The building of Gillingham’s new fanzone at Priestfield Stadium is starting after the completion of demolition works and a club museum is being planned too

Gillingham have a date in mind for the opening of their much-anticipated fanzone.

The demolition work was completed before the end of the year at the back of the Medway Stand to make way for the new facility at Priestfield Stadium.

Gillingham Football Club put plans in over a year ago for a 900-capacity area that will provide additional facilities for supporters on matchdays and an entertainment space for other events.

The club plans to have the new area ready for the start of next season, but hopes are that they can open earlier, in time for the World Cup this summer.

England’s group-stage games begin on Wednesday, June 17, when they play Croatia, before facing Ghana the following Tuesday, both kicking off at 9pm. They meet Panama on Saturday, June 27 with a 10pm kick-off.

Licensing hours for screening matches outdoors would be subject to agreement with Medway Council as original proposals at the planning stage were for between 8pm and 10pm.

The fanzone will include entertainment/food and beverage kiosks, seating area, toilet facilities and parking.

“We're hoping (to have it open) for the summer,” said the club’s managing director Joe Comper.

“We're trying to get it open for the World Cup if we can.

“I would expect by next season it will be up and functioning. That's as we planned.

“We're working with GPS, they're our contractor, so the demolition was done really quickly, in a clean way.

“They've been great and they're now going to be the contractor for the build.

“We think we're on track and we're excited about that, it's going to be a cool space.”

The fanzone, constructed from shipping containers, comes as part of the club’s ongoing efforts to improve facilities for supporters, specifically for those in the Rainham