Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
I usually drink at the bar at the main stand, but I thought I would check this bar out last night. As I expected, they had only lager on the 4 pumps including the average Spitfire. I believe they had bottles/cans but as they are more expensive and may not be cold, so went back to the main Fanzone, which has better food options (although new Pizza option now at Bank) and toilet facilities plus a much better choice of beer (I prefer Bitter, Pale Ale or Guinness myself). It is strange, away fans actually have better facilities and beer choice than those who decide to drink at the Bank. I tend to drink at the Lounge for the sell out matches again due to the better beer selection, although I don't know if the £5 pint offer applies there too. I also notice that if you decide to be careful and drink 0% Guinness if you are driving, you actually get penalised twice! It is 25p more expensive than a pint and you get 25% less, so I tend to stick to the draft pint.
You never know what you’re going to get with the Bar at the Bank. Sometimes it’s open with the large area, sometimes it’s just the little cart pushed into the corner. Not a great selection but by the looks of it most people tend to buy either Moretti or Spitfire.
I didn’t go in there last night, I haven’t bothered buying any alcohol since Boxing Day- actually enjoy the football with a tea more at the moment 😂.
I think if Dorking do go up, the Bank Bar will become more heavily used due to larger away followings and segregation, like last time we were in the NL. Hopefully they can have a larger bar again,with more selection and the burger grill. The pizza place was only till the end of the season I heard- seemed popular last night.
Yeah, Moretti or Spitfire is all they usually sell, hence why i don't go there. As you say, I would rather have a tea 🤣
Won't use the bar at the bank, as I refuse to pay a fiver for a can of Guinness.
I'll have a Guinness
I mean it's really only meant to be an overflow bar or a dedicated fan zone for home fans if the away following is very large (which is rare). It is much better than nothing and better than pretty much anything other clubs have at this level.
Only thing I think the ground is missing is some sort of food option on the north side. Maybe a few more toilets as well.
It is much better than nothing and better than pretty much anything other clubs have at this level.
Only thing I think the ground is missing is some sort of food option on the north side. Maybe a few more toilets as well.
I would disagree with that to be honest, numerous grounds have extra bars (sheds) strategically around the ground, I'm not going to get pedantic and rattle them all off but Eastbourne, Farnborough, Havant, Bath, Horsham etc - it is not uncommon for grounds where the main facilities are centred in one place to then have at least one 'satellite' bar.
I'm not an expert on Guinness, however is it a bit of a 'specialist' item where the keg has to be stored for some time so that it can settle properly for optimum quality when it is poured? If so it might not be suitable for the Bar at the Bank which is essentially a satellite bar and doesn't get enough guinness sales (I don't know the actual answer, I am just guessing the likely situation)
In terms of what the ground is missing overall, a decent sized clubhouse is the main thing. The Lounge is relatively small for the level, but of course the ground was planned for step 5/6 football when the architects were designing it on paper (for the old DFC). Look at the absolute barn of a clubhouse at Bognor in comparison - that can operate as an evening venue with professional entertainment.
I think the North side (or even the north west corner) would benefit from some sort of mobile food and drink wagon - maybe a horse box on wheels like at Horsham, because if we go up to the NL and regularly get £2k+ crowds I can't imagine people will want to trek round the ground from the furthest points.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
I think that if the operating licence is obtained, we might more easily to be able to make some changes to the offerings and options.
Of course the ultimate goal of owning the ground could mean major changes in terms of layout, structures, viewing facilities etc but that will take some time.
For now, I guess it's just small things and we should all be really open about suggestions as I'm sure they will be listened to.
A separate club shop where you can actually look at items rather than ask at the burger bar would be a big improvement. Horsham now have a walk in shop 3 x the size of the burger bar behind their main stand. I would expect they sell much more merchandise at home games than we do.
I think @Dorking Eagle you are right about the Guinness and the same would go for real ale / IPA options - the sales are not strong enough to warrant getting hold of and keeping a barrel. I am not a fan of Shepherd Neame, who the club are committed to some extent at the moment. I think pizzas in the Bank Bar is a good addition, but the beer offering not great. For a short term option, I would suggest getting in some 30 litre poly kegs, preferably from a local supplier (Drop Kick, Surrey Hills), but with some different beers, and see what sells.
If we do go up, I agree we would need something on the north/west side, a mobile food hut and maybe just a large fridge with someone selling cans out of it - they have something similar at St Albans and it does a job.
Should be big crowds for Hemel (non league day), Bath (last home game) and Worthing (Easter - huge) so potential to do lots of f&b
Feeling optimistic that good things are around the corner. People are doing everything in their power to make this club bigger and better and that can only ever be positive.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
A separate club shop where you can actually look at items rather than ask at the burger bar would be a big improvement. Horsham now have a walk in shop 3 x the size of the burger bar behind their main stand. I would expect they sell much more merchandise at home games than we do.
Agree with this, currently if anyone wants to buy merch you have to eye up what you want from afar, queue up and then hastily pay at the burger bar, as you cant exactly take your time and browse any items, not wanting to hold up people behind waiting. Its nice when sometimes the shirts are on sale opposite the turnstiles. But some form of shop in future must be on the agenda.
Agree on the need for a proper shop; even if a pop up. And can confirm that the pizzas at the Bank Bar are excellent! A nice alternative to burgers etc; hope it proves profitable: might help if it was accessible to both sets of fans - in the Fanzone busy but low risk fixtures.
