GRAVESEND chairman Brian Kilcullen has stoked the fires of controversy over Gillingham's proposed move into the borough with his strongest rebuke yet for the club's Football League neighbours.

Gillingham are seeking to relocate to a new purpose built stadium that would be a part of a multi-million pound complex at Ebbsfleet, which is a long goal kick from the Fleet's home at Stonebridge Road.

Earlier this month, Mr Kilcullen rejected Gillingham advances to ground-share in a 30,000 capacity stadium and insisted the club would go it alone in building a new stadium. Now, he wants Gillingham to stay out of Gravesham.

He said: "I don't think it's right that clubs move from one area to another. How, for instance, would Brighton supporters feel if their club moved to Crawley? And what would the Crawley fans think about it?

“I think I have a good idea because I have yet to meet anyone in the game who thinks moving clubs outside their conurbation is a good idea.

"We're no different. We're a big enough club and ambitious enough to do our own thing. We're focussing on being the home town club and doing what is right for us and our supporters."

He confirmed the club were continuing discussions with Gravesham Council over finding both a suitable site and the purchase of the Beauwater Leisure for training and community work.

He added: "With all the redevelopment going on in the area there is land available. We have started work on the design and feasibility of a major leisure development scheme in the area.

"We're putting together a team of professionals to work on the plans and it will include a new stadium for the Fleet.

“The club believe it is possible to design an arena that will be a source of pride locally without it needing to have a capacity of 20,000 plus.

"We fully recognise the scheme must be visionary and exciting enough to bring profile and attract inward investment to the region. Our feasibility study will also focus on ensuring any scheme is financially sustainable over the long-term."

Mr Kilcullen's stance is sure to galvanise opinion ahead of a public meeting called by supporters for Thursday, December 2 at the Fleet Social Club, Stonebridge Road.

Dave Holden, secretary of the Fleet Supporters' Trust, said the meeting would take the form of an open forum.

He denied any knowledge of rumours that the Trust were prepared to field candidates in local elections.