Kentish Football 
Dartford boss Tony Burman unveils Jon Wallis capture
Wallis, 25, is a skilful, creative and all-action central midfielder, who signed for Dover Athletic in June 2007, following his release from Football League club Hereford United during the 2006-07 season.
Wallis progressed through the youth ranks at Gillingham and signed his first professional contract, at the beginning of the 2005–06 season.
Prior to this he had spent three months work experience at Hastings United where he made 14 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals. Two of these goals were in the preliminary rounds of the FA Cup. He returned to the Pilot Field in September 2005 on a month's loan.
Back at Gillingham, Wallis had been a mainstay in the youth and reserve teams and it was following some strong performances in the reserve team that Neale Cooper decided to hand Wallis his debut. Although normally a central midfielder, Wallis made his debut at right back in the Football League Trophy match at home to Crawley Town. Gillingham won 2–0 that night in a game that went to extra time and Wallis played exceptionally well in an unfamiliar position.
In particular, Wallis showed a willingness to get forward to support the attack, and was involved in the thick of the action when he cleared a goal-bound effort during normal time.
Wallis went on to make around twenty performances in the 2005–06 season, almost entirely at right-back, however on 9 May 2006 he was released by Gillingham and a few weeks later signed for Hereford United. However, he made only two substitute appearances for the Bulls.
On 28 October 2006, he went on loan to Dover Athletic as midfield cover, making 12 appearances and scoring his first goal of the season in the 4–0 win over Ashford Town.
On 19 February 2007 he went out on loan again, this time to Dagenham & Redbridge, making two substitute appearances.
On 27 March 2007, he left Hereford by mutual consent and subsequently signed for Dover Athletic until the end of the season.
Andy Hessenthaler was appointed Dover Athletic manager in June 2007, and Wallis turned down a Football League club in order to spend at least another year at the Kent club to develop his game under the then former Gillingham manager.
After Dover Athletic won the Ryman League Division One South title, Wallis opted to sign a new one-year deal in May 2008.
The following season saw more success as they won the Ryman Premier League title at the first time of asking, which promoted Wallis to sign another new contract for Dover Athletic, but opportunities were limited under new boss Martin Hayes last season, the club’s second campaign in Blue Square Bet South.
Burman is, however, delighted to bring Wallis to Princes Park, as the Darts (who won the Kent Senior Cup with a convincing 4-1 win over Bromley in the final) look to better their top-ten finish in their campaign at Blue Square Bet South level, next season.
“I am delighted to attract Jon to the club, he has had a good five years at Dover,” Burman told www.dartfordfconline.com.
“Jon is an excellent player and I hope that he can have a good five years here at Dartford.”
Burman has this week confirmed the players who are staying, and leaving, the Princes Park outfit.
Tom Bonner, Elliot Bradbrook, Lee Burns, Tom Champion, Deren Ibrahim, Jack Pallen and Andy Young have all put pen to paper.
Danny Harris, Ryan Hayes and Lee Noble have all taken up options on their contracts to stay.
But Burman has released five players from last season’s squad; Billy Burgess, Carl Rook, James White, Joe Bruce and Adam Burchell.
Visit Dartford’s websites: www.dartfordfconline.com & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk
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