WHITE’S KUHL ON LANDING HIS NO.1 TARGET

MARC WHITE admits he had to be patient in order to add Aaron Kuhl to his Dorking Wanderers ranks – before then re-signing promotion hero Jason Prior. Kuhl – once a £1 million target for Patrick Viera in the Manchester City academy set-up – joined the National League Wands on a long-term deal this week from Slough Town.

The 27-year-old, son of former Birmingham, Portsmouth and Derby County stalwart Martin, came through the academy at Reading and signed a professional contact with the Royals in December 2013. He went on to make several first team appearances for the club, including loan spells at Dundee United and Boreham Wood, and represented England at U19 and U20 level before a serious MCL injury curtailed his professional career.

Kuhl joined National

League South side Slough

Town in 2019 and helped the Rebels achieve a play-off place in the first season before being named Player’s Player of the Year in the next. “Aaron is someone we earmarked as able to be part of our new journey for this season,” Wands boss White said. “Having only been promoted in June of last year, we were unable to do the usual recruitment we would normally do. Aaron was someone on our shortlist of targets at that time, and we are delighted to finally get him on a long term deal. And there was more good news for Dorking fans with the return of Prior from Havant.

The ex-Wimbledon striker was pivotal in their Isthmian Premier title before last season’s National League South play-off glory. White said: “We were devastated when we lost Jason in the close season, it all happened quite quickly and in the interim period it’s been clear both parties have missed each other.’ “It goes without saying this is massive news for the football club. This is a player of ‘legend’ status who is still in his prime, and has achieved a huge amount with the club and has been pivotal in our success and upward trajectory.”