Dartford's bid for for Gillingham defender Connor Essam fails
Steve Tervet
Dartford manager Tony Burman admits the club’s part-time status
is hindering his hunt for new signings after failing to bring
defender Connor Essam back to the club from Gillingham.
The 20-year-old (pictured) impressed during a loan stay at
Princes Park at the start of last year. He also made nine
appearances during a two-month spell with Dartford’s Blue Square
Bet Premier rivals Luton Town earlier this season.
Essam is expected to leave Priestfield before the end of the
month after Gills manager Martin Allen made him available on a free
transfer but he looks unlikely to re-join the Darts.
Burman said: "We have enquired about Connor. The situation there
has changed slightly because he’s been made available for transfer
at a full-time club. He’s talking to other clubs in the league that
are full-time and I can’t blame him for that.
"He’s worked hard and yes, we did enquire but it didn’t come
off. Circumstances have changed now, he’s on the transfer list and
his agent is looking for a full-time club."
With an FA Trophy quarter-final at Halifax to prepare for and
league games coming thick and fast, transfer business remains top
of Burman’s agenda. However, in a division top-heavy with
professional former Football League clubs, Dartford do not start
their negotiations from a position of strength.
Burman confirmed: "We are talking to people. With the amount of
games we’ve got coming up, we need to add some people to the
squad."
On Saturday, Dartford travel to face Hereford United, a side
they beat 4-0 at Princes Park in September.
16/01/13