PRESSURE is mounting on Gillingham supporters to boycott the club’s opening league match of the new season away to Wimbledon. Since the fixtures were announced, Gills fans have found themselves at the forefront of what is developing into an emotion-charged issue as the Dons seek to locate to Milton Keynes.

The Football Association granted the club permission to move 80 miles from their fan base to Milton Keynes where they want to build a new stadium. In the meantime, the Dons want to play home games at the National Hockey Centre, which is also in the town.

Gillingham's unofficial website has been inundated with pleas from Wimbledon supporters imploring fans stay away – should the game go ahead in Milton Keynes.

Last week the Nationwide League confessed they were unsure where the fixture would be played while within the Football Association, who sanctioned the move, there are now serious reservations over the decision.

Mark Agate, secretary of both the Gills Independent Supporters’ Club and the National Federation of Supporters’ Clubs, said: “I believe the match will be played at Selhurst Park where Wimbledon have lodged for so long. I cannot see the Milton Keynes Hockey Centre receiving permission to stage league football by August 10.

*Gillingham striker Iffy Onuora was today linked with a move to Division 3 Bristol Rovers. The speculation comes just days after Andy Hessenthaler hinted that Onuora might have to be sacrificed to accommodate either Lloyd Owusu or Rod Wallace.

New Rovers manager Ray Graydon, who has cleared the decks at the club releasing 10 players, sees 34-year-old Onuora’s experience as vital in his rebuilding plans.

*Stockport boss Carlton Palmer is close to agreeing a deal for QPR’s former Gills striker Andy Thomson.

* Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler is to visit jailed Marlon King at Standford Hill prison on Sheppey today.