Sean Francis wore the captain’s armband at Dover a couple of times last season.

But this Saturday will see the big central defender trying to inspire his new club Bromley to victory against his former team-mates.

Francis will come face-to-face with Whites for the first time since leaving Crabble at the end of last season for their Vanarama National League rivals, when the sides clash at Hayes Lane.

And while he is looking forward to catching up with a few of his mates, he won’t be giving them any favours and he expects none in return.

He said: “It will be a case of mates before the game and after it but for 90 minutes, those friendships will be put on hold.

“There are three points to be won and we will all be doing our best to get them.

“I will be no different to those I used to play alongside for Dover because we both want to win for our respective clubs.

“It should be a cracking game and I am looking forward to playing in it but I won’t be treating it any differently to any other game I play. You can’t let emotions come into it.”

During his time with Whites last season, Francis made 24 league and two FA Cup appearances, scoring three times after joining from Bishop’s Stortford in the summer and spent plenty of time marking striker Stefan Payne in training.

Now he is facing the prospect of doing it for real, a challenge he is relishing.

He said: “Stefan knows my game and I know his. If I get to mark him it should be interesting to see who comes out on top.

“I am sure there will be a bit of banter.”

Francis captained Whites twice when Connor Essam was suspended and he has fond memories of his time at Crabble.

Francis, who has scored once in four league appearances for last season’s Vanarama Conference South champions, said: “It was a real honour to lead the lads when I got given the opportunity.

“It’s a great honour to wear a captain’s armband at any level so I was grateful the gaffer gave me that chance. It will be something I always cherish.”