Gary Hemens tends to Romain Vincelot at Rotherham. Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham physio Gary Hemens got a standing ovation from the entire squad after his prompt actions ensured an injury to Romain Vincelot last weekend didn’t develop into anything more serious.

The on-loan midfielder was knocked out following an ugly challenge from Rotherham’s Jason Taylor and Hemens had to act quickly to clear the player’s airway.

Vincelot went to hospital as a precaution but the team turned up after the match to make sure he didn’t go home alone.

And it was a moment boss Martin Allen believes spoke volumes of the team spirit.

He said: "I asked the players what we should all do and unanimously they all said, ‘let’s go to the hospital’. It meant we got back to Gillingham three hours after we were expecting but that typifies the spirit and camaraderie that they all feel for each other.

"When Romain and Gary came out back to the team coach, all the players and staff were waiting outside the team bus and they all gave him (Hemens) a standing ovation and hugged him because what he did was magic. It puts it into perspective what we do."

Allen added: "We got back late, late, late on Saturday night and then the pair of them drove all the way to Brighton to take Romain home. When you have staff like that battling for you and working with you, you know you are on to a good thing."