GILLINGHAM have been drawn away on the opening day of a season for only the second time in 16 years. They have been paired with troubled Wimbledon on Saturday, August 10.

But both sets of supporters are being kept waiting as to whether the match will be played at the Dons present home at Selhurst Park or at Milton Keynes where chairman Charles Koppel wants them to relocate.

Nationwide League spokesman Dennis Signy said: "At the moment the official line is that we don't know where the match will be played. Nothing has been clarified over where Wimbledon will start the season."

Should they start the season at the Milton Keynes Hockey Stadium, thousands of Gills fans face the prospect of being locked out on the opening day as the ground has only a small capacity.

Andy Hessenthaler's men open their campaign at Priestfield the following Tuesday with a mouth-watering clash against newly-relegated Derby. The match presents a reunion for Gills coach Richard Hill with his old Wycombe boss John Gregory, now in charge of Derby.

It is the first of two possible Priestfield sell-outs in four days as arch-rivals Millwall visit on August 17. On August 31, Gillingham make their debut at Leicester's new Walkers Stadium.

Gills fans will welcome Boxing Day's short journey to Millwall's New Den for the second derby of the season before rounding off the year at home to Wimbledon on December 28.

The New Year starts for Gillingham at home to last season's promotion play-off finalists Norwich. On January 11 they make their debut at Derby's magnificent Pride Park.

Former tenants Brighton & Hove Albion return to Priestfield on Saturday, March 1, but Gills supporters will be wondering how many will be able to see the first match of the season between the two clubs on September 14 at Withdean Stadium with its restricted capacity.