Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
A first trip to Essex this season as we face newly promoted Billericay Town this Saturday. The Blues won promotion through the Isthmian Prem playoffs last season and have made a solid start back at step 2, currently sitting 13th with 7 points.
No fitness update yet, so no news on the injury that forced Camp off late against Truro. Muitt, Taylor, Gallagher and Vincent remain mid-long term absentees. Josh Laqeretabua has returned to Charlton, while Femi Ilesanmi has joined the club.
Predictions:
Billericay 1-2 Dorking (Nikaj, Forster)
1,139 att.
Morris
Philpot Annesley Sayers
Forster Pybus Pinchard Lewis
Barrett
Nikaj Rutherford
Subs: Francomb, Ilesanmi, Page, Tauta-Caballero, McShane, Wood, Rogalski
No pubs in sensible walking distance of the ground, but the ground itself has a large clubhouse.
The ground was massively improved by the owner of 6 or 7 years ago called Glen Tamplin. He was a right character - some say a bit of a shady person, but apparently after a near death experience he turned to Jesus.
He then massively did up the ground with stands on all four sides, an artificial pitch (it slopes side to side, but not as bad as it did before when it was real grass!) and a very swanky clubhouse with VIP balcony.
Look out for an 'interesting' mural on the back of one of the stands (see link below) - it is a depiction of one of Tamplin's dreams (some say drug induced)) where Billericay goes to Wembley! It even features him in bed with his wife (presumably having the dream!)
He was very certain of his born again Christian faith, and used to have people from the church he went to as pastors at games if you ever wanted to chat about religion.
He used to have a Ferrari totally 'wrapped' in Billericay FC colours and logos - quire a sight!
Anyway after a few years of their rapid transformation, he left Billericay and bought Romford FC, and made that club a lot more colourful too! A bit of controversy there when he made himself manager and played his 16 year old son, causing a walk out of several players!
Anyway back to Billericay - keep an eye out in the clubhouse for some excellent displays of 1970's memorabilia from when the club DID get to Wembley and win!
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Will pop into the club house tomorrow, looks good.
I listened to a podcast with Tamplin fairly recently, had a massive cocaine addiction and nearly died a few times
Some pics
(incidentally, the ship on their club badge is the Mayflower, the 'Pilgrim Fathers' ship that sailed to America, and included one William Mullins of West Street, Dorking)
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"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
@gary-munnery Last I heard of Glenn Tamplin was when Herts Police issued a wanted post for him about 3 years ago🤣
