The main sponsor of Gillingham FC has announced it is ending its deal with the club after seven years.

Power generator business MEMS first signed a contract with the club in April 2011 and its home ground has been known as the MEMS Priestfield Stadium ever since.

Its latest four-year deal with the team was worth more than £500,000.

MEMS chairman Colin Jarvis, a lifelong Gills fan, said the decision was prompted by "a restructuring and realignment" of his company's marketing strategy.

He said: “Since 2011, MEMS have been extremely proud to be the main sponsor and have enjoyed being part of such a loyal football community.

"It has been an honour to support my local club which I have been following since a young boy.

"I wish the team and staff all the best for the future, and I will, of course, continue to watch them as often as I can."

Gillingham is still looking for a replacement main sponsor to take over once the MEMS deal finishes at the end of the season.

Chairman Paul Scally had planned to announce the end of the contract in his programme notes for the match against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday but the match was postponed due to snow.

His statement, due to be published in full for the rearranged game on April 10, was due to say that MEMS "have advised me that their budget has been allocated elsewhere for the future and that they will not be continuing with the sponsorship of the club going forward".

It continues: "I would like to place on record our thanks to Colin Jarvis and all the staff at MEMS for their support over the period of their sponsorship.

"I am confident that the profile MEMS have enjoyed as a result of their sponsorship has assisted them in their growth and I wish them every success in the future.

"As a result of this we are looking for a new main sponsor and are contacting companies in Kent, and further afield."

The end of the lucrative sponsorship comes two months after the club's former vice chairman Michael Anderson said he would be seeking £900,000 from the business.

He filed papers with the High Court, claiming he is owed repayment for loans and interest.

The 64-year-old left his role at Priestfield in September following news he had been charged with fraud offences in Florida.