James Bessey-Saldanha

DOB: 18th February 1996

Position: Winger

Season of first appearance: 2021/22

Season of last appearance: 2024/25

Full Appearances: 68

Substitute: 29

Goals: 12

Also played for:

Oadby Town, Harborough Town, Leicester Nirvana, Bearsted, Sevenoaks Town, Sheppey United, Sittingbourne

Player Profile:

Winger originally from Leicestershire who, at the age of nine, was scouted to train with Leicester City's Development Centre.

He played for Oadby Town, Harborough Town and Leicester Nirvana in the United Counties League.

After moving to Kent, James had spells at Bearsted, where he was a prolific scorer, and Sevenoaks Town.

James signed for Margate in May 2021. Manager Jay Saunders said: "James is a quick, tricky player who will cause opposition problems and I think our fans will really take to him at Hartsdown Park."

James scored his first goal for the club in a 4-2 home win over Leatherhead on 11.9.21. He scored twice in a 5-0 win over Cray Valley in the Kent Senior Cup at Hartsdown on 30.11.21.

He made 38 appearances, plus ten as sub, and scored seven goals during the season.

James stayed at Hartsdown for 2022-23 and made 22 appearances, plus nine as sub, scoring three goals.

Due to a lack of game time, in March 2023 James was dual registered with SCEFL side Bearsted.

In 2023-24, James played for Isthmian South East side Sheppey United. He scored Sheppey's goal in their televised 4-1 FA Cup First Round defeat at home to Walsall on 3.11.23.

James returned to Margate for 2024-25. He scored twice in Margate's 3-1 FA Cup replay win at Hayes & Yeading on 3.9.24. However, after two goals in 18 appearances (including ten as sub), James couldn't secure a regular place in the starting XI and left Hartsdown in October. He signed for Isthmian South Eastern Division rivals Sittingbourne shortly after, moving on to another team in the same division, Sevenoaks Town, in February 2025.

James has a degree in zoology.