DOVER ATHLETIC'S Jon Wallis has announced he is to stay at Crabble. The 21-year-old midfielder, who established himself as a fans' favourite last season, turned down the chance to join a Football League club in order to stay with the Whites.

Wallis made it clear that his decision had been massively influenced by the fact that Andy Hessenthaler is now in charge.

He said: "Hess has got big plans for this club and wants to take it places. I want to be part of that. Had Hess not been the manager, with Clive Walker and a number of players leaving, I'd almost definitely not have stayed here."

Hessenthaler, meanwhile, has also held talks with a "top quality striker", whom he will be meeting again when the player returns from holiday.

* See the Dover Mercury (Thursday, June 14) for the full story.