The Rise of Dorking Wanderers F.C.
By Joseph Keane
Dorking Wanderers Football Club is not a club most people out of Surrey would have heard of. However, Dorking Wanders was established in 1999 and has steadily climbed the non-league pyramid from park football to the National League in a short time.
The founding members Marc White (who is also their manager), Mark Lewington, Ian Davidson, Lee Spickett and Penny Gregg, brought the club to life and entered the fledgling team into the Crawley & District League in 1999, with their home ground at Big Field Brockham.
Dorking Wanders remained at Big Field Brockham until 2007, and after several promotions, they relocated to their current Westhumble home. This was a monumental project, which saw a huge off the field effort transform the once derelict site into a football ground.
The promotions continued after the club relocated, and this continued in 2015 when the club finished runners-up in the Sussex County League, securing promotion to the Ryman Division One South (Step 4). The 2015 season also saw the club progress further than ever before in the FA Cup. However, they eventually succumbed to a last-minute extra-time goal away to Biggleswade Town in a 2nd qualifying round replay.
The club marked their first year in the Ryman Division One South by finishing runners-up and losing out in the playoffs; however, they went one better in 2016-17 when they again finished runners-up (only on goal difference) and secured promotion via the playoffs following victories over Hastings United and Corinthian-Casuals.
The 2017-18 season saw Dorking Wanderers line up in the Bostik Premier League (Step 3) for the first time in their history, which coincided with the building of and the future move to the newly constructed, multi-million-pound Meadowbank Stadium development in the heart of Dorking Town Centre.
In 2018-19 Dorking Wanderers kicked off the new season in their brand-new stadium in Meadowbank Park. After a mixed start to the season, mainly due to several injuries to key players, the Wanderers found their form from December onwards and lost only one league game in 2019. The team went on to win the Bostik Premier League by 22 points, meaning that they were playing in the National League South (Step 2) for the first time in their history. This fantastic achievement was made even more special since it coincided with the club's 20th anniversary.
Events off the field would determine the 2019 - 20 season outcome, with the Covid-19 Pandemic bringing all sports in the UK to an abrupt halt. In the National League South, Dorking Wanders would finish the shortened season in 7th. However, 7th place secured a playoff position for the team, and the playoffs finally took place following the lockdown in July 2020. Wanderers won their opening game at Bath City 2-1; however, they went out in the semi-final following a 3-2 defeat to eventual playoff victors Weymouth FC.
However, in 2022 Dorking Wanders finished in 2nd place in the National league south, which was good enough for the playoff. On 22/05/2022, Dorking won the playoff final vs Ebbsfleet United, ending 3-2. This means that for the 22/23 season, they will now be in the national league (Step 1).
This is the first time in their short history that Dorking Wanders have been in the national league.
Dorking Wanders honours include Isthmian League - Premier Division champions: 2018–19, Southern Combination - Division Three champions: 2010–11, West Sussex League - Premier Division champions: 2006–07, Division Two North champions: 2003–04, Division Four North champions: 2000–01 and Surrey Senior Cup - Winners: 2021–22.
Some of the well-known players for Dorking wanders would include Dan Gallagher and Alfie Rutherford. Dan Gallagher is the brother of the Chelsea midfielder Connor Gallagher. Dan Gallagher joined Dorking from leatherhead FC and now is an integral part of their midfield. Alfie Rutherford was this season’s top goal scorer with 32 goals in 37 appearances. Alfie is a star of the future and fan favourite and was signed from Havant & Waterlooville. Despite being only 23, Alfie has a wealth of experience in the national south league.
Only time will tell if Dorking Wanderers will be able to continue their upwards trajectory, but if their short history is anything to go by.. it will be a matter of when, and not if.
