GILLINGHAM player-manager Andy Hessenthaler has taken the first step towards gaining his UEFA B coaching licence.

The Gills boss was joined by skipper Paul Smith, Chris Hope and former goalkeeper Vince Bartram among 23 candidates at Cobdown, Ditton near Maidstone.

Also in attendance were ex-Gill Mike Trusson and former Tottenham and Crystal Palace defender Dean Austin.

Supervising the course was former Gillingham skipper Alan Walker, now the Kent County Football Association’s head of coaching.

He said: “All the Gillingham contingent were a credit to themselves and the club.”