Jakob Andrew Hessenthaler (born 20 April 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Ebbsfleet United.
He initially came through the youth academy at Chelsea, before later turning professional with Gillingham. He went on to play 181 times over a five-year stay that also brought loan spells with non-league sides Merstham, Lewes, Tamworth and Margate. He joined Grimsby Town where he remained for several seasons before joining Crawley Town in 2020.
Career Gillingham Born in Gravesend, Kent, Hessenthaler began his career with Chelsea as an Under-8 in their youth system and was 15 when Chelsea released him after seven years with the club.
He signed his first professional contract with Gillingham in February 2013. In February 2012, he joined Isthmian League Division One South side Whitstable Town on a work-experience loan, along with Josh Hare. In January 2013, Hessenthaler signed for Merstham on loan. After loan spells with non-League clubs Lewes, Tamworth and Margate, he made his debut for Gillingham on 30 November 2013 as an 85th minute substitute in a 4–1 away league loss to Rotherham United.
On 7 February 2014, Hessenthaler signed a new long-term deal at Gillingham to keep him contracted until the end of the 2017–18 season. He scored his first goal for Gillingham in a 4–2 win at home to Coventry City on 11 March 2014, with a 40-yard strike in the 90th minute. His goal against Coventry earned him Gillingham's 'Goal of the Season' award, whilst he also won the club's 'Young Player of the Year' award for the 2013–14 season.
Grimsby Town He was released by Gillingham at the end of the 2017–18 season and signed a two-year contract with Grimsby Town on 25 June 2018. He scored his first goal for Grimsby in a 2–1 EFL Trophy win over Notts County on 4 September 2018.
On 28 January 2020, he suffered a punctured lung, a broken rib, and ligament damage across the shoulder and collarbone as a result of a challenge by Simeon Jackson in the first minute of a 3–1 victory over Stevenage.
Crawley Town Hessenthaler was released by Grimsby at the end of the 2019–20 season. On 1 September 2020, he signed for fellow League Two side Crawley Town. He scored his first goal for Crawley on 30 January 2021 in a 3–1 defeat against Cambridge United.
On 31 January 2023, Hessenthaler joined National League club Woking on loan until the end of the season.
Dagenham & Redbridge On 21 July 2023, Hessenthaler signed a two-year deal with Dagenham & Redbridge.
Ebbsfleet United In June 2025, Hessenthaler joined Ebbsfleet United following their relegation to the National League South.
Personal life Hessenthaler is the son of former Gillingham player and manager Andy Hessenthaler, the nephew of Darren Hare, who has worked as Gillingham's youth team manager, and the cousin of former Gillingham teammate Josh Hare.
Honours Individual
Gillingham Young Player of the Season: 2013–14
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGillingham2012–13League Two00000000002013–14League One1910000001912014–15League One3711010604512015–16League One3841021204352016–17League One2812110203322017–18League One370201010410Total159761511101819Tamworth (loan)2012–13Conference Premier60———60Margate (loan)2013–14IL Premier Division60———60Grimsby Town2018–19League Two4403010215012019–20League Two281203020351Total721504041852Crawley Town2020–21League Two4614000105112021–22League Two3241010103542022–23League Two210113020271Total9956140401136Woking (loan)2022–23National League70———70Dagenham & Redbridge2023–24National League46110—104812024–25National League34120—40401Total80230—50882Career total4291520213124148619
References
External links at the Grimsby Town F.C. website Jake Hessenthaler profile at the Gillingham F.C. website Jake Hessenthaler profile at the Margate F.C. website