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.
@dorking-eagle That’ll be good for the footage , always annoying seeing the side of the Stonegate when watching stuff back
Ebbsfleet United new stadium proposal rejected by UK government
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The UK government has refused plans for a major regeneration scheme centred around a new 8,000-capacity stadium for Ebbsfleet United, citing environmental and economic concerns, per the BBC.
The proposed development around the club's current Stonebridge Road home included 3,500 homes, a new football stadium, hotel, retail and leisure space, community facilities and significant road improvements.
Although Gravesham Borough Council approved the plans in 2024, ministers have now overturned that decision following a detailed review.
In its decision letter, the government raised concerns over the loss of Robins Wharf, the potential impact on around 650 existing jobs and whether the scheme could realistically be delivered given that much of the land is not owned by the applicant.
A key factor was the site's proximity to a nearby lead refinery, with ministers accepting evidence that future residents and visitors could be exposed to harmful levels of lead contamination in the air and soil.
The government concluded that there were “unacceptable risks” and said no credible mitigation strategy had been presented, ultimately deciding that the adverse impacts outweighed the benefits of delivering new housing, employment opportunities and a replacement stadium.
Ebbsfleet United chief executive Damian Irvine described the decision as “very disappointing”, while Gravesham Borough Council said it was not yet in a position to comment.

"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
For 26/27, the league has issued a directive regarding U14 attendance which states:
Children aged 13 and under must not enter the ground unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
Under 14 tickets must be purchased by an adult
The league cites rationale regarding safeguarding, crowd safety, and licensing & compliance for the decision with the aim to protect children, support clubs and ensure a safe matchday environment.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
For 26/27, the league has issued a directive regarding U14 attendance which states:
Children aged 13 and under must not enter the ground unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
Under 14 tickets must be purchased by an adult
The league cites rationale regarding safeguarding, crowd safety, and licensing & compliance for the decision with the aim to protect children, support clubs and ensure a safe matchday environment.
They were operating this in the EFL last season. I was at the ticket office for the relegation decider on the last day of the season, when a young lad said 13 when asked his age and was told he couldn't have a ticket unless he was with a responsible adult. Crawley also operated a similar policy the previous season as we had an issue with under 14s causing a problem (older friends were basically persuading them to take in and throw flares, as under 14s can't be searched and used to get in free ).
Last season a couple of my son's teenage friends had to go in with me at Maidenhead away because they had (still have!) a rule that U16s cannot go in without an over 18. I don't think it is so much to do with pyro, more to do with large groups of teens being difficult to control because stewards are limited to what they can do when they behave in an unruly way.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Spong has signed for Farnham
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Ebbsfleet United have been suspended and won't be able to fulfill their first 3 league games...
We are not due to face Ebbsfleet until late November.
They owe money to HMRC as I understand it.
Also their ground proposal just fell through, which might not help as I think the new owners were depending on that to make their takeover viable?
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
I have given this thread a new title, as it's a handy place to discuss all general news around the division (and the NL)
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
@dorking-eagle Saw that, disappointed we didn’t seem to be in for him
Should be a decent replacement for Brad Dologhan
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2048498z6zo
Walton and Hersham in a spot of bother it sounds like
Jack Young has joined Spennymoor Town in the NLN