Gillingham Football Club say they are modernising their approach to sponsorship after ending a long-running association with local power generation company MEMS.

Gillingham-based company MEMS have been main sponsors since April 2011, a deal that included shirt and stadium naming rights. The company are owned by lifelong fan Colin Jarvis who said that it was “with great sadness and disappointment that our long-standing main sponsorship agreement with GFC will come to a close at the end of this season.”

The Gills have confirmed the 12-year affiliation with MEMS will be ending at the end of this season and in statement the club said: “MEMS, and in particular its chairman, Colin Jarvis, have been great supporters of the club for many years and the club is immensely grateful for their support over such a sustained period of time.”

Gillingham's head of commercial, Joe Comper added: “It is important that as a club we modernise our approach to commercial partnerships, and we’ve come to the conclusion that increasing the number of partners the club has is key to achieving this."

"Whilst we had hoped MEMS would form a part of this new structure, it did not prove possible."

"In recent history, we’ve relied heavily on one business occupying the majority of our sponsorship inventory. We are now changing this approach and believe this is the best way to move the club forward."

The Gills are under new ownership following a takeover from US businessman Brad Galinson.

Mr Jarvis, who is also owner of Avenue Tennis in Gillingham, added: “After 30 enjoyable years as a corporate box holder and main club sponsor since 2011, we wish the club every success in the future.

“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 I was a young boy.”

MEMS also expressed gratitude towards Gillingham Football Club fans for their collaboration over the past twelve years, saying: “The company’s staff, customers, and partners have thoroughly enjoyed the journey with the club, and the MEMS team will continue to support them as dedicated followers.”

The company headquarters is in Beechings Way, close to Priestfield. MEMS was founded in 1978 in Gillingham and are celebrating 45 successful years of trading this year, employing over 120 staff.