Former Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler is proud of how far son Jake has come in the past twelve months for the club.

The 20 year old has had a breakthrough season at Priestfield, making his debut under Peter Taylor in November and going on to 19 appearances for the Gills in League One.

In that first campaign for the midfielder, Hessenthaler junior scored the goal of the season, a spectacular effort from almost the halfway line against Coventry City at Priestfield.

Impressive performances for the rest of the season saw Hessenthaler become a regular in Taylor’s squads and it was that effort that earnt him the club’s Young Player of the Year award.

Having recently agreed a new four deal at Priestfield, Jake Hessenthaler has a bright future as he looks to follow in his father’s footsteps, with Andy proud of what his son has achieved so far:

“I had a bit of a lump in my throat at the Player of the Year awards when he was up on stage. It’s a credit to him as he’s worked very hard to get to where he is at the moment.”

“He also knows I’m his biggest critic and this is where it all starts. He’s just turned twenty and has won the Young Player of the Year, but he knows it’s all ahead of him and he had got to push on.”

The comparisons between the two are going to be made throughout Jake’s footballing career with Andy a club legend at Gillingham, but the pair differ in their styles and Andy hopes everyone appreciates Jake for his talents:

“I think Jake has got a bit more culture about him than myself!”

“Jake is Jake and that’s what he wants to be known for. I was at the club a long time and achieved quite a lot of things with Gillingham, but he wants to get where he is going on his own right.”

“He’s worked hard to get where he is so far and he’s got a better footballing brain that I ever had, but if he gets that bit of hunger that I had and keep the right attitude which he already has, I think he’s got a bright future.”

Because of having the Hessenthaler name, Jake probably has a little more pressure than most players at Gillingham, but it’s something he can deal with according to Andy:

“He’s such a level headed kid that he can take that pressure in his stride. Nothing seems to phase him and especially when I listen to him giving interviews.”

“He doesn’t show the pressure, but it must be there as he wants to do well for Gillingham Football Club.”

“At the moment, he needs to keep his feet on the ground, keep working hard and the key to it is to enjoy it. It’s a great living and he could have a really long career if he sticks at it.”

Meanwhile, Andy has been once again linked with a move back to Gillingham with Peter Taylor set to appoint a new Assistant Manager in the coming days.