Andy Hessenthaler was part of a special group of players that might never be matched at the Gills.

The team dug deep in the 2000 play-off final against Wigan Athletic - 20 years ago today - to come from behind and win it with two late goals in extra-time.

Club legend Hessenthaler had been through the heartache of 1999, losing the lead late on against Manchester City and suffering defeat on penalties, but 2000 was their year.

He said: “To have been able to go back to Wembley the year after and then basically turn it around and get promoted was unbelievable.

“To come back from the heartache of losing to Manchester City takes a lot of character and we showed it.

“We deserved to go up against Man City, it was just the last few minutes that went against us, but we put it right the year after and the way we did it was unbelievable.

“It had been a fantastic year, we had the cup runs as well and you never forget that group of players. I worked with them as team-mates and have then worked with them as their manager and it is hard to find a group of players like that again now.

“With football now, you don’t really socialise outside of football with the families, but we all did. On the pitch we were together and the same off it. Every player knew the wives and girlfriends of their team-mates and the kids, it was a real family situation and I felt that helped us to keep together.

“Yes we had our moments and we had our rows in the dressing room, but nobody took it to heart, nobody took it personally, they took it on board and kept fighting for each other.

“I have been in dressing rooms where people take it personally and it doesn’t help the situation.

“We had a group of players who would hold their hands up when they made a mistake and someone might have a pop at them, but they wouldn’t sulk, they would respond to it, they dealt with it because we were a team. That, for me, is the biggest part of why we had so much success as we did.”

The Gills had gone 2-1 down in that play-off final and Hessenthaler was one of those rallying the troops. But even he admitted the worst crossed his mind.

“We’re thinking ‘oh no, not again’,” he said, 20 years on.

“It is testament to the group, the never say die attitude. I would be lying if I said I didn’t think ‘oh my god, this isn’t going to happen, we have blown it,’ and I am sure all the boys had the same thoughts.

“But fortunately we dug in, we kept going and kept believing and fortunately for us we popped up with a couple of bits or real quality at the right time to win the game.”

Headed goals from Steve Butler and Andy Thomson won it for the Gills. The party back in Maidstone went long into the night.

Hessenthaler said: “Pete made some changes and they worked out superbly for us didn’t they?

“We had to do something, we made the changes, a great bit of quality from Junior (Lewis), a great bit of quality too from Ty Gooden for Thomo, two great headers, two strikers who are capable.

“I don’t think Buts scored too many headers in his career, he might say different, but it was a fantastic ball in and a great header and then Thomo. Typical striker, getting across the front of somebody and flicks it in.

“We deserved it. People will say they were unlucky to go down to ten men (Kevin Sharp was sent off for Wigan just before the end of normal time) but for me, we deserved it for what we had been through the year before and we deserved to get promoted.

“We had strong characters. You talk about captains but it wasn’t just one, it was everyone. Pete would say he was fortunate to inherit a group of players that he did, but he tinkered with it, he put his own stamp on it with the way he wanted to do things and for me, what a lovely position to be in as a manager.

“When you have that group of players crossing that white line, you know what you are getting every week.”

Hessenthaler took charge of the Gills for their years in the second tier, following Taylor’s departure for Leicester City. Progressing year on year and ending up 11th in 2003, the highest the club have ever finished in their season.

“They made my job so easy,” Hessenthaler said.

“I remember my first team-talk when I became player-manager, you have your Pennocks and Butters, Ashby and Smudger and I was there doing my team-talk and all I could see them sitting at the back with a massive grin on their faces, laughing basically.

“I had to walk out of the room, I couldn’t stop laughing, I couldn’t stay serious and I didn’t need to talk to them again. That was what the group were about, top drawer lads, a pleasure to play with and manage. They were good times at the club.

“We went into the Championship, we grew, finishing 13th, 12th and then 11th and made history that year and then unfortunately the group got a bit older, dispersed, players left. We lost people over the years.

“Unfortunately that group was always going to get broken up. A bit like that Arsenal group, the invincibles, they were unbelievable but they get older, players leave.

“It was hard to replace those types of players and then the finances come along and it becomes harder in that league but those were great memories, a great group, great times and a big part of my life.”

Andy Thomson: The goal that topped everything for Gills' 2000 match winner

Peter Taylor: Big decisions and big moments as former boss remembers play-off win

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