Millwall have warned they could be forced to leave south London and relocate to Kent if land around The Den is sold to property developers.
The Lions fear they may have to move from what has been their home since 1910 should Lewisham Council go through with plans to sell the land to developers Renewal.
The council is expected to confirm those plans at a council meeting next Wednesday and, for the first time, Millwall have conceded that they may be forced to move.
Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh told the Guardian: “The chairman has always been determined that this would never happen, but under such circumstances any and every option would have to be considered to secure the football club and the Millwall Community Trust’s future as viable concerns.”
Millwall, who replaced their old ground with a new stadium on the same site in 1993, say their youth academy and the Millwall Community Trust would close if Lewisham Council goes ahead with its plans.
The decision to force the League One club to sell pockets of land around their stadium was adjourned last month until January 11.
But Millwall feel the issues surrounding the plans have still not been properly addressed by the council.
Lewisham councillor Alan Hall has warned losing Millwall would be a blow for the borough.
“Millwall are part of the cultural history of London and Lewisham with over 100 years in the borough,” he said.
“[Renewal’s plans] will drive away one of football’s most famous clubs and it’s highly successful community scheme providing opportunities for Lewisham’s young people.”
