Gilingham's Chairman Paul Scally during their pre-season friendly with Millwall at Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham, Kent, 23rd July 2011.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally praises ‘tremendous’ Hessenthaler.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally has said mutually agreeing to terminate Andy Hessenthaler’s contract was his hardest ever decision.

It’s no secret that the two are close friends, having been at the club together for a number of years.

He said: “It was, because Hessy’s a close friend of mine, I had to try and divorce my friendship from my business head, and that wasn’t very easy really and it’s troubled me for a few days, a week now really.

“In my heart I knew it was the right decision, but it wasn’t a decision I wanted to make. I had to make that decision because we couldn’t progress the business without getting that sorted.

“I had a very fruitful chat with Hessy, being the honest man he is, he accepted a change was probably right, that’s how it ended up.

“I think Andy has done a tremendous job for the football club over the past two years, he’s, a loyal servant, he’s an honest man, a man of great integrity, very hard working, and very dedicated, and of course he loves the club dearly.

“But for all that effort from him, his management team and the players, we weren’t able to achieve what we thought was achievable, and getting out of this division, having had two attempts at it. I felt in my heart it was right that he should step down and we should bring someone else in to take on what he’s set up.”

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