GILLINGHAM will take part in a rebranded competition next season as the Football League aims to close the gap on the Premiership.

Division 1 will be known as The Championship in an attempt to boost the status and media awareness of the competition.

And Divisions 2 and 3 will be re-named League 1 and League 2 in a complete overhaul of the league's image.

Teams promoted from Division 1 to the Premiership have struggled to survive in recent years, but the Football League is hoping the rebranding process will lead to a higher standard of football.

Football League officials are hoping the change of name will have the same level of success as when the old Division 1 became the Premiership in 1992, leading to bigger crowds and a better image.