BURSLEM — Former Port Vale and Gillingham captain Doug Loft has died at the age of 39 following a medical emergency at the weekend, Gillingham have announced. Loft, who captained both clubs during a distinguished career in the Football League, made 196 appearances for Vale between 2009 and 2014 and 70 appearances for the Gills after joining from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Port Vale said Loft would be remembered with deep affection in Burslem. "He will be remembered fondly by everyone at the club, not only for his achievements on the pitch but for the commitment and leadership he showed throughout his time in Burslem," a Port Vale statement said. The club added: "The thoughts and heartfelt condolences of everyone at Port Vale are with Doug's family, friends, former team-mates and all those who knew him, at this incredibly sad time." Gillingham said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with Doug's wife Laura, their children Freya and Amelie, along with his friends and family at this very difficult time."
Loft emerged at non-League Hastings United and signed for Brighton in January 2006 just after his 20th birthday, where he played three times in the Championship, scoring once, and made 46 further appearances in League One. He joined Port Vale in 2009 to link up again with manager Micky Adams, who had worked with him at Brighton, and went on to make 196 appearances, scoring 19 goals. He was named the club's player of the season for 2011-12 and was appointed captain, leading Vale to automatic promotion from League Two. Adams said "no one could have been prouder to have captained the club", and that he did so with "enthusiasm and endeavour".
Loft left Vale in 2014 to move back south with his family and was signed by Gillingham, where he was also made captain and spent two seasons in League One at Priestfield. He also had spells at Colchester United, Shrewsbury Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Billericay Town and Tonbridge Angels. With the blessing of Loft's family, Port Vale have requested permission from the EFL for their players to wear black armbands and to hold a minute's silence ahead of kick-off at this weekend's fixture against Chesterfield.