I HAD A TAYLOR MADE MENTOR!

WHO inspires the inspirations in the ever-changing world of football? Which traits stand the test of time?

- Andy Mitchell

In the latest of our series, we pick the brains of Dover Athletic boss Andy Hessenthaler.

He picks ex-England under-21 and Leicester City manager Peter Taylor, the man who launched his professional careers on the pitch and in the dugout.

It all started with an impressive performance for Corinthian in a Kent County Cup match against Taylor’s Dartford and the pair would be reunited when Taylor was appointed as Steve Perryman’s assistant at Watford following a spell managing Enfield, plucking the midfielder from Redbridge Forest.

After captaining the Hornets, Hessenthaler moved on to Gillingham under Tony Pulis and was later offered the player-manager’s job, something which brought together protégé and mentor for a third time.

WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST GAFFER AND WHY?

Peter Taylor gave me my first opportunity in professional football. When he first came in for me at Dartford, I knew who he was from his career with Tottenham and England and everything started to evolve from there for me.

Pete wasn’t the manager at Watford, Steve was, but I still classed him as the gaffer because of what he had done for me.

After they left, I became captain and later signed for Gillingham. We lost the playoff final to Manchester City in heartbreaking circumstances, losing on penalties after being two goals up.

Tony (Pulis) went on to manage Bristol City so the chairman, Paul Scally, asked me to become player-manager. I was coming up to 34 and wanted to focus on playing. Peter had been pretty successful with England under-21s and there was a bit of an outcry when he was relieved of his duties.