Max Ehmer

{{short description|German footballer|bot=PearBOT 5}}

{{EngvarB|date=June 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Max Ehmer

| image = MaxEhmer.jpg

| caption = Ehmer in 2023

| full_name = Maximilian Andreas Ehmer{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Bristol Rovers |publisher=English Football League |page=14 |access-date=19 September 2020}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|2|3|df=y}}

| birth_place = Frankfurt, Germany

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}{{Cite news | title = Max Ehmer – ESPN | url = http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/150831/max-ehmer?cc=5739# | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | access-date = 27 March 2013}}

| position = Defender

| currentclub = Gillingham

| clubnumber = 5

| youthyears1 = 2003–2009 | youthclubs1 = Queens Park Rangers

| years1 = 2009–2015 | clubs1 = Queens Park Rangers | caps1 = 1 | goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2011 | clubs2 = → Yeovil Town (loan) | caps2 = 27 | goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2011–2012 | clubs3 = → Yeovil Town (loan) | caps3 = 24 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2012 | clubs4 = → Preston North End (loan) | caps4 = 9 | goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2013 | clubs5 = → Stevenage (loan) | caps5 = 6 | goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2013–2014 | clubs6 = → Carlisle United (loan) | caps6 = 9 | goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2014–2015 | clubs7 = → Gillingham (loan) | caps7 = 27 | goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2015–2020 | clubs8 = Gillingham | caps8 = 192 | goals8 = 11

| years9 = 2020–2021 | clubs9 = Bristol Rovers | caps9 = 28 | goals9 = 1

| years10= 2021– | clubs10= Gillingham | caps10= 164 | goals10= 1

| club-update = 13:29, 22 August 2024 (UTC)

}}

Maximilian Andreas Ehmer (born 3 February 1992) is a German professional footballer who plays as a defender for {{English football updater|Gillingh}} club Gillingham.

A product of Queens Park Rangers' youth academy, Ehmer signed his first professional contract at the age of 17 in 2009. Two years later, in January 2011, he joined League One team Yeovil Town on loan on a deal that would ultimately run for the remainder of the 2010–11 season. He returned to Yeovil on a six-month loan deal for the following season, and ended the campaign on loan at another League One club in the form of Preston North End. In August 2012, Ehmer signed a new three-year deal at QPR. In March 2013, he was loaned out, this time joining Stevenage on loan until the end of the 2012–13 season.

On 28 September 2013, Ehmer made his QPR debut after four years at the club, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute for the injured Clint Hill, in a 2–0 league win against Middlesbrough at Loftus Road.

Career

=Queens Park Rangers=

Ehmer joined Queens Park Rangers at the age of eleven and progressed through the youth ranks, captaining his age group at various stages.{{cite news |title = QPR defender Max Ehmer signs four-year contract extension |url = http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/08/15/3309293/qpr-defender-max-ehmer-signs-four-year-contract-extension |publisher = Goal |date = 15 August 2012 |access-date = 24 August 2012}} He had previously played for Ascot United at the age of eight, as well as competing at varsity level during his time at ACS Egham School.{{cite news |title = QPR's 17 Year old Max Ehmer Profiled |url = http://qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=print&thread=4333 |publisher = Surrey Herald |date = 11 June 2009 |access-date = 2 April 2013}} During his time playing for the Warfield Predator youth side, aged eleven, he attracted the interest of QPR, who took him into their academy set-up in 2003.{{cite news |title = ACS gives students a sporting chance |url = http://www.acs-alumni.co.uk/page.cfm?p=368 |publisher = ACS |access-date = 2 April 2013}} He signed his first professional contract with the club in the summer of 2009, aged 17.

Ehmer made his league debut for QPR coming on as a substitute for Rangers captain Clint Hill in the 2–0 win over Middlesbrough on 28 September 2013.

==Loan spells==

Ehmer experienced his first taste of first-team football when he signed for League One side Yeovil Town on a month-long loan on 31 December 2010, with the deal to be officially completed the next day.{{cite news |title = Yeovil sign Paul Wotton, Max Ehmer and Richard Martin |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/yeovil/9331397.stm |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 31 December 2010 |access-date = 1 April 2013}} He made his debut against Plymouth Argyle on 1 January 2011, playing the whole match in a 0–0 draw at Home Park.{{cite news |title = Plymouth 0–0 Yeovil |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9310206.stm |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 1 January 2011 |access-date = 1 April 2013}} After impressing in the first two weeks of the loan spell, with Yeovil having secured two victories and one draw without conceding a goal,{{Soccerbase season|55839|2010|name=Max Ehmer|access-date=1 April 2013}} it was announced that Ehmer would remain at the club for the remainder of the 2010–11 season.{{cite news |title = Norwich City striker Oli Johnson joins Yeovil on loan |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/yeovil/9361585.stm |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 14 January 2011 |access-date = 1 April 2013}} He went on to make 27 appearances during the second half of the campaign, with a good end of season run ensuring Yeovil finished in a comfortable mid-table position.{{cite news |title = English League One 2010–2011 : Table |url = http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-one/2010-2011 |publisher = Statto.com |access-date = 2 April 2013 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130404051345/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-one/2010-2011 |archive-date = 4 April 2013

}} The final game of his loan spell was a 2–0 away victory at Carlisle United on 7 May 2011, in which Ehmer was used a half-time substitute.{{cite news |title = Carlisle 0–2 Yeovil |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13247152 |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 7 May 2011 |access-date = 2 April 2013}}

He returned to QPR following the end of his loan agreement, and subsequently signed a new one-year contract extension with the club in June 2011, keeping him contracted to the club until 2013.{{cite news |title = Warnock lets eight leave QPR but extends Max Ehmer deal |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/9502227.stm |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 1 June 2011 |access-date = 2 April 2013}} QPR manager Neil Warnock stated – "Max has made great progress over the last few months. He had a very productive spell at Yeovil and the feedback we received was very promising. The experience he gained there will stand him in good stead to really push on over the next 12 months or so". Shortly before the start of the 2011–12 campaign, on 21 July 2011, Ehmer returned to Yeovil on loan, this time on a six-month deal.{{cite news |title = Yeovil Town and QPR agree Max Ehmer loan move |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14238028 |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 21 July 2011 |access-date = 2 April 2013}} He played in the club's first game of the new season, playing the first 56 minutes in a 2–0 away loss to Brentford.{{cite news |title = Brentford 2–0 Yeovil |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14352001 |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 6 August 2011 |access-date = 2 April 2013}} Ehmer scored his first professional goal in a Football League Trophy tie against Bournemouth on 5 October 2011, netting a late consolation strike from close range in a match Yeovil lost 3–2 at Dean Court.{{cite news |title = Bournemouth 3–2 Yeovil |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/mobile/bbc_sport/football/matches/2011/10/04/3452079/commentary/index.shtml |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 5 October 2011 |access-date = 2 April 2013}} In December the same year, his loan deal was extended until the end of the season.{{cite news |title = Yeovil Town keep QPR defender Max Ehmer on loan |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16220264.stm |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 5 October 2011 |access-date = 16 December 2011}} However, having made 28 appearances in all competitions during his second loan spell,{{Soccerbase season|55839|2011|name=Max Ehmer|access-date=2 April 2013}} Ehmer returned to QPR on 19 January 2012, with his loan deal being terminated by mutual consent following a change in management at both Yeovil and his parent club.{{cite news |title = Yeovil sign Chelsea's Sam Walker as Gilmartin and Ehmer leave |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16627639.stm |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 19 January 2012 |access-date = 2 April 2013}}

After a brief spell back at QPR, without making any first-team appearances, Ehmer was loaned out, this time joining League One side Preston North End on 16 March 2012, on loan until 5 May.{{cite news |title = Preston bring in Queens Park Rangers defender Max Ehmer |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17397248 |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 16 March 2012 |access-date = 2 April 2013}} He made his debut in the Preston's 2–1 away victory at Exeter City a day after joining the club, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute.{{cite news |title = Exeter 1–2 Preston |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17324053 |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 17 March 2012 |access-date = 2 April 2013}} Ehmer went on to make nine appearances during his time at the club, before returning to QPR at the end of the 2011–12 season.{{cite news |title = Graham Westley wields the axe at Preston North End |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18024194 |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 10 May 2012 |access-date = 2 April 2013}} In August 2012, Ehmer signed a new three-year contract at QPR, keeping him at the club until 2016.{{cite news |title = QPR duo agree new deals |url = http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-qpr/2012/08/15/qpr-duo-agree-new-deals-82029-31630288/ |publisher = Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle |date = 15 August 2012 |access-date = 2 April 2013}} In March 2013, Ehmer joined League One side Stevenage on loan for the remainder of the 2012–13 season.{{cite news |title = Ehmer in on loan |url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/transfer-max-ehmer-loan-738370.aspx |publisher = Stevenage F.C. |date = 28 March 2013 |access-date = 28 March 2013}} He made his debut for the club a day after signing, on 29 March, playing the whole in a 1–1 draw away to Crawley Town.{{cite news |title = Crawley 1–1 Stevenage |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21892106 |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 29 March 2013 |access-date = 29 March 2013}} In the club's next match just three days later, Ehmer scored the only goal of the game as Stevenage secured a 1–0 home win over Hartlepool United.{{cite news |title = Stevenage 1–0 Hartlepool |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21921359 |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 1 April 2013 |access-date = 1 April 2013}} Playing at left back, he scored with a first-time finish after Filipe Morais' initial shot had been blocked, scoring with just fifteen minutes remaining. Ehmer made six appearances during the brief loan spell, scoring once, as he returned to his parent club following Stevenage's final game of the season.{{Soccerbase season|55839|2012|name=Max Ehmer|access-date=28 April 2013}}{{cite news |title = Loan players return to parent clubs |url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/loan-players-return-to-parent-clubs-803021.aspx |publisher = Stevenage F.C. |date = 1 May 2013 |access-date = 3 May 2013}}

On 4 November 2013, Ehmer joined League One side Carlisle United on loan for a month up to and including 1 December 2013.{{Cite web |title=Defender joins for a month |url=http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/article/ehmersigns4nov13-1154415.aspx |work=carlisleunited.co.uk |date=4 November 2013}} On 3 December 2013, two days after his original loan expired it was announced that Carlisle had extended Ehmer's loan at the club until 2 January 2014.{{cite news |title = LOAN: Defender stay extended |url = http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/article/ehmerloanextended3dec13-1212368.aspx |publisher = Carlisle United Official Website |access-date = 4 December 2013}} In November of the same year he was loaned out, this time to League One side Gillingham.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30212085|title=Max Ehmer: Gillingham sign QPR defender on loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 November 2014|access-date=26 November 2014}}

=Gillingham=

On 2 July 2015, Ehmer joined League One side Gillingham on a three-year deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33353946 |title=Max Ehmer: Gillingham sign QPR centre-back |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 July 2015 |access-date=8 March 2020 }}

In January 2017 he was named as Gillingham's captain, with the recently appointed head coach Adrian Pennock commenting that "I like his attitude and I like the centre-half to be the captain".{{Cite news|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/no-fuss-over-new-skipper-118956/|title=Gillingham head coach Ady Pennock plays down decision to change skipper as Max Ehmer replaces Josh Wright|newspaper=Kent Online|access-date=2017-02-25|language=en-GB}} He would later lose the captaincy to Gabriel Zakuani but regained it when he suffered an injury and was named captain permanently when Steve Evans became Gillingham manager before the 2019–20 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/gillinghams-new-skipper-209552/|title=Gillingham name Max Ehmer as the new captain under manager Steve Evans|date=2019-07-31|website=Kent Online|language=en|access-date=2020-01-01}}

In March 2018 he agreed a contract extension until the end of the 2019–20 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/ehmer-gillingham-new-contract-161637/|title=Gillingham defender Max Ehmer signs new two-year deal with the club|date=2018-03-16|website=Kent Online|language=en|access-date=2020-01-01}}

Ehmer made his 200th appearance for the club in a 1–0 victory over Oxford United on 9 March 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/praise-for-200-up-ehmer-200437/|title=Gillingham boss Steve Lovell salutes defender Max Ehmer's character on his 200th appearance for the club|date=2019-03-11|website=Kent Online|language=en|access-date=2020-01-01}}

=Bristol Rovers=

On 21 July 2020, Ehmer signed a two-year contract with Bristol Rovers following the expiration of his Gillingham contract.{{cite web|url= https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/max-ehmer-signs/|title= Max Ehmer Completes Move to the Gas!|website=bristolrovers.co.uk|date=21 July 2020|access-date=21 July 2020}} Ehmer was announced as Rovers captain on 4 September 2020{{cite web|url= https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/september/club-captain-announcement/|title= Max Ehmer Named as Rovers Captain!|website=bristolrovers.co.uk|date=4 September 2020|access-date=6 September 2020}} and made his debut the following day in a 3–0 EFL Cup defeat to Ipswich Town.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53955732|title=Ipswich Town 3–0 Bristol Rovers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 September 2020|access-date=6 September 2020}} He scored his first goal of the season in the FA Cup third round 3–2 defeat to Premier League side Sheffield United.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55574439|title=Bristol Rovers 2–3 Sheffield United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 January 2021|accessdate=25 March 2021}}

When Rovers' third manager of the season Joey Barton came in, Ehmer was stripped of his captaincy which was given to Luke Leahy. On 22 March 2021, Ehmer was publicly slated by his manager who claimed that Ehmer was the wrong choice for captain and would have a lot of work to do to force his way back into the side.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/joey-barton-believes-max-ehmer-5213143|title=Joey Barton believes Max Ehmer was the wrong choice to be Bristol Rovers captain|website=bristolpost.co.uk|date=22 March 2021|accessdate=25 March 2021}} Following this, Barton announced that Ehmer would have to have surgery on his shoulder injury that would see him miss the remainder of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56539536|title=Bristol Rovers: Max Ehmer and Sam Nicholson's seasons over due to surgery|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 March 2021|accessdate=28 March 2021}} On 15 June 2021, Ehmer's contract with the club was terminated.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2021/june/max-ehmer-departs-bristol-rovers/|title=Max Ehmer Departs the Club|website=bristolrovers.co.uk|date=15 June 2021}}

=Gillingham return=

Having had his contract in Bristol terminated, Ehmer returned to Gillingham that same day on a two-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2021/june/ehmer-returns-to-priestfield/|title=Max Ehmer is coming home!|website=gillinghamfootballclub.com|date=15 June 2021}}{{Cite web |title=Max Ehmer signs new contract |url=https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2023/april/ehmer-signs-new-deal/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=www.gillinghamfootballclub.com |language=en-gb}}

On 14 May 2023, Gillingham confirmed that Ehmer had signed a new contract with the Kent side, but did not disclose the length of the deal. On 27 April 2024, Ehmer made his 400th appearance for the club in a 2–2 draw with Doncaster Rovers.{{cite web|url=https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2024/april/ehmer--i-am-desperate-for-success-at-this-club|title=Ehmer I am desperate for success at this club|website=www.gillinghamfootballclub.com|date=29 April 2024}}

Personal life

Ehmer was born in Frankfurt.{{cite news

| title = Max Ehmer – Soccerbase

| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=55839

| publisher = Soccerbase

| access-date = 2 April 2013}}

Career statistics

{{updated|match played 26 March 2025}}

class=wikitable style="text-align: center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan=2|Club

!rowspan=2|Season

!colspan=3|League

!colspan=2|FA Cup

!colspan=2|League Cup

!colspan=2|Other

!colspan=2|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan=6|Queens Park Rangers

|2009–10{{Soccerbase season|55839|2009|name=Max Ehmer|access-date=22 January 2013}}

| Championship

|0

00000colspan=2|—00
2010–11

|Championship

|0

00000colspan=2|—00
2011–12

|Premier League

|0

00000colspan=2|—00
2012–13

|Premier League

|0

00000colspan=2|—00
2013–14{{Soccerbase season|55839|2013|name=Max Ehmer|access-date=7 July 2017}}

|Championship

|1

00000colspan=2|—10
colspan=2|Total

!1||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||1||0

rowspan=3|Yeovil Town (loan)

|2010–11

|League One

|27

0000000270
2011–12

|League One

|24

030001{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in the Football League Trophy}}1281
colspan=2|Total

!51||0||3||0||0||0||1||1||55||1

Preston North End (loan)

|2011–12

|League One

|9

0colspan=2|—colspan=2|—colspan=2|—90
Stevenage (loan)

|2012–13

|League One

|6

100000061
Carlisle United (loan)

|2013–14

|League One

|12

110001{{efn|name=FLT}}0141
Gillingham (loan)

|2014–15{{Soccerbase season|55839|2014|name=Max Ehmer|access-date=7 July 2017}}

|League One

|27

100002{{efn|name=FLT}}0291
rowspan=6|Gillingham

|2015–16{{Soccerbase season|55839|2015|access-date=7 July 2017}}

|League One

|30

010101{{efn|name=FLT}}1331
2016–17{{Soccerbase season|55839|2016|name=Max Ehmer|access-date=7 July 2017}}

|League One

|45

720302{{efn|name=EFT|Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy}}0527
2017–18{{soccerbase season|55839|2017|access-date=7 March 2020}}

|League One

|42

230104{{efn|name=EFT}}1503
2018–19{{soccerbase season|55839|2018|access-date=7 March 2020}}

|League One

|40

141101{{efn|name=EFT}}0462
2019–20{{soccerbase season|55839|2019|access-date=7 March 2020}}

|League One

|35

1401000401
colspan=2|Total

!192||11||14||1||7||0||8||2||221||14

Bristol Rovers

|2020–21{{soccerbase season|55839|2020|access-date=6 September 2020}}

|League One

|28

131101{{efn|name=EFT}}0332
rowspan=5|Gillingham

|2021–22{{Soccerbase season|55839|2021|access-date=7 September 2021}}

|League One

|45

020202{{efn|name=EFT}}0510
2022–23{{soccerbase season|55839|2022|access-date=5 January 2023}}

|League Two

|45

151301{{efn|name=EFT}}0542
2023–24{{soccerbase season|55839|2023|access-date=13 January 2024}}

|League Two

|39

020202{{efn|name=EFT}}0450
2024–25{{soccerbase season|55839|2024|access-date=22 August 2024}}

|League Two

|35

0101020390
colspan=2|Total

!164||1||10||1||8||0||7||0||189||2

colspan=3|Career total

!490||16||31||3||16||0||20||3||557||22

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist}}