Dorking taking the White path
WANDERERS GOING PLACES
FA CUP fever is sweeping through the sleepy Surrey stockbroker-belt market town of Dorking.
And Marc White can barely believe the transformation at Dorking Wanderers since he formed a park football club with mates 22 years ago. After an astonishing 12 promotions in 19 completed seasons, the team are homing in on the Football League in the Conference South.
And tomorrow founder, chairman and also manager White will lead his side into a fourth qualifying round tie against Hayes & Yeading at Meadowbank hoping to earn a debut crack at the firstround proper.
White has done it all, from washing the kit to hanging the nets and putting a rope around the pitch. And having managed the side from the days when a few friends chucked in a fiver each for the £50 pitch hire, he admits it might be time to think about some coaching badges.
The merry band started life in the Crawley & District League in Sussex, and have graduated through the West Sussex and Sussex County leagues.
And White left his job as a city advertising executive to start a marketing company, allowing himself more time with the club.
White said: “I have been the manager from day one as well as being a player back then, but I haven’t done any coaching badges. I honestly don’t know at what level I might need them.
“In business, I had a leadership role at a young age in advertising, and, being a football nut and a decent player as a lad, the two seemed to combine in the manager role.
“Being a football manager is 80 percent man-management and decision-making, and then I surround myself with a team of coaches, scouts and physios.
“A tremendous group of people got us here. I used to take my daughters along to wash the kit. I’ve used a rope that was donated to put around the pitch.
“Fans and local volunteers and businesses have been terrific – we have around 65 partners. There are now 58 teams from under-4s through the first team to walking football. And it has all been done without much of a plan, just dealt with what was in front of us.
“It has been bloody tough, insanely tough to get where we are. And last season we were top of the Conference South when it got cancelled. We would have had to go full-time had we gone up. A first appearance in the FA Cup first round would give us some recognition for what has happened here.”
Striker Jason Prior was Dorking’s first signing for money at £15,000 – one of only two. The non-League stalwart once had a three-week trial with Newcastle and saw his Football League dream shattered by injury after a move to AFC Wimbledon.
Prior said: “My FA Cup memories aren’t great. I have never got to the first round. My one time in the fourth qualifying round at Bognor, we lost 2-1 away at Wealdstone and I missed two penalties.”