More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Millwall FC have purchased a huge plot of land in Kent to build a new training ground in a move billed as a "huge step forward" for the club.
The south east London-based outfit wants to build new facilities which would be "amongst the best in the country" in West Kingsdown, near Dartford, it says.
Chief executive Steve Kavanagh confirmed the purchase of a "significant area of land" in Kent in a statement yesterday.
The Championship club have already appointed architects and hope to submit a full planning application shortly.
The Lions currently train at Calmont Road in Bromley – just over 15 miles away – but the club doesn’t own the facility and the lease is set to expire soon.
Club chief Kavanagh told supporters the process was still in its infancy but they had consulted with local Kent residents on Monday and will continue to do so.
Planning is expected to take at least a year and Millwall FC says it will engage with all stakeholders including Sevenoaks Council and the Highways Agency throughout.
Mr Kavanagh said should the complex be built on land off Fawkham Road it would represent a "huge step forward for the football club on and off the pitch".
"Greater synergy between our first team and academy set-ups is an imperative objective, as is the enhancing links between the football and business sides of the club," he explained.
"More generally the aim is to build and maintain training facilities which are amongst the best in the country.
"This will enable us to improve our own players to maximise their individual and collective potential and to become a more attractive proposition to new recruits across all departments."
But the club boss said it was equally important the move benefited the local community where the facilities would be based.
He said: "We want to make a real impact within the area of West Kingsdown and as such, will look to widen the outstanding work of the Millwall Community Trust so that residents of all ages and backgrounds can benefit from their varying programmes, projects, and funding.
"What we need to do is better understand the challenges of the area and the problems faced by those who live nearby so that the Community Trust’s efforts can be tailored to best suit those objectives."
Ahead of the planning stage, Mr Kavanagh warned against complacency, adding it was crucial to "take one step at a time".
"Next up is the task of submitting a full planning application and then following the formal process necessary within that," he said.
"We will be as open and transparent as we can be throughout the months and years ahead while also maintaining the confidentiality required at varying stages."
