The chairman of Gillingham FC has launched a scathing attack on a Labour councillor following criticism of the club's new sponsorship deal with Medway Council.

The Gills announced last week that the council would become the team's new sponsors, with the council logo to appear on team shirts and the Priestfield Stadium re-named as the Medway Priestfield Stadium.

The move was slammed by Cllr Vince Maple, the leader of the Medway Labour group, as "completely inappropriate in this time of huge cuts in local government funding."

Cllr Maple added: "When the Conservative-run Medway Council are closing Sure Start children’s centres, imposing huge parking charge rises on residents and closing local leisure facilities, people have to ask themselves the question - have the Medway Tories got the right priorities?

"In my view the answer is absolutely not."

The criticism has sparked fury from Mr Scally, who believes the deal with the council should not be turned into a political football.

While the Gills previous shirt sponsorship deal was said to be worth £500,000 over four years, the club has since said no money would change hands with the new deal - a deal which would give the Gills more use of council-owned pitches, and promote the brand of both club and council.

In a public letter to Cllr Maple, Mr Scally said "you had no idea of details of the deal when you made these comments, nor what responsibilities the club will be undertaking in coaching local children on council pitches etc.

"In actual fact, and in my view, this sponsorship would only be challenged by those with little vision given the manner in which it will raise the profile of Medway for the benefit of all."

He stated the club continue to pay full fees for the use of Beechings Cross pitches, and was set to invest its own money and improve community coaching projects at the site, and added:

"Had you the decency to wait for official comment and/or detail of the deal, or indeed contacted me for a discussion... you would realised that far from having any form of negative impact on Medway tax-payers, this is a superb opportunity for everyone that lives, works or indeed is educated in Medway in that this high profile sponsorship will greatly lift awareness of Medway nationally and internationally.

"Mr Maple, I am not a politician, nor do I much care which party is in power and control of local matters, I am only interested in developing Gillingham FC and seeing Medway prosper and grow. I do not appreciate being used as fodder for your own political ambitions or gain."

Cllr Maple said he would be responding to issues raised in Mr Scally's letter in due course, but said the Labour group remained opposed to the deal.

"Our position remains the same," he said. "Alan Jarrett has spoken to say some tax payer's money is being spent in the deal.. It's a rapidly changing set of circumstances - from no burden, to some money being spent."

But Medway Council leader Alan Jarrett has since confirmed no money will be spent on the deal. While he had publically stated the council may have to pay £200-£300 for advertising hoardings at the ground, the club had since confirmed they would pay for them.

"I was wrong," he added. "It's not often I am, but I was wrong."

The full letter from Mr Scally to Cllr Maple can be viewed on the Gills' website.