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Next Game: Pre-Season

Monday, October 30, 2006

Wallis move to Dover confirmed

As reported late on Saturday by Bulls News, John Wallis is going to Dover Athletic on loan for a month.

This, in full, is from the Dover Official Website:

JON WALLIS has signed for Dover on a one-month loan deal from League Two club Hereford.

Wallis, 20, who came through the youth academy at Gillingham and made 16 first-team appearances at Priestfield in League One last season, joins as cover for suspended John Keister and injured Danny Chapman.

The player is highly-rated by manager Clive Walker and will go straight into the side that travels to Godalming on Saturday. Chairman Jim Parmenter said: "We need some cover and had to bring someone in. The league is our priority this season and need to make sure we keep our eye on the ball there.

"With John suspended still and Danny injured, Jon can come to us and help overcome these problems.

"The games are going to be coming thick and fast during the next few weeks, so we need bodies. Jon can play anywhere across the midfield and can slot into the full-back positions too, so he gives Clive plenty of options.

"This deal has been struck because Jon knows Clive and Graham Turner, the Hereford manager, is a friend of Clive's. He knows that Dover Athletic are a good club and will look after him.

"Intitially, the deal is for one month but it could be extended."

Clive said: "Jon is a very skilful player and we're delighted to bring him to Crabble."

Wallis progressed through the youth ranks at Gillingham to sign his first proferssional contract, lasting one year, at the beginning of the 2005/06 season.

Wallis had been a mainstay in the youth and reserve teams at Gillingham and it was following some strong performances in the reserve team that boss Neale Cooper decided to hand Wallis his debut.

Although normally a central midfielder, Wallis made his debut at right back in the LDV Vans Trophy match at home to Crawley. 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.

He was released by Gillingham in May and signed for Hereford United.