GILLINGHAM FC chairman Paul Scally faces an unprecedented revolt from supporters furious over the decision to switch the club’s traditional blue home strip in favour of white.

Fans are planning a protest to co-incide with Thursday’s Nationwide League annual meeting at Priestfield.

And as the row rumbled on, the Gills Independent Supporters’ Club (GISC) accused Mr Scally of riding “roughshod” over the feelings of fans and urged them to boycott the white in favour of purchasing the second strip blue and black hooped shirt.

In a statement, Mike Keskeys, vice-chairman of the GISC, said: “Paul Scally has, in changing the club colours of the 2003-04 first- team strip, run roughshod over the views and feelings of all true Gillingham supporters and consigned over 90 years of history to the dustbin.

“We understand that fans will wish to support their team and we do not wish to harm the club financially. So the GISC urge all fans to boycott the white strip.

“Instead, we would encourage fans to purchase the blue and black hooped second strip. We also urge all supporters to write to Paul Scally and the managing director of SeaFrance personally, expressing their total opposition to this arbitrary decision, which was taken without consulting the paying and loyal fans of Gillingham Football Club.”

Mr Scally retorted by condemning those fans who have called for a boycott of SeaFrance’s services. In a statement on the club’s official website, he said: “Fans have a right to express an opinion on the new shirt, and obviously can decide for themselves whether to buy it or not.

“But it is totally irresponsible for anyone to try to affect the business of the best sponsor this club has ever had.

“Gillingham Football Club and SeaFrance have built up a tremendous relationship over the last two years or so, and it is in everyone’s interest for that to continue - and that includes the fans.

“I have been appalled and disgusted by those fans who would take part in such a campaign to discourage others from using the cross Channel ferry operator.”

One group of fans will hold a peaceful demonstration outside the club on Thursday (June 5) at 11am near the car park gates in Redfearn Avenue to protest at the passing of the traditional blue strip which has been the club’s first choice since 1930.

The organisers stress that it is not an anti-Scally demonstration and that derogatory banners or notices will be removed immediately. One of the organisers said: “We want to make it a blue day with blue balloons flags and banners in evidence.”