Dave Mehmet, Gillingham’s former captain and beloved non-league coach, has died at the age of 63.
Mehmet was the Gills’ leading scorer in the 1983/84 season, with 17 goals, and he played 132 appearances for the team from 1983 to 1986.
He later played for various non-league clubs, including Maidstone United and Erith & Belvedere.
Mehmet played and subsequently coached at Stansfeld, and his former club confirmed his death today (Tuesday), writing of their “profound sadness” at the departure of their former player, manager, coach, “and most of all friend.”
Stansfeld have announced that they would observe a minute’s silence before their game with Erith Town tonight.
Mehmet began his career as a Millwall youth player, winning the FA Youth Cup in 1979 and moving on to the senior team the next day. He was also selected for England’s youth squad.
He appeared in almost 100 Millwall games before moving to America to play with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Within a year, he returned to Charlton to play for one season.
When he was released by the Addicks, Gills manager Keith Peacock signed him on a free transfer and designated him captain.
According to Roger Triggs’ book ‘The Men Who Made Gillingham’, he was “a class performer in an attacking midfield role, linking up well with his forwards and scoring some memorable goals.”
He continued to play in his 40s while at Stansfeld in the Kent County League.
Mehmet was also a coach at Beckenham Town, and he wrote on social media: “A true friend to many at our club and more across all levels of football, Dave will always be remembered and the memories never forgotten.”
During his tenure as manager at Phoenix Sports, he guided the reserve team to a league championship.
Millwall have announced that their players will wear black armbands for tonight’s encounter against Leicester City.
