Midfielder Jake Hessenthaler says his move to Ebbsfleet United is living up to expectations

Midfielder Jake Hessenthaler believes Ebbsfleet can match his ambitions this season.

The 31-year-old former Gillingham man is back in Kent after spells at Grimsby, Crawley and Dagenham.

It’s also his first season playing in National League South so Hessenthaler was keen to find the right club.

“It ticked everything for me, to be honest,” said Hessenthaler. “Obviously the first time being at this level, it had to be the right club for me.

“I wasn’t just going to come and be at a club where I had no expectation and no expectations to get promoted again and stuff like that. It needed to be the right club and the club itself has been fantastic for me. I’m thoroughly enjoying it.

“It was nice to come back, being a Kent boy, wanting to come back and just enjoy my football again. Especially at this time in my career, I want to enjoy my football with people I’ve worked with before.”

Hessenthaler has already emerged as a key figure in the Fleet’s squad this season.

He’s added the bite to their midfield that was missing last year and will have a big role to play if they’re to be successful.

“We’ve got an excellent team,” he responded. “The strength and depth is very good and you’ve got to be on top of your game whenever you play, whenever you get that chance.

“Lucky for me, at the moment, I feel like I started pre-season well and started the season really well as well. I’ve had a little bit of illness in the last week or so and hopefully I can get over that and kick on again because that’s what I’m here to do.

“I want to help get this team back where I believe it should be and then also to kick on again with them because it’s got everything in place.

“It’s got everything behind the scenes, we get well looked after and we’re just