Gillingham captain Max Ehmer is relishing the chance to get the better of his old manager in another top-versus-second encounter.
Former Gills manager Stephen Clemence brings his table-topping Barrow side to Priestfield this Saturday.
Clemence’s side have a near identical record to the Gills from their first seven games in League 2, the former Priestfield boss making a terrific start to his tenure in the northwest.
Bonner’s men are just one goal worse off than the weekend visitors to set up a great spectacle.
Ehmer, who captained the Gills on the pitch during Clemence’s time in charge and was a mainstay in the side, said: “I want to beat him, for sure, obviously Stephen Clemence was a great guy but at the end of the day, it’s our job.
“He’ll set out his team how he wants and we’ll just try to beat them.
“They’re obviously doing well, so it will be a tough game against a tough opponent.
“We won’t hype it up in terms of first versus second, none of that. I think that (people on the) outside will do that. We’ll just do our job and we’ll make it a good game.”
Ehmer’s final game under Bonner was his 400th for Gillingham, at the end of last season, and his old boss saluted the defender at the time, saying: “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.”
There’s respect off the pitch but both men will be determined to come out on top at the weekend.
League 2 table ahead of the weekend
It’s the second weekend in succession that the Gills have taken on the leaders.
The Gills knocked Notts County off their perch last weekend with a 1-0 win at Meadow Lane and will hope to repeat that feat this Saturday at Priestfield.
Ehmer said: “It feels like every game we play at the moment, whether that’s Tranmere, who hadn’t lost at the time, Doncaster who were near the top at the time. Every game’s big, but obviously the league table hasn’t properly sorted itself out.”
Barrow boss Clemence was sacked by the Gills at the end of last season after less than six months in charge. The Priestfield board chose a new man to lead them this term, in Mark Bonner.
Both managers have enjoyed a great start to the new campaign with their respective clubs.
Gillingham have won three out of three at home and won’t be short of confidence as they look to maintain their 100% start at Priestfield .
They were the first team this season to inflict a defeat on Notts County, last weekend, picking up their fifth clean sheet in the process – against the division’s top scorers.
“It was a massive result for us – a statement result for sure,” said Ehmer.
“You don’t get more points winning these games but people are going to look at that result and be like, ‘Gillingham kept a clean sheet and they’ve won the game’ so, yeah, it’s massive.”
Ehmer’s been at the Gills for some time – first joining in November 2014, with a season away at Bristol Rovers. Bonner’s his ninth permanent manager he’s played under at the club and is enjoying life under his current boss – maintaining the captaincy and a constant role in the team.
Describing how life’s like under Bonner, he said: “From day one, he’s been clear about what he wants from us.
“The atmosphere in the dressing room is excellent. All of the boys get on. It can be a little carnage with the banter and stuff like that but it’s a real tight-knit group.
“Once we’re on the grass working, it’s work time. There’s no messing around then.
“The gaffer has been excellent from day one. We’re working hard. We’re doing the right things and that’s reflected in where we are in the league right now.”
