GILLINGHAM'S opening league match of the season against Wimbledon on Saturday, August 10, may be played in a near-empty stadium.

More fans could be outside the ground as both sets of supporters make a peaceful protest by forming a human chain in a show of solidarity that will snake around the ground.

The protest is designed to raise awareness of Wimbledon supporters' plight after the Football Association controversially agreed to allow them to relocate 70 miles from their fan base to Milton Keynes.

Increasing numbers of Gillingham supporters are ready to stay away in sympathy with pleas from Wimbledon fans to boycott the match - irrespective or whether it is played at Milton Keynes or at Selhurst Park.

Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel’s statement this week that there was only a 50-50 chance of the match being played at Milton Keynes and that the club were likely to start the season at Selhurst Park, has done nothing to defuse the situation.

The Wimbledon Independent Supporters’ Association are asking supporters of every club in the Nationwide League, Division 1 to boycott Wimbledon home games.

Gillingham season-ticket holder Mark Agate, secretary of the Gills Independent Supporters' Club and the National Federation of Football Supporters' Clubs, has already announced that he will stay away.

Simon Baker, of Gillingham's award winning fanzine Brian Moore's Head, said: “I believe this will split the Gillingham support.

“Some fans will say that ‘it's got nothing to do with us’ and others will look at the wider picture and the implications for all clubs.

“Personally I believe you must look at the wider picture and that's why I won't be going to that game.

“On the day it will boil down to personal choice.”

Some Gillingham supporters will go and watch the newly-formed AFC Wimbledon, who have been elected to the Combined Counties League. Among them will be Gillingham season ticket holder Keith Pestell.

Mr Pestell, who is joint publisher of the Gills Independent Supporters’ Club website, said: “It doesn’t matter where the match is played, I will not be attending.

“If Gillingham moved 70 miles away from Medway how would Gills fans feel? If AFC Wimbledon are playing that day I will go and watch.

“Alternatively, the Gillingham supporters will play the Wimbledon supporters in a match.”

Alan Liprott, co-publisher of the website, added: “I think there is every chance that Gillingham and Wimbledon will stay outside the ground and form a human chain in a peaceful protest.

“What's happened to Wimbledon could be the start of the franchising of football clubs in this country. We saw what happened to Charlton and Brighton so it's important that all football fans stick together on this issue. It may be Wimbledon today, but who will it be tomorrow ?”