GILLINGHAM are being made to wait by SeaFrance over whether or not they will continue their six-figure sponsorship next season.

The French ferry company are furious after being deluged with malicious e-mails from supporters blaming the company for the club’s decision to change their home strip from traditional blue to white.

The decision to change after 80 years was made by club chairman Paul Scally in consultation with player-manager Andy Hessenthaler. Mr Scally has threatened to quit should SeaFrance withdraw.

SeaFrance officials said it was still undecided whether they would be Gillingham’s sponsors next season and that no final decision had been made, though an announcement is expected by next Tuesday at the latest.

Managing director Robin Wilkins and sales director Bill Laidlaw were unable to meet this week to consider their position.

The cross-Channel operator has already pumped more than £200,000 into the shirt sponsorship deal - the biggest in club history - over the past two years.

Since SeaFrance threatened to pull out, the company has received some complimentary e-mails claiming that the critics were a “small minority.”

Mr Laidlaw this week denounced the so-called “fans” who had sent hate e-mails or criticised the company on the Internet.

“Quite frankly, I really am amazed at the standard of intelligence of some people, it really is pretty poor,” he said.

He added: “I've been in France and Robin’s been away and we really haven’t got together but we will do in the next couple of days. We should have a decision by Monday or Tuesday at the latest.”

He was clear in his own mind what he would be recommending to Mr Wilkins, but was not prepared to reveal at this stage what it was. “It’s still touch and go,” was all Mr Laidlaw would say.

Praising Mr Scally’s achievements, he said: “I have no problem with the guy but I know people either like him or dislike him. At the end of the day, people should remember what he’s done for that club. I don't think they would have had a club without him.”

Mr Scally is likely to settle the kit issue by deciding which of the white or blue and black strips on sale in the club shop sells the best.

And this week Gillingham were warned to make up their mind about next season’s first team strip by the Nationwide League. The League need the information next month to insert in their new handbook.

And in another twist to the sending of abusive e-mails to SeaFrance over the controversy, it has emerged that many could have come from supporters of local rivals Millwall.

Unofficial Millwall website House of Fun set up a campaign to get fans e-mailing SeaFrance claiming to be irate Gills fans.