Chatham Town’s new 3G pitch is complete in time to welcome the Gills on Friday night.

Gillingham are sending a young team to take on James Collins’ ambitious Southern Counties East side for the grand opening of their new pitch.

Chatham have already been training on the new surface at the Bauvill stadium, which replaces the grass pitch that was dug up at the end of the season.

Club chairman Kevin Hake was at the forefront of the renovation that took just eight weeks to complete.

Mr Hake said: “It’s been a long journey for us but the pleasure we saw in the players' faces when they saw the stadium for the first time made it all worth it.”

Chatham, who include former Gills player Jack Evans in their ranks, play the Gills on Friday night, kick off 7pm.

The Chats chairman said: “So many people have popped into the ground to check on progress and the community have really embraced the change.

“We are at the first stage of creating an area of sporting excellence and although our primary focus is football we will be catering for sports rehabilitation, nutrition and personal fitness with the facilities we have.

“I am proud that this facility is available in Chatham and I hope this not only benefits the football club but the community as a whole.

“The power of sport can be used in so many ways interacting with people and helping them to develop both mentally and physically. Far too often sport is overlooked but I believe we can achieve something’s special at Chatham Town that will be a lasting legacy for both this generation and future ones to come.”

Chats have recently agreed a three-year stadium naming rights and kit sponsorship deal with construction company Bauvill.

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