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*BS*Speaking to Jack O’Sullivan shortly after signing on loan from Leyton Orient until the end of the season, former Whites captain Connor Essam says he has unfinished business at Crabble – and that it’s great to be back.*BF*

The commanding central defender agreed a deal to link back up with Chris Kinnear’s men for the duration of the 2015/16 season, having left the club in July 2015 for a move to League Two side Leyton Orient.

Essam, who played 42 times for Whites last season, says he has his eyes firmly set on what he wants to achieve now he has returned to the club: “*IS*There’s definitely unfinished business for me at Dover, and it’s great to be back. Last year, I left the club because I wanted to play in the Football League but it was with a heavy heart. To start off with, it worked out very well but then I picked an injury up, and it just wasn’t the same afterwards.*IF*

“*IS*Last season we achieved a lot, and without our poor start last time around I think we’d have made the playoffs. From that point of view, I’m certainly here for promotion and that’s why I’ve come here. I think I can help the team achieve that.*IF*”

The 23-year-old says that he has been watching Whites’ performances so far this season – and is impressed at what his former team-mates have achieved thus far: “*IS*I’ve been following the side throughout this season and they have done a great job. It was always going to be tough to better what we achieved last season, but it’s looking like a real possibility.*IF*

“*IS*With the players kept on from last year, and the new signings that have been brought in, it’s all going in the right direction. I’m hoping that with a little help from me, we can definitely make the playoffs and from there, it’s a lottery but we’ll get to that when it comes to it.*IF*

“*IS*For now, we take one game at a time and make sure we’re there come the end of the season. Every footballer wants to be playing week in, week out. I know there’s only nine games left of the regular season but that’s still almost a quarter of the season – and then, hopefully, the playoff games after that.*IF*”

Essam, who has made 26 first-team appearances for The O’s this season, admits that once he learnt of Whites’ interest, his mind was made up: “*IS*There was only going to be one place I wanted to go. Dover are a club that are close to me, and I certainly wouldn’t have joined another National League club.*IF*

“*IS*I absolutely believe that there are clubs in the National League that are better than some in League Two. The top six or eight sides in League Two are very good, they’re a step above but otherwise I don’t think there’s much difference. It’s just getting into the League in the first place, with only two sides being promoted – but that’s the way the league is set out and that’s what we’re up against. I think the two leagues are getting closer and closer – the standard in non-league is much better than it used to be.*IF*”

One of the former Gillingham man’s most memorable moments last season was his winning goal against Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup – a strike which set up a tie at Crabble against Premier League side Crystal Palace – but Essam says the continued league performances were his highlight: “*IS*Our overall league results were very special. That’s probably a bigger achievement for me than the Cup game. At the start of the season, many people would’ve taken us to finish one place outside the relegation zone come the end of the season. Nobody expected us to do as well as we did.*IF*

“*IS*I’m looking forward to getting started here again. There’s obviously no guarantees I’ll get straight back in, but I’m keen to take my chance when it comes and try and play as many games as possible between now and the end of the season.*IF*

“*IS*We’ve got some tough teams still to play this season, against the so-called bigger sides. That could help us in our playoff chase though, as if we beat them then it really knocks them. But it’s one game at a time, we’ve got big one on Saturday and three points in that game is all that matters at the moment.*IF*”

The club would like to welcome Connor back to Crabble, and wish him the best of luck during the second part of his career with us.

*BS*Dover Athletic are delighted to confirm that former captain Connor Essam has rejoined the club, on loan from League Two side Leyton Orient until the end of the season.*BF*

The 23-year-old centre-back left Crabble in July 2015, having joined the previous November, and made 42 appearances for Whites last season. The former Gillingham man scored one of the most memorable goals in the club’s history, with his late strike away at Cheltenham Town setting up an FA Cup Third Round tie at Crabble against Crystal Palace.

In this campaign, Essam has made 26 first-team appearances for The O’s.

With just nine matches of the regular Vanarama National League season remaining – plus the possibility of playoff matches – Chris Kinnear has moved to bring the fans’ favourite back to Crabble for the exciting run-in.

*BS*Speaking to Jack O’Sullivan shortly after signing on loan from Leyton Orient until the end of the season, former Whites captain Connor Essam says he has unfinished business at Crabble – and that it’s great to be back.*BF*

The commanding central defender agreed a deal to link back up with Chris Kinnear’s men for the duration of the 2015/16 season, having left the club in July 2015 for a move to League Two side Leyton Orient.

Essam, who played 42 times for Whites last season, says he has his eyes firmly set on what he wants to achieve now he has returned to the club: “*IS*There’s definitely unfinished business for me at Dover, and it’s great to be back. Last year, I left the club because I wanted to play in the Football League but it was with a heavy heart. To start off with, it worked out very well but then I picked an injury up, and it just wasn’t the same afterwards.*IF*

“*IS*Last season we achieved a lot, and without our poor start last time around I think we’d have made the playoffs. From that point of view, I’m certainly here for promotion and that’s why I’ve come here. I think I can help the team achieve that.*IF*”

The 23-year-old says that he has been watching Whites’ performances so far this season – and is impressed at what his former team-mates have achieved thus far: “*IS*I’ve been following the side throughout this season and they have done a great job. It was always going to be tough to better what we achieved last season, but it’s looking like a real possibility.*IF*

“*IS*With the players kept on from last year, and the new signings that have been brought in, it’s all going in the right direction. I’m hoping that with a little help from me, we can definitely make the playoffs and from there, it’s a lottery but we’ll get to that when it comes to it.*IF*

“*IS*For now, we take one game at a time and make sure we’re there come the end of the season. Every footballer wants to be playing week in, week out. I know there’s only nine games left of the regular season but that’s still almost a quarter of the season – and then, hopefully, the playoff games after that.*IF*”

Essam, who has made 26 first-team appearances for The O’s this season, admits that once he learnt of Whites’ interest, his mind was made up: “*IS*There was only going to be one place I wanted to go. Dover are a club that are close to me, and I certainly wouldn’t have joined another National League club.*IF*

“*IS*I absolutely believe that there are clubs in the National League that are better than some in League Two. The top six or eight sides in League Two are very good, they’re a step above but otherwise I don’t think there’s much difference. It’s just getting into the League in the first place, with only two sides being promoted – but that’s the way the league is set out and that’s what we’re up against. I think the two leagues are getting closer and closer – the standard in non-league is much better than it used to be.*IF*”

One of the former Gillingham man’s most memorable moments last season was his winning goal against Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup – a strike which set up a tie at Crabble against Premier League side Crystal Palace – but Essam says the continued league performances were his highlight: “*IS*Our overall league results were very special. That’s probably a bigger achievement for me than the Cup game. At the start of the season, many people would’ve taken us to finish one place outside the relegation zone come the end of the season. Nobody expected us to do as well as we did.*IF*

“*IS*I’m looking forward to getting started here again. There’s obviously no guarantees I’ll get straight back in, but I’m keen to take my chance when it comes and try and play as many games as possible between now and the end of the season.*IF*

“*IS*We’ve got some tough teams still to play this season, against the so-called bigger sides. That could help us in our playoff chase though, as if we beat them then it really knocks them. But it’s one game at a time, we’ve got big one on Saturday and three points in that game is all that matters at the moment.*IF*”

The club would like to welcome Connor back to Crabble, and wish him the best of luck during the second part of his career with us.

*BS*Dover Athletic are delighted to confirm that former captain Connor Essam has rejoined the club, on loan from League Two side Leyton Orient until the end of the season.*BF*

The 23-year-old centre-back left Crabble in July 2015, having joined the previous November, and made 42 appearances for Whites last season. The former Gillingham man scored one of the most memorable goals in the club’s history, with his late strike away at Cheltenham Town setting up an FA Cup Third Round tie at Crabble against Crystal Palace.

In this campaign, Essam has made 26 first-team appearances for The O’s.

With just nine matches of the regular Vanarama National League season remaining – plus the possibility of playoff matches – Chris Kinnear has moved to bring the fans’ favourite back to Crabble for the exciting run-in.

*BS* Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach to Macclesfield on Tuesday 12th April

Adults Members £35
Adult Non Members £40

Accompanied Child (under 16) £15

DASC Lotto Winner Carl Van Der Veen

Departs Crabble @ 1:00pm

*BS*Please call or text Andy on 07934300335*BF*

*BS*Andy will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*

*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*

*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*

*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.

It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF

*BS* Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach to Wrexham on Saturday 9th April

Adults Members £33
Adult Non Members £37

Accompanied Child (under 16) £10

DASC Lotto Winner Tim Farrell

Departs Crabble @ 07:30am

*BS*Please call or text Andy on 07934300335*BF*

*BS*Andy will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*

*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*

*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*

*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.

It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF

*BS* Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach to Altrincham on Tuesday 5th April

Adults Members £35
Adult Non Members £40

Accompanied Child (under 16) £15

DASC Lotto Winner Chris Collings

Departs Crabble @ 12:30pm

*BS*Please call or text Andy on 07934300335*BF*

*BS*Andy will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*

*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*

*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*

*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.

It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF

*BS* Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach to Macclesfield on Tuesday 12th April

Adults Members £35
Adult Non Members £40

Accompanied Child (under 16) £15

DASC Lotto Winner Carl Van Der Veen

Departs Crabble @ 1:00pm

*BS*Please call or text Andy on 07934300335*BF*

*BS*Andy will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*

*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*

*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*

*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.

It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF

*BS* Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach to Wrexham on Saturday 9th April

Adults Members £33
Adult Non Members £37

Accompanied Child (under 16) £10

DASC Lotto Winner Tim Farrell

Departs Crabble @ 07:30am

*BS*Please call or text Andy on 07934300335*BF*

*BS*Andy will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*

*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*

*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*

*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.

It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF