Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
These are the only two players that I can think of in recent years who have left the club and "played higher".
In every other case, I can think of any player that leaves the club either moves sideways to the same league or drops down a league when they leave the club. Even Briggs could only manage to move sideways to Salisbury and has found starting minutes difficult to come by. The likes of Jack Jebb despite his arrogance about being different gravy and league 1 level, is now a regular in the league below and lets face it that is his level now.
Haydn Hollis had a terrible time at the club, was truly awful at CB and we were glad to see him go. But somehow he has forged a career at the division above for a Tamworth side that looks to be safe and establishing itself in the national league premier.
Question: Why did it go so wrong for Hollis at the club despite him clearly being a national league Premier CB?
Dom Plank on the other hand did step up to Wolves academy when leaving the club, and we were sad to see him go, but was quickly released and has not progressed. He is currently at Hearts "B" team. Hardly a step up and as he approaches 20 years old in November, has still not played any senior football. If he was to leave Hearts "B" its a racing certainty that he would come back to Surrey and would struggle to find a club even at National League South level.
Question: Would we take him back when his contract at Hearts "B" ends? Or has he just not fulfilled his potential to become a professional as Hearts "B" is hardly living the dream for a lad from Cranleigh?
Disagree that Hollis was awful, he was generally pretty decent for us from a defensive point of view. He was MOTM in some important games away at York and in the 4-1 Chesterfield win at Meadowbank. The reason he didn't quite fit was that he is not a ball playing centre back so just didn't suit how we play. Tamworth play a back 4 and go long which suits his general game a lot more. He just doesn't have the pace to play left of a back 3.
As you say, I don't see Dom Plank coming back and immediately playing Step 2 level. I think he would almost certainly go and play step 3 or 4 somewhere first.
You can probably add Oldaker, Beard, Barham and Brooking as players who left or went on to play at a higher level as well. Sam Howes (who we will see this weekend) was at Leyton Orient for the past couple of seasons as well.
Hollis was far from awful, he was just asked to play a role completely alien to him by the management team. A very solid 6 foot 5 or whatever CB being asked to play left of a back 3, high up the pitch and defend one on one out wide was always a recipe for disaster that for some reason they kept persisting with. Was always a reliable player there if you played to his strengths.
Disagree that Hollis was awful, he was generally pretty decent for us from a defensive point of view. He was MOTM in some important games away at York and in the 4-1 Chesterfield win at Meadowbank. The reason he didn't quite fit was that he is not a ball playing centre back so just didn't suit how we play. Tamworth play a back 4 and go long which suits his general game a lot more. He just doesn't have the pace to play left of a back 3.
As you say, I don't see Dom Plank coming back and immediately playing Step 2 level. I think he would almost certainly go and play step 3 or 4 somewhere first.
You can probably add Oldaker, Beard, Barham and Brooking as players who left or went on to play at a higher level as well. Sam Howes (who we will see this weekend) was at Leyton Orient for the past couple of seasons as well.
Out of those Oldaker is the only one to forge a consistent career at a higher level, proving to be a League 2 level CM.
Beard and Barham are back at NLS level.
Brooking got a contract at NLP level, but has not played for them and is out injured. It remains to be seen if he can forge a career at that level or ends up settling at a lower level.
Sam Howes was a bench warmer at Leyton O, and in the few appearances he made he was awful. So he has not established himself at a higher level. And now he is back at NLS with Dagenham I see.
The context is important on Hollis, he was asked to play a role he simply cannot do. In his comfort zone in a back 4 he can do a job higher...
Part of the reason Oldaker went to Chesterfield IIRC was that it was full time (when we weren't) and a girlfriend up north?
Hollis was alright, but the defence leaked goals like a sieve that second half of 23/24 and things deffo had to change here. Plus his home was up north, so wasn't really at home down here.
Beard left to be full time at Barnet, I think after that he went to Eastbourne as his dad was there as manager, but doing so dropped down a level to step 2 where he has remained
Brooking, there is loads of talent there but will he settle, we shall see.
No idea about Dom Plank, but football is a tough and highly competitive business I guess.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Hybrid non-league, which we are is a good safety net for good footballers who want the security of a career outside of football. I believe at the sort of level DW find themselves in, we can cherry pick the best local talent who want the best of both working worlds.
Very decent players like Prior, Gallagher, McManus, Briggs and McShane have been able to enjoy their football whilst still earning a good living outside of it, knowing they will have a stable income outside of football when the time comes to step back from playing.
The club will always be a stepping stone for many players, but there is also the potential to build a long and stable career with this club if the talent, commitment and application is there.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Part of the reason Oldaker went to Chesterfield IIRC was that it was full time (when we weren't) and a girlfriend up north?
Hollis was alright, but the defence leaked goals like a sieve that second half of 23/24 and things deffo had to change here. Plus his home was up north, so wasn't really at home down here.
Beard left to be full time at Barnet, I think after that he went to Eastbourne as his dad was there as manager, but doing so dropped down a level to step 2 where he has remained
Brooking, there is loads of talent there but will he settle, we shall see.
No idea about Dom Plank, but football is a tough and highly competitive business I guess.
As far as I remember, Oldaker left because MW wanted him to leave - off-the-field issues.
His girlfriend used to come to all the games at Meadowbank when he was here, so I'm not sure that was a problem.
As far as I remember, Oldaker left because MW wanted him to leave - off-the-field issues.
His girlfriend used to come to all the games at Meadowbank when he was here, so I'm not sure that was a problem.
Oldaker did not live the life for us. He admitted that when he joined Chesterfield, that he needed to be a lot fitter and was far more professional. He was excited about how much fitter he was for them, after being "dedicated". If you are a real fan you saw those interviews.
A part time environment did not suit the lad to be fair. Really happy that he has made it.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
