The reason for it is that an annual beano trip is in the clubs DNA, take away that Crazy Gang spirit and we are just another 6th tier commuter belt football club. 

If necessary there are more than enough youngsters at the club to fill any gaps tomorrow.

I wonder if there will be any trialists playing for Dorking tomorrow? When I went to see Horsham last Saturday, there were about 4-5 trialists, although Dom said he did not expect to sign anyone (Nial McManus was not in squad though).

I normally expect to see quite a few fringe players in early season friendlies, and something I don't mind, as you get to see different players.

I see Patrick Casey is a free agent ahead of us facing Charlton on Saturday. After his record last season, which was unbelievable and never seen anything like it, it will be interesting to see where he ends up.

Perhaps he is getting offered more elsewhere (Step 5) but it looks like legend status could have been achieved at Dorking, and he has turned it down for a little bit more money? Speculation of course. 

@dorking-eagle It isn't the concept of a trip I am questionining, it was more the choice of destination and the timing of the game in the schedule. I think it would have worked better as the opening pre-season game or at the very least in a weekend where there was no subsequent midweek game.

Because you have to book flights, hotel, etc you are fairly limited with how many players you can bring, which means players have to play more minutes than would be ideal. Especially with how many unavailable players we have. Also, can you really do a squad jolly when half of the squad doesn't make the trip?

Tomorrow night will be very tough facing a Chatham side who I believe are actually full time in the league below and one of the favourites for the Isthmian Prem title.

Don't disagree with much of that if you look at it seriously, however it was still a fantastic trip though, Marc took his whole family, I saw fans all over the place around the island too, and with these it's more about having a brilliant adventure trip and worry about the finer details later. 

As for Chatham, they have ambitious owners who have given their ground a huge facelift and do want to get up to NLS at the very least. Marc's interviews have always stressed that players won't be pushed too hard in pre season this year as we double down on not having the usual injury crisis.

@luke I was told a month or so back by someone at the club that he was asking for too much money. I’m sure someone mentioned it on here too. A shame as I’d love to see him back

Not sure why we were in grey shirts tonight? 

Competitive game, they looked a decent outfit  and I’m sure they’ll challenge in their league for promotion. Thought we looked good 1st half and was nice to see Dennon back. Second half with the subs , didn’t really get going 

I hope there was no issues when Dennon went off. Marc did say in the pre match that Denon would only play 30 mins

The gantry is excellent by the,way, I was lucky enough to be shown it and it is really good up there, plus there is a little bit of storage space in it too. Well done to all concerned.

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Another pic

It's excellent up there Ade, I was concerned when I saw in mid-construction and it looked a bit basic but it's really well done, there are handrails and all mod cons, and as a happy bit of good fortune there is also a bit of storage space on a mid level too 👍 

Well worth listening to the end section of Marc's PRE match interview too - he talks positively about the fact we still do have permission to erect a bit of a roof at the away end (as part of the late-2022 planning), and that he is always looking for ways to improve the ground.

I know it was only a pre-season game but I feel that to make people pay to watch that was quite poor. Very disjointed and a dull watch from half time onwards.

It was so cheap I can't complain, you can't go to the cinema to watch a film for £6 these days, and to be honest it was as much about getting back to catching up with friends, collecting my S/T cards and getting our new shirts as anything else.

The Charlton game is also the same pricing, and whilst it might 'only' be their U21s rather than 1st team that should be a good one at a still very good price.

Posted by: @gary-munnery

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Not sure why we were in grey shirts tonight? 

Competitive game, they looked a decent outfit  and I’m sure they’ll challenge in their league for promotion. Thought we looked good 1st half and was nice to see Dennon back. Second half with the subs , didn’t really get going 

Yes felt game got rather disjointed after about 35 minutes with all the substitutes. Good to see all the new signings, some Academy kids,and Annersley and Pybus get some minutes. Few chances from either side first half and felt Nikaj needed more support up front on his own. Chatham better side second half as made less changes. Barrett only player to pay full 90. Thought beer was a bit expensive, know it was subsided last season but £6.25 a pint was a bit steep.

Was going to Lewes, but put off by the performance and lack of parking, and now have other commitments. Good supply of new kit available, and pleased to be able to get the away kit in my size.

The is a car park literally right next to the ground (right by the turnstiles) but you do need to get there early and it isn't free, in fact I don't think there is a single bit of free on street parking anywhere in the whole town of Lewes

By the way the ref (Dele - good friend of the club for games like this) was very generous to us with a couple of decisions last night, I guess he was officiating in the spirit of a friendly but if I was a Chatham fan I would be have been scratching my head more than once!