A COUNCIL blunder has allowed Gillingham FC to pay a token sum to use a £1 million council-owned soccer complex for three years while local teams have been thrown off their pitches for not paying rent.

An extraordinary series of mistakes by Medway Council officials allowed the club to pay only a "peppercorn" rent to use an area at Beechings Cross known as the Lower Patch to train for all their matches.

They also had official use of six changing rooms in the purpose-built complex.

It is estimated the council lost £120,000 in rent as a result. The council is now drawing up a new agreement, but rent owed before July 1, 2002, will be written off.

Oversights in the leisure services department of Medway Council meant no one realised the Division One club was not paying.

Three years ago council officers had recommended that the First Division side should have free use. But councillors were unhappy.

They ordered officers to negotiate a commercial deal with the club, and charge them rent, in the same way that local teams have to pay for the facilities.

Contracts were drawn up, but during changes in the department management the contracts were forgotten.

Medway Today Sunday League spokesman, Colin Boswell said: "It is extraordinary that local clubs can--and do--lose the use of their grounds if they don't pay up their £300 rent promptly each season, yet the Gills can get away with it.

A Medway Council spokesman said a new contract was being drawn up.

She said: "This is a new contract between Medway Council and Gillingham Football Club and supersedes the original contract, which was terminated last year.

"The heads of agreement for the initial contract which was drawn up in 2000 stated that the club would pay a peppercorn rent, until such times as the contract was terminated and a new contract and new terms could be agreed.

"Medway Council has drawn up a new contract, which seeks a much more realistic rent.

"This contract is backdated and is being actively pursued by the council."

Cabinet members responsible for council taxpayers money turned down invitations to comment.

Last week Gills players abandoned the windswept reaches of Beechings Cross to train in Spain before their weekend FA Cup clash with Leeds United.