Ebbsfleet United’s new owners have not ruled out changing the club’s name back to Gravesend & Northfleet.

Some supporters have cited the Fleet’s name change in 2007 as a reason for dropping attendances at Stonebridge Road. And their new Kuwaiti owners KEH Sports want to pull in home crowds of 1,500 at Stonebridge Road.

But executive vice-chairman Peter Varney has his reservations about a switch he believes could do more harm than good.

He said: "I’m conscious a lot of fans would prefer the name as Gravesend & Northfleet but you’ve got to measure that against the fact that with Ebbsfleet developing over the next few years, is it the name Ebbsfleet that’s going to be synonymous with the investment?

"Commercially, it could be a massive thing for the club and actually going back to the name – and I’m not prejudging anything – could damage the club commercially.

"We haven’t taken any decisions. We’re conscious of what some fans think and need to make an assessment.”