AN EFL stadium is packed to the Gills with trinkets from the Millennium Dome.
Priestfield Stadium has been home to Gillingham since the club’s formation in 1893.
Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium has been furnished with leftovers from the Millennium Dome[/caption]
Former chairman Paul Scally grabbed a host of bargains when the Dome closed over two decades ago[/caption]
The site in Greenwich was developed after the Dome closed as an attraction[/caption]
Former Gills chairman Paul Scally grabbed a selection of bargains after the infamous London project was phased out in 2001.
The government auctioned off thousands of items following the Dome’s demise.
Scally – who bought Gillingham for £1 in 1995 – spotted an opportunity.
And the 69-year-old got carried away with his bidding at the auction 23 years ago.
Scally estimates the club received up to £7million worth of equipment after shelling out just £750,000.
The purchases helped Gillingham refurbish a new Priestfields stand at a knock-down price.
While the club megastore boasted £250,000 of fittings bought for just £5,000.
Scally explained to Sky Sports: “It was a case of being in the right place at the right time.
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“I’ve bought tea trolleys, ovens, fire extinguishers, 300 sets of bone china, glasses and all sorts on top of the bigger stuff.
“This has allowed us to move the club forward quicker than I had envisaged. We just kept going back to the site for more gear.
“I bought a seven-and-a-half ton lorry to transport everything and we must have made 100 trips to Greenwich.
“I’ve had to borrow a 10,000 sq ft warehouse off a mate because there isn’t enough room at the ground for everything.”
Scally also managed to get his hands on a new indoor training centre.
Valued at £1.5million, the Gills chairman converted an 80m x 40m play area from the Dome for just £70,000.
Scally gained control of the club in 1995 for a nominal fee of £1, but also took on its £1.5m debt.
He sold his controlling stake to US property magnate Brad Galinson in December 2022, while continuing as a non-executive director.
Scally was voted off the club’s board last year.
Gillingham are currently in League Two, having bounced around the third and four tiers for the past two decades.
They spent five seasons in the Championship from 2000, but have not returned since relegation in 2005.
