Work on Ebbsfleet’s multi-million-pound redevelopment of Stonebridge Road starts next week.

The club revealed their plan to transform the stadium almost a year ago, with a new main stand set to replace the Liam Daish Stand which runs parallel to Stonebridge Road itself.

Fleet bosses had hoped to demolish the old structure last summer but archaeological complications held them up.

And with the team fighting for promotion, the decision was taken not to inconvenience supporters by knocking down the terrace – which houses the majority of Fleet fans – during the season.

However, vice-chairman Peter Varney confirmed: "We’re now ready to start the stand. Work starts on January 4 but it’s work that doesn’t affect the fans.

"It’ll be getting the electrical supply into the right places, a little bit of sewer work, a little bit of archaeology work, all the things we need to do that won’t affect the fans.

"Behind the scenes we’ll be clearing things, hoarding will go up on January 4 and when the season ends, we’ll be ready to go and we won’t be held up by waiting for utility companies because that will all have been sorted out."

Extra facilities in the new main stand will help Ebbsfleet become financially sustainable and as the club’s shop window, it’s hoped it will also help attract new supporters.

Mr Varney said: "It’s going to transform the club in so many different ways. There’s not many times you see a £4.5million stand go up.

"I look forward to the day when we’ve got (things right) outside the ground. If you pass Ebbsfleet, you probably wouldn’t even know there’s a ground here.

"It’s just seeing that stand go up because it’s going to transform the club inside and outside.

"That is a pretty busy major road going back there and suddenly you’ll see this fantastic new stand and we’re starting to come on the map.

"That sends out a signal to people of our intent to ultimately get this club into the Football League.

"When you drive past and you just see a load of old plywood and razor wire it’s hardly welcoming, is it? With the 15,000 new homes coming into the area, people are going to be looking at their local club.

"If it looks like a load of old plywood, it’s not something you’re attracted to but if you’ve got a bright, shiny £4.5m new stand, maybe it’s worth having a trip down there.

"That’s a key part in how we’re going to build the support of the club going forward.

"As those houses come on, don’t worry, we’ll be there with a variety of initiatives to make sure they come here before they go anywhere else."