Son of former Leyton Orient boss Andy Hessenthaler certain new owners will bring much-needed stability at east London club

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient defender Jamie Sendles-White heads the ball forward against Gillingham (pic: Simon O'Connor),Leyton Orient defender Jamie Sendles-White heads the ball forward against Gillingham (pic: Simon O'Connor), (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Gillingham midfielder Jake Hessenthaler, son of former Leyton Orient boss Andy, has revealed he hopes to see the east London club return to the Football League soon.

The 23-year-old produced an assured display against the O’s on Saturday to help his team make it through to the second round of the FA Cup after a deserved 2-1 victory at Priestfield Stadium.

Although Hessenthaler junior got some stick from the travelling Orient fans, he is looking forward to seeing the club improve now former Italian chairman Francesco Becchetti has left and been replaced by Nigel Travis and Kent Teague.

“The main thing is the old owner has gone and there seems to be stability there now,” said Hessenthaler junior.

“To be fair to Orient, they had a real go in the second half and hopefully they can carry on performing like that in the league.

“I hope they can get back into the Football League soon, but for now the main thing is stability and hopefully with that, they can start pushing up the leagues again.”

Hessenthaler admitted he only had a brief conversation with his Dad, who spent four months in charge of the O’s in 2016, in the build-up to the FA Cup clash.

And the Gills midfielder revealed his father told him not to underestimate Orient despite them being a National League club.

“I haven’t spoke to my Dad a lot recently because he is away a lot with Eastleigh, but he knows I have got the bit between my teeth at the moment,” said Hessenthaler junior.

“He just said to treat it as a league game and as if I were playing Rotherham United away like we did the previous Saturday.

“I got a bit of stick from their fans, but you are always going to get that and I find it funny and it all adds to it.

“Personally, I think it makes me play better when someone is shouting a bit of abuse at me, but my Dad and I didn’t have much of a chat.

“He just said to keep doing what I have been doing and hopefully I get the result and we did, which is the main thing.”