Memories of Gillingham legend Andy Hessenthaler's Watford career

The tenacious midfielder was 26 when he made his Football League debut, after joining for £65,000 from non-league Redbridge Forest, and the fact he went on to make more than 550 career appearances is remarkable after getting his opportunity in the professional game at a relatively late age.

Hessenthaler when on to make 217 league and cup appearances for the Hornets, weighing in with 15 goals, before he controversially joined Gillingham in August 1996 where he was to become a legend.

He told the Watford Legends website in 2008: “It was a shame when I left because I didn’t leave on the right note, mainly because some things were said that simply weren’t true that were in the papers. I didn’t want to leave the club but I felt the offer they were making to me at the time simply wasn’t right.”

The midfielder pulls the trigger at Vicarage Road. (Image: Watford Observer)

Take a look at these pictures form our archive of the midfield dynamo in action for the Hornets during his time at Vicarage Road.

Hessenthaler scored 15 and league cup goals for the Hornets. (Image: Watford Observer)

Hessenthaler and Richard Johnson show off some new boots. (Image: Watford Observer)

Celebrating with Paul Furlong. (Image: Watford Observer)

Trying to take evasive action. (Image: Watford Observer)

Hessenthaler in action against West Ham. (Image: Watford Observer)

Arms aloft in celebration. (Image: Watford Observer)

Hessenthaler driving forward against Spurs. (Image: Watford Observer)

The midfielder fires in a shot against Leeds. (Image: Watford Observer)