Jon Wallis
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Kevin "Jon" Wallis (born 4 April 1986 in Gravesend
) is an English
footballer who plays for Conference South
side Dartford F.C.
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 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 former Gillingham manager.
After Dover Athletic won the Isthmian League Division One South title, Wallis opted to sign a new one-year deal in May 2008. The following season saw more success for the Kent club as they won the Isthmian League Premier Division at the first time of asking which prompted Wallis to sign another new contract for Dover Athletic.
Gravesend, Kent
Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent, England, on the south bank of the Thames, opposite Tilbury in Essex. It is the administrative town of the Borough of Gravesham and, because of its geographical position, has always had an important role to play in the history and communications of this part of...
) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who plays for Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
side Dartford F.C.
Dartford F.C.
Dartford F.C. are an English football club based in Dartford, Kent. After finishing as champions of the Isthmian League Division One North in the 2007–08 season, they compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division. They finished in 8th position in their first season...
Career
He progressed through the youth ranks at GillinghamGillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
and signed his first professional contract, at the beginning of the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season. Prior to this he had spent three months work experience at Hastings United
Hastings United F.C.
Hastings United is a semi-professional English football club who currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division and are affiliated to the Sussex County Football Association and the Hastings Football Association....
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
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, Wallis made his debut at right back in the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
match at home to Crawley Town
Crawley Town F.C.
Crawley Town Football Club is an English football club based in Crawley, West Sussex. They won the title of the Football Conference, by a record 15 point margin on second place, and with it promotion to The Football League, in April 2011.-1896–2009:...
. 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
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
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
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
. However, he made only two substitute appearances for the Bulls.
On 28 October 2006, he went on loan to Dover as midfield cover, making 12 appearances and scoring his first goal of the season in the 4–0 win over Ashford Town
Ashford Town F.C. (Kent)
Ashford United F.C. are an English football club based in Ashford, Kent. The 'new' United was formed in 2011 . Between 1930 and 2010 the town was represented by Ashford Town FC, before it ultimately went into administration...
. On 19 February 2007 he went out on loan again, this time to Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
, making two substitute appearances.
On 27 March 2007, he left Hereford by mutual consent and subsequently signed for Dover Athletic
Dover Athletic F.C.
Dover Athletic Football Club is an association football team based in the town of Dover, Kent, England. The club was formed in 1983 after the dissolution of the town's previous club, Dover, whose place in the Southern League was taken by the new club...
until the end of the season.
Andy Hessenthaler
Andy Hessenthaler
Andrew "Andy" Hessenthaler is an English football manager and former player, currently in his second spell as manager of Gillingham. Hessenthaler began his career in non-league football and did not turn professional until he joined Watford at the age of 26...
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
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
club to develop his game under the former Gillingham manager.
After Dover Athletic won the Isthmian League Division One South title, Wallis opted to sign a new one-year deal in May 2008. The following season saw more success for the Kent club as they won the Isthmian League Premier Division at the first time of asking which prompted Wallis to sign another new contract for Dover Athletic.