Connor Essam
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 Essam lining up for Dartford in August 2021. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Connor Essam[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 9 July 1992[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Sheerness, England[3] | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2002–2010 | Gillingham | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010–2013 | Gillingham | 18 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | → Bishop's Stortford (loan) | 10 | (0) |
| 2011 | → Dover Athletic (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2011 | → Bishop's Stortford (loan) | 7 | (1) |
| 2011–2012 | → Dartford (loan) | 7 | (1) |
| 2012 | → Luton Town (loan) | 9 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Crawley Town | 11 | (1) |
| 2013 | → Dartford (loan) | 4 | (1) |
| 2014–2015 | Dover Athletic | 38 | (4) |
| 2015–2016 | Leyton Orient | 24 | (0) |
| 2016 | → Dover Athletic (loan) | 8 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | Eastleigh | 11 | (0) |
| 2016 | → Woking (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2017 | → Dover Athletic (loan) | 16 | (1) |
| 2017–2019 | Dover Athletic | 64 | (2) |
| 2018–2019 | → Concord Rangers (loan) | 24 | (1) |
| 2019–2020 | Hemel Hempstead Town | 33 | (2) |
| 2020–2023 | Dartford | 85 | (4) |
| 2023–2024 | Faversham Town | 35 | (5) |
| 2024 | Faversham Town | 0 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15:10, 21 October 2024 (UTC) | |||
Connor Essam (born 9 July 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender.
Gillingham
Born in Chatham, Kent,[4] Essam joined Gillingham in January 2002 and progressed through the ranks of the youth team and also captained the side.[5] In March 2010, Essam was awarded his first professional contract along with Dean Rance and Charlie Stimson.[6] He was sent out to Conference South side Bishop's Stortford in October 2010 on an initial one-month loan which was later extended.[7] Later on in the season he joined Dover Athletic on loan in the same division.[8] His contract was extended by a year in May 2011.[9] In August 2011, Essam rejoined Bishop's Stortford of the Conference North on a one-month loan deal along with Dean Rance.[10] He scored his first goal for the club on 29 August in a 5–0 win over Hinckley United.[11] Essam joined Conference South outfit Dartford on loan in December 2011.[12] He scored in the 4–1 away league win over Staines Town.[13] Essam made his professional and Gillingham debut on 13 February 2012 in a 2–1 home defeat to Southend United.[14] On 31 August 2012 Essam signed for Luton Town on a month-long loan, later extended for a second month.[15][16] He returned to Gillingham on 2 November after making nine appearances for Luton, and was swiftly made available on a free transfer by Gillingham manager, Martin Allen.
Crawley Town
On 23 January 2013, Essam signed for Crawley Town of Football League One on a free transfer, with Gillingham retaining an interest by inserting a sell-on clause into the contract.[17] In November 2013, Essam joined Conference Premier side Dartford on a one-month loan deal.[18] Shortly into the 2013–14 season, he was released.[19]
Dover Athletic
On 1 September 2014, Essam signed for Dover Athletic, on the same day as he was released by Crawley Town.[20]
Leyton Orient
On 27 July 2015, it was announced that Essam signed for Football League Two side Leyton Orient on a one-year contract following a successful trial, despite Orient having not agreed to a transfer fee with Dover.[21][22] A transfer fee was agreed between the sides the following week.[22]
In March 2016, he returned to Dover Athletic on loan until the end of the season.[23]
In May 2016, he was released from Leyton Orient when it was announced that he would not be retained when his contract expired.[24]
Eastleigh
On 14 June 2016, Essam joined National League side Eastleigh on a one-year deal.[25] After only making five appearances in the space of a month, Essam joined Woking on a 93-day loan.[26] Two days later, Essam made his Woking debut in a 1–1 draw against Guiseley, playing the full 90 minutes.[27] However, just after a month into his loan spell with Woking, Essam was recalled by Eastleigh to cover an injury crisis.[28] After a short spell back at Eastleigh, Essam once again left the club on loan, this time returning to Dover Athletic on a deal for the remainder of the campaign.[29] Following a successful loan spell back at Dover, it was announced that Essam would leave Eastleigh in June 2017 upon the expiry of his current deal.[30]
Dover Athletic
On 20 June 2017, Essam joined Dover Athletic, returning to the Whites on a two-year deal.[31] He made his debut on the opening day in a 1–0 away victory to Hartlepool United.[32]
In November 2018, he joined Concord Rangers on loan until the end of the season.[33]
Hemel Hempstead Town
Essam joined National League South team Hemel Hempstead Town in the summer of 2019.[34]
Dartford
On 16 August 2020, Essam was announced to have joined Dartford.[35]
On 26 May 2023, Essam announced that he had left Dartford.[36]
Faversham Town
On 22 June 2023, Essam joined SCEFL Premier Division side Faversham Town.[37] His departure from the club was announced in June 2024.[38]
In October 2024, Essam returned to Faversham Town on a one-match basis, featuring in an FA Vase victory over British Airways.[39]
