IT IS the end of an era. Andy Hessenthaler’s loan move to Hull took me a bit by surprise when it was revealed, and it will take some getting used to that he’s no longer part of the squad.

However, now that the initial surprise has worn off, I think it’s a good move for all parties.

As much as it pains me to say it, Hess has been struggling on the pitch this season, and with funds so tight, we can’t afford to keep hold of high earners who just aren’t performing.

The money that we were paying Hess, and the week’s other departure, Tommy Johnson, can be used to bring in a couple of new faces for the battle ahead.

Hess made a total of 341 appearances for the club, scoring 27 goals, and epitomised everything about the club in his time with us.

He was rightly voted as our greatest ever player in a recent BBC survey, and I wish him all the very best for his time at Hull.

And I’ve still not given up hope that he might get to make Gills appearance 342 on the last day of the season.

He’ll be back with us on May 3, so he could make an emotional farewell to the Gills fans at the City Ground.

In contrast to Hess, not so many fans will have been upset to see Tommy leave the club after an injury-ravaged two-and-a-half seasons.

When he was fit, he was clearly a class act, but sadly for all concerned, Tommy being fit happened far too infrequently.

He was restricted to just 56 appearances in his time at the club, scoring eight goals – a far cry from what we would have hoped for when he signed for us in July 2002.

He’s signed Mike Flynn, and I’m sure Stan must have some other new faces lined up if he can allow two of our most experienced players, and two who play in positions where we are short of bodies, leave.

We have a good recent record against the Hornets so hopefully we can get a result to push us closer to our safety target of 50 points.