Well @alwaysright finally got what he always wanted in the confirmation that Max Ehmer will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Max leaves with a total of 439 appearances for the club across an eleven year association which is nothing short of an incredible achievement in the modern era. Sadly often scapegoated by some, Max was always a solid and consistent defender for us in some of the club's most difficult times. The fact he suffered very few injuries in his time and even played through dislocating a shoulder showed his commitment to the cause and the club. Max will be paraded at 14:45 tomorrow ahead of kick-off to be allowed a final goodbye to the Gills fans. I'll be in attendance (albeit in the Medway Upper) to offer my applause of a very good servant for the club. All the best Max, thanks for being the best German to play for the club. https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/max-ehmer-say-gills-farewell
Ehmer played 439 games for the Gills and how many bad games did he have. Doubt it was double figures. No Gills player in the future will pass that record. Definitely the right time to go and hope we will see him again at Priestfield
Paul Scally's clock lost its' best-before-date a long time ago ! When Scally arrived at GFC, he brought some skill and expertise which worked well – until his clock began to lose time and eventually stopped working… Scally’s arrival was warmly welcomed. The Club needed his skills to prevent it from totally collapsing. ’ – But – I could see that Scally’s clock had its’ limitations - which, sadly, time confirmed. In the beginning, all was great. Scally’s clock kept good time – It wasn’t accurate to the last second -but it offered reasonable security and reliability of a clock that you could trust if you needed to keep an appointment…. There were several times when I have appreciated, and given credit for the services of Scally’s clock.. It did a job – for which I have paid a lot of hard-earned money ! But, in truth, the clock did ‘OK’ – It was never a Rolex ! But- over the years, Scally’s clock became too slow and couldn’t be trusted to keep up with newer, digital timepieces. I think that Scally’s clock must have suffered a bad case of Covid… During that time, and in the years since, the clock has become largely broken.. It certainly had become too slow. – GFC supporters have had to rely on other newer, younger clocks for more accurate time-keeping. But Scally’s clock seemed to retain some sentimentality among a couple of fans…. Maybe these fans are happy to wait and stare at the broken clock – just because it shows the correct time twice in 24 hours ! In the very recent times, Scally’s clock has been ‘thrown out.’ The clock had become a figure of hate among a large group of faithful onlookers of its’ dial ! The clock had stopped any attempt to tell the time – instead it mocked people who asked for the clock to work better and faster….the clock suggested that the fans should try to do his job !!..I had long since lost faith in Scally’s clock – and I certainly didn’t want it if it was now going to insult my intelligence.. The time had come for the clock to be consigned to the bin. Gills now have a new, young time-keeper. The clock is working quite well.. It still needs to be wound up – and in the next few weeks all of its’ parts will need a few adjustments – after which, Gills fans can hope to have a clock that can tell time well into the immediate future… ….. and not using a broken clock that can only perform twice in 24 hours ( or once in a blue moon. )
Was the last half entirely necessary? Couldn't you just acknowledge a player that gave his all each time he put the shirt on, regardless whether it reached your standards of expectation or not? Nobody disagrees he was far slower towards the end that at the start of his career. Even when you know he's going and will no longer be in your eyeline from the Gordon Road you still have to get one last dig in at him and those who have supported him. Why? And don't use the "Oh I never mentioned his name I was talking about a clock", because you full well know what your intentions were with the post.
Nobody said this was a popularity contest ! Thankfully this forum still has freedom of speech ! Everyone is entitled to their opinion – and I would not deny it… From my perspective, I have always qualified my viewpoint – especially if I am going to be critical… I have often expressed positivity of those who I might subsequently criticise….. for example : I have given credit to Mr. Scally for his business acumen when he ‘acquired’ The Club…I can also reluctantly admire the way he manipulated his control of GFC – for his benefit (( and- maybe most of us would have done much the same. )) – but – there are always other factors that put a different complexion on things… …. In the case of Mr. Scally (( given that I could clearly see that he was first, and foremost, totally self-centred – all at my expense )), he lost any credibility as a decent human being when he treated McCammon in a racist manner, and also labelled fans as a cancer ….. ((( I understood his frustration with McCammon – but – sanction could have been applied with more subtilty ))) …. And, as somebody who has spent many thousands of £££ in my support of GFC, I find it abhorrent that I should be described as a cancer. With regards to Ehmer - Fact – He has played a lot of games for GFC…. Fact – he got relegated with GFC… Fact – the next season he got relegated with Bristol Rovers… then he returns to GFC during a season that nearly turned out to be the Club’s worst season in its’ history ((( seriously, if the Galinson’s hadn’t arrived – not only would Gills not be in the EFL – but, probably no longer in business. ))--- what a legacy that would have been for Ehmer’s career. ….. Fact – I have given praise to Ehmer on several occasions…. Regrettably, I have given honest assessment of a critical nature on far too many occasions than I would have preferred… EVERY time I have stated my reasons……It has been universally accepted ((( even conceded by yourself )), that Ehmer has become too slow. I felt that moment had been reached a long time ago – and the retention of Ehmer in the side was (( in my honest opinion )), a bit like looking at a broken clock – waiting for it to be right only twice a day ! You, or anyone else are entitled to individual opinion on Ehmer – or any other to wear a Gills’ shirt… I am sure that you might have seen the opinion of Ehmer by many people on other social platforms – where the use of more graphic language is tolerated… One overriding factor when I give anyone respect is : Have they earned it ? In the case of Mr. Scally – he lost any respect when he compared me to cancer… Mr. Ehmer didn’t do any favours that I might have sympathy for his lack of pace when he started to argue with the Rainham End - whilst the game was being played around him.. I was staggered at such unprofessionalism – then, at the end of the game he showed his contempt for the fans when he told them ‘’ You try doing my job ‘’ - - which is all I was expecting from him ( and from anyone ) - if they then are happy to take my money – for far longer than that player should have.. In my opinion, Ehmer carried on taking my money long past when his clock ( or legs ) were’ broken’ – My moral compass tells me that such selfishness basically amounts to ‘cheating’ – and I believe that I have been very eloquent when it comes to any form of cheating. I will now invite anyone to make a case for the defence of Ehmer…. And, whilst I can accept mitigation for the rare good performances, I would ask that consideration – without sentiment, is given to the negative aspects of Ehmer’s career – and the overall impact on the results that he has achieved – and ‘suffered’ by GFC (( if not to include Bristol Rovers. ))
Can you really name more than 10 games from over 400 that he has been poor. You cannot play that many times without being half decent even in the last few seasons. The real reason we have been poor is lack of goals in the opposite goal not the defense. Classic was when Gale should of cleared ball rather than shield ball off the pitch which led to goal. Ehmer would have been slated. Is it time for Ehmer to go then yes. 6th all time Gills playing record will never happen again. Well done on his service to the club
The answer to your question is YES - far more than 10 !... I have kept a mini report on all the games during the 63 seasons I have been watching GFC... and the number to which you refer would embarrass you (( if not Mr. Ehmer )). During those years, there have been players far worse than Ehmer - and worse on numerous occasions.. I have previously mentioned these awful players - and been more 'scathing' than any criticism I have of Mr. Ehmer..... I have no desire to give you a complete rundown of Ehmer's 'dubious' performances -but - I simply cannot hand out plaudits just because somebody has played X number of games.. I stand by affirmation that I have given due praise for good performances by Mr. Ehmer - but - I would not be true to my principles of honesty & transparency if I didn't remind people of various facts --- such as Ehmer's bulging relegation cabinet and his disdain for fans whose money he was happy to take...... It's said that football is a 'funny game' - perhaps, for me, it's not all about the leather ball ! edit - for 'balance' - Gale has been guilty of several mistakes - These need serious attention in the pre-season - but - in his short career, he has shown qualities that he will become more successful than of which Ehmer could only dream.
You talk of relegation cabinet and don't give Connor Masterson show the same disdain, or Robbie McKenzie, or a previous player Jack Tucker who have also suffered relegations with our club (the latter successfully getting a well funded MK Dons relegated). Why is that? Oh yes it's because you've had an ongoing agenda against Max that has been reminded of time and again on this board. There is no denying that multiple defenders have made comments about the calmness of Max and his leading by example qualities. He's helped improve many younger defenders, including some of those in the backline. Masterson left a long post on his Instagram thanking Max for making him a better player, and there were many other existing Gills players (and former ones) who have heralded his efforts. Even Mark Bonner our former manager, now Director of Football at Cambridge United took the time to write a long post on Twitter talking about Max's attributes, and that's the only time he's taken to write anything about the club since his dismissal in January. Egan, Ogilvie, Tucker, Baggott, Masterson, Ogie & Gale have all directly improved their game thanks to playing alongside Max, that fact is undeniable. Some have improved their careers since and some haven't been able to reach the same heights due to not playing alongside him. There's a time to applaud achievements, there's a time for criticism, and there's a time to keep certain views within and not in the public realm. In this case, it was very much the former, rather than now creating the discourse on this thread.
Now I know you're extracting urine ! I find it laughable that you can quote anything Bonner might say - were you happy with his 'efforts' ?...As for improving other players - Ehmer nearly ruined Tucker..Egan 'carried' Ehmer. O'Gilvie was not a centreback- so, I am not interested in comparisons ...Gale has (( despite his mistakes )), flourished quicker without Ehmer in the side. If Masterson feels that Ehmer made him a better player, he is entitled to that thought. My agenda with ANY player may be diverse from merely how they play a game. My agenda with Ehmer may differ from the agenda I have with others in the side ...My agenda does not allow me to extend any more gratitude for Ehmer's efforts - other than I have expressed in the past.... As I mentioned - we both have the right to free speech....I may not agree with all that you say (( and vice versa )) - but I will not retract my statements...As for any discourse - I thought debate was one of the objectives of these forums !....I have always encouraged discourse / discussion - even contrary opinions...It rarely prevents me from including my facts.... which you have acknowledged has been attested on numerous occasions....and, as you ( finally ) agree that Ehmer's time was 'up', I will now discontinue with this discourse - Good night.
