Gillingham defender Max Ehmer is set to reach an impressive milestone on Saturday.
The 32-year-old will make his 400th appearance for the club – assuming he’s picked to play against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
Ehmer has been a mainstay in the Gills team under numerous managers, including current head coach Stephe Clemence, who led the tributes to his matchday skipper.
“What a servant!” said the Gills boss. “You don’t often get that number anymore, do you? Players move around clubs a lot more.
“I know Max left and came back (after a season with Bristol Rovers in 2020/21) but he has been fantastic for me since I have been here.
“He is a great man and he has been a very good player for me too. He has been good for the young centre-halves by the side of him and it hurts him when he is beaten. He is definitely an out-and-out winner.
“He wants to be successful at this club and the club means a lot to him.
“He is very well respected in the dressing room and the sort of guy you want in there. I have really been pleased with him and happy to work with him and what an achievement. Well done to him, it’s amazing if he gets his 400th appearance!”
Clemence was happy for him to captain his side in the absence of Shaun Williams, who was made club skipper last summer under former boss Neil Harris.
The Gills boss said: “When I first arrived Shad (Ogie) and Conor (Masterson) were playing and I stuck with that but Max came into the team and has never come back out.
“Shaun Williams was the captain of the club, and still is, but he hasn’t played a lot so Max took on the role as captain of the team with Shaun not playing. He has done it really well.
“He is respected and you get respect by how you play on the pitch. People say it is how you talk to people and help people, and of course that is part of being a skipper, but generally you get your respect by how you play and that is the best way to lead.
“I think the lads, especially some of the younger players in the team, look at him and know he does his job properly.
“He is very professional, prepares properly and he is a good guy to be around. He has a lot of good ingredients to be a captain and he has done it very well since he has come back into the side for me.”
Ehmer first joined the Gills on loan from QPR in November 2014 for the second half of that season. He returned on a permanent deal in the summer of 2015 and stayed before leaving for Bristol Rovers in 2020. A tough season there ended in relegation and he returned back to Priestfield after just one season away.
