Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
Getting to that time of year where we can start to see the teams we will be facing next season. Obviously we don't know what league we will be in yet but we can see the confirmed teams so far for both.
NLS Confirmed Teams for 26/27 so far:
Dagenham & Redbridge
AFC Totton
Tonbridge Angels
Horsham
Slough Town
Hampton & Richmond Borough
Farnborough
Walton & Hersham (Southern Prem winners)
Folkestone Invicta (Isthmian Prem winners)
Truro City (Relegated from NL)
Braintree Town (Relegated from NL)*
Playoff places for both leagues are basically set as well, so we will see one of Gloucester, Farnham, Poole, Berkhamstead or Sholing from the Southern, and one of Aveley, Billericay, Brentwood, Chatham or Dartford from the Isthmian.
Will be interesting to see what league Gloucester go in if they win the Southern League playoffs. Recently have been in the NLN but they could switch with Braintree.
NL Confirmed Teams for 26/27 so far:
Hartlepool United
Woking
Tamworth
Wealdstone
Solihull Moors
Boston United
Altrincham
Yeovil Town
Gateshead
Sutton United
Aldershot Town
Eastleigh
Worthing likely to be added to this list, as well as either AFC Fylde or South Shields. Still not clear who will be coming down from League Two but Barrow and Harrogate Town are starting to get left behind.
W&H ground is really, really poor. Probably the worst in the league.
Also a nightmare to get to by public transport so book early on the coach for that one...
roof over the away end
Not a priority for me. Amplifying away fans noise would not help us. And given the actual days when it really pour during a game (I'm sure Tom has some stats 😉), is it really worth it?
I disagree.
Next season this club will have spent 6 of the last 8 seasons at Step 2. And in step 2, for 90% of games the space right behind that goal is for Dorking fans, not away ones (the approved roof only covers the centre section of that end, which is nearly always for our fans)
If you calculate the 'dry' capacity of the ground (ie under cover) then it is less than the average attendance, so on a wet day, 'floating' fans will choose somewhere else to go and watch a game, where they know they won't be soaked.
If we look at things ambitiously (we all dream of promotion) then by National League standards our ground, and in particular our away section is incredibly poor. Last time around Marc sunk thousands giving away fans free beers to try and make up for the poor standard of our away section. And whilst it kind of worked as a deflection tactic (comments were usually about what a great bloke Marc is, rather than what a disgraceful away section we had). However it was totally embarrassing the absolute soaking that Oldham fans got on the open away end.
The club has brought in hundreds of thousands in shares and bonds over the last couple of years, there is no good reason why the fairly modest roof that has been approved at that end cannot be provided.
With our away support being frequently segregated nowadays, I am quick to criticise some poor away sections in this division, I even went in the home end at Maidstone last season rather than have to bag a standing spot there (and then not move for 3+ hours), the sardines at Worthing and so on, well to be honest our away section is no better than those places, and I do believe firmly in treating people how you would want to be treated yourself.
We can, and should do better.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
@dorking-eagle Fair points.
If it's relatively cheap to do, of course. Although the real complaint from away fans is the terrible view at that end due to shallow terrace. Something to fix that (even perhaps some pre-fab metal steps over the top perhaps) would be great...
