Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
What we have learned so far:
- Take Profit Trader, a leading trading education and funding business have made an investment in DWFC (bought shares);
- The consortium will be represented in the UK by Daryl Cumberland, who will work closely with the club’s Senior Committee;
- Entrepreneur James Sixsmith, a former professional ice hockey player is founder and CEO of Take Profit Trader.
Daryl was at the Weston away game on the last day of the regular season, and these are apparently serious investors, who are keen on improving stadium infrastructure amongst their plans.
Can anyone shed any further light on the scale of their plans, their strategy or investment priorities at the club? Clubs at this level can be a money pit if you aren't careful!
Obviously the club has genuine ambitions to reach the EFL one day, there are a lot of stages to achieve such a big achievement as that, on and off the field. We've seen Crawley, Sutton United and now Bromley do that over recent years, but it takes a huge effort to do.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
I assume we'll get a weekly update from Marc at some point soon where he can shed some more light
That would be good. Or even just if the ownership group gets an update of sorts.
We've had big investments before, Kyle and Whitters for example, but I get the feeling this one could be game changing from a strategic investment way, in a similar way that OLBG is really helping the club significantly with the huge day to day costs involved in being ambitious.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
I will be interested to know the size of the investment. Is it significant (i.e. more than 10%, or less than this). Also will Daryl Cumberland become a director? We will have to wait and see if more information is forthcoming.
I also note that the company accounts need to be sent to Companies House by 26 May. The confirmation statement of shareholders is already late and should have been sent by 11 April. This is normally a short statement confirming ownership (Crawley Town's is 5 pages), but with so many shareholders, Dorking's last year ran to 38 pages! Probably why late.
I also note that the company accounts need to be sent to Companies House by 26 May. The confirmation statement of shareholders is already late and should have been sent by 11 April. This is normally a short statement confirming ownership (Crawley Town's is 5 pages), but with so many shareholders, Dorking's last year ran to 38 pages!
Just managed to find that online, wierdly myself and my wife are not on there....odd.
We don't have a huge shareholding each (far from it) but we really should be on there 😔
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
I think the new investors are going to be a big help to the club. Daryl was also at Torquay and has been coming for a weeks now anyway. He has a long background in and around the Horsham area as well as business in the States, so he alerted James to the opportunity and potential at Dorking. (Apparently James turned down a small stake at Liverpool for a meatier one at Dorking!).
Hopefully we will get an update soon, but I understand that there are a lot of conversations going on around improvements to the ground, some of which we may see in time for next season. They seem to be in it for the long term, which is great, and will hopefully help to get the ground fully up to NL standard and beyond when we have the chance.
Hopefully they will invest in the squad too. If going to have a NL standard ground, need a NL standard squad which we don't have at moment.
Shareholders ('owners') should have received a video update, which very briefly touches on it. I will say no more.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Just had a DWFC fundraising email, which says the club is working hard to get the following in place for 26/27 season:
Ground improvements to support media coverage, food and beverage provision, spectator viewing and more.
This is encouraging to read. It's all too easy to spend on the playing side of the club, however it is great to see that spectator improvements are in the pipeline!
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Just had a DWFC fundraising email, which says the club is working hard to get the following in place for 26/27 season:
Ground improvements to support media coverage, food and beverage provision, spectator viewing and more.
This is encouraging to read. It's all too easy to spend on the playing side of the club, however it is great to see that spectator improvements are in the pipeline!
Yes, but its important to get the balance right. Last season Crawley spent a lot behind the scenes, but not enough on experienced players and nearly got relegated.
@crawleysth The ground is uncovered on two sides, there is not enough cover for everyone when it rains. We haven't got a tv gantry.
There's no big stands going in, but even small incremental improvements will be appreciated.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Hopefully they’ll stop people standing in front of the Bank end and make other areas of the ground more appealing to go to. Definitely need some kind of coverings and drink outlet on the dugout side corner
I tend to stand along the sides mainly, better view. But once the heavens open you have no choice but to move over into the Bank, Wingate and Finchley in the FA Cup this seasons springs to mind🤣
Barriers all along that touchline (a continuation of the ones behind the goal) would fix that, but you can bet someone would complain their kid couldn't see if they can't stand at the front.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Somebody once suggested that if it was possible to putt the dugouts on the other side of the ground it would free up a lot of additional viewing space - might need them to sunk down like old fashioned dugouts but a nice idea if it could be done.
