ANDY HESSENTHALER'S four-year reign as Gillingham player-manager ended on Tuesday with his resignation.

Hessenthaler, 39, requested a meeting with chairman Paul Scally at his home on Monday night when he asked to be released from his duties as team manager with immediate effect. He told Mr Scally that he felt he had taken the team as far as he could.

He has been offered a place on the club's board of directors.

Gillingham have won one of their last 14 games, are second from bottom in the Championship and favourites for relegation.

Assistant manager John Gorman has been placed in charge for Saturday's home game against Nottingham Forest.

Hessenthaler succeeded his close friend Peter Taylor as Gillingham manager on June 28, 2000 when he signed a three year contract. On March 1 this year he renewed his commitment to the club by signing a new three-year deal, though this was a player's contract.

The popular midfielder was signed from Watford by former manager Tony Pulis on August 7, 1996 for £235,000 and made an instant impact.

In a statement, Mr Scally said: "Because of the tremendous respect I have for Andy as an individual and a leader, I have accepted his request but I have asked him to join my colleagues and myself on the Board of Directors which he will consider over the next few days."

Hessenthaler will continue to train with the first team for the time being and will be available for selection.

Mr Scally added: “It is the actions of a big man to step down from a position of responsibility when the interests of others may be improved.

“Andy Hessenthaler is, and will remain, as far as I and Gillingham Football Club fans are concerned, a big and brave man.”

HESSENTHALER FACTFILE:

Born: August 17, 1965.

September 1991: Signed for Watford after playing non-league football for Redbridge Forest.

August 1996: Signed for Gillingham for a club record fee of £235,000.

1999: Peter Taylor made Hessenthaler player-coach. The midfielder was named Gillingham's Player of the Year after the club's 1999/00 promotion season.

June 28, 2000: Appointed as player-manager at the Priestfield after Peter Taylor left to join Leicester City.

2002/03: Guided Gillingham to their highest ever league finish: 11th in Division One.

2003/04: The club avoid relegation to Division Two on the last day of the season.

November 23, 2004: The club announce Hessenthaler has stepped down with immediate effect.

* In a frank interview with KM-fm's Sports Editor Simon Watts, Hessenthaler said he felt the club now needed someone else to take it in a new direction...