t see Millwall being able to move from where they are and I don’t see that happening in the next five or 10 years. Millwall is Millwall, that is where they are based, that is their conurbation. You can’t just up it and move.

“They have a stadium, it’s got a long-term lease on it and because they aren’t getting some planning on housing doesn’t affect the football club or us really.

“It’s not even on my radar.”

The Gills are hoping to relocate themselves in the near future and Mr Scally – who once considered Gravesham as a possible alternative to Priestfield - hopes to be able to hold consolations and presentations with fans early this year.

A site adjacent to their training ground at Mill Hill in Gillingham is where Mr Scally would like to build his new stadium.

“I would like to have planning this time next year but there is lots to do yet,” he said.

Related Stories

Challenge on for Gills

Home fans must wait for Ady homecoming

Lovell: Priestfield return a no-brainer

New coach happy to play supporting role