Former Gillingham striker Robert Taylor has told KSN that he’d be thrilled to land a role at the club in the future.

However, the Diss Town manager insisted he wouldn’t be putting his name forward for the vacant manager’s position following Andy Hessenthaler’s departure on Tuesday.

News that Hessenthaler has left his position came as a surprise to many Gills fans, with Taylor admitting that he felt that his former team-mate should have been given one more year to prove himself:

“I was surprised, I thought he’d be given one more year. He had a three year contract and I believe given that one more year, he’d have got the squad back together again.”

“That’s football for you though. I was a bit shocked when I heard the news, but I wish him well.”

The pair spoke just the other day, but Taylor admitted it wasn’t for him to offer Hessenthaler any advice as to whether he should take on the role on the Board of Directors:

“I don’t know what Hessy’s going to do, he’s his own man and he’s got his family to think of at this moment in time. He’ll make the right decisions for his family.”

“It’s not just about Andy Hessenthaler, it’s about his wife and kids and what they want him to do. They’ll have a lot of input into what he decides to do and it’s down to them as a family to decide which path he’s going to take.”

Following Hessenthaler’s departure, Sky Bet were instantly offering odds of 33/1 on Taylor becoming the next Gillingham manager, but the 41 year old told KSN that it wouldn’t be a job he’d be applying for:

“I haven’t applied for it. I have seen my name down the list, but there’s plenty more experienced manager than me out there, but it would be nice to be involved somewhere along the line.”

“It would be nice to get down there and give my input. As for the managerial side of things, I’ll leave that to the more experienced people out there.”

“I’ve still got a lot to learn in the game, but I’d love to come to the club in some kind of coaching role and help the youngsters through the club as well.”

“There isn’t a lot of money around lower league football these days and people are looking at youth. I’d love to help some local boys push their way on through the club.”

However, if Paul Scally were to give him a call and ask him to apply, Taylor conceded it would be an easy decision:

“Without a doubt, yes I’d be interested. I have probably been my own worst critic in the past and people have been telling me that I should be more involved in football.”

“I have probably got to believe more in my own ability. I’ve been involved with local clubs that have had hardly any money and I’ve done very well. I’ve done well at progressing players and got them through to the pro game.”

“A lot of people have been telling me to apply for the job, but I’m not sure I’m experienced enough to do it at this moment in time. It would be nice to be involved with someone who is experienced and learn from them and put your own stamp on it later on in life.”

“If Mr Scally did ring me up and ask me to go for the job or be involved with the club, I’d love to do that.”

Taylor is still one of the former players that can be seen regularly sitting amongst the fans at Priestfield and was there for the last game of the season against Morecambe:

“I’ve sat in the Rainham End and was there sat in the Main Stand for the game at the weekend. I was cheering away, clapping and jumping up and down when we scored the goals.”

“The club is a good club to be at. It was nice to play there, the people are lovely and the supporters are great. They turn out, week in, week out to watch them play.”

“I enjoyed my time there and it’s nice to come back when I can and watch the team play.”

Just about to plan for his fifth season as Manager of Diss Town, Taylor revealed he is happy with the way things have gone for his side:

“We’re on the up and progressing nicely. We have got a lot of young lads from leagues below which we’ve brought in and made them better players. We have been one of the in form teams towards the end of the season and we’re progressing as a team and as a football club.”

“Hopefully next year we can bring one or two experienced players in to help the young boys along.”

Ironically ,just hours before Andy Hessenthaler’s departure was announced, Diss Town revealed that they had agreed a friendly with Gillingham on Saturday 21st July and Taylor is hoping that game will still go ahead:

“Hessy did say he’d be bringing his first team squad and we’ve gone with that in terms of our advertising. Whoever comes in as the new manager, hopefully honours that because we’ve arranged everything.”

“We’ve spent money on advertising the game already and cancelled some good friendlies on that day to have Gillingham up, so hopefully it happens as Diss is a lovely club and it’s a good pitch to play on.”

Keep an eye out in the next few days for the second part of our exclusive interview with Robert “Super Bob” Taylor.