Mayor wants Millwall FC to stay in Lewisham

Millwall FC. Pic: toastbrot81

London Mayor Sadiq Khan “wholeheartedly supports” Millwall’s stadium staying in Lewisham, according to his spokesperson.

Sadiq Khan has repeatedly faced calls from both Millwall supporters and local Conservative councillors to intervene in the compulsory purchase order issue. However Khan’s spokesperson told East London Lines that the Mayor has “no powers to intervene”. He added: “The Mayor is committed to building more new and genuinely affordable homes in the borough, through his New Bermondsey housing zone.”

Lewisham Council have issued fresh reassurance that they want the club to stay. A council spokesman said: “Lewisham Council is very supportive of Millwall Football Club and has consistently said that its ability to operate the stadium must and will be protected.” However the club is concerned that they will have to move their academy, which will affect their talent development programmes.

Millwall Football Club has been based in the Lewisham borough since 1910 and Millwall Chief Executive Steve Kavanagh said that this compulsory purchase order means the club is “left in a position where we have to think the unthinkable.”

Khan’s comments come after the council meeting has been delayed yet again.

The Lewisham-based football club warned earlier that they may have to relocate if the land around the stadium is sold off.

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