|
Post by jdl on May 1, 2022 13:24:50 GMT
"Being non league isn’t what bothers me the most. It’s the lack of hope." Poor bastards! They are in for a few surprises - good and bad.
|
|
|
Post by jdl on May 1, 2022 13:31:56 GMT
Don't think bitter Darts deserve to go up.. hope it is Dorking or Eastbourne I'd prefer it to be Eastbourne, but their recent form doesn't give me hope. Although, it's basically a series of cup finals, so anything can happen. If I was a Dorking fan, I'd not be feeling that confident, especially after yesterday (unless they were resting players for the playoffs?). Just ask Fleet what it's like to be the favourites in the playoffs!
|
|
|
Post by jdl on May 1, 2022 13:42:14 GMT
The other thing about Dorking is the old 'sugar daddy' question - how long will the money last?
You either go up, consolidate, and survive, or the money runs out and you crash and burn. We've seen both - Salford and Forest Green doing OK (but still heavily reliant on their sugar daddies, especially Salford) - but the Margates, Billericays, Dovers and many others are left licking their wounds.
Unless White has really deep pockets, I can't see Dorking lasting long.
|
|
|
Post by sword65 on May 1, 2022 14:25:49 GMT
The season we folded we were supposed to be away to Scunthorpe in the first game,with their relegation it could be fate that we get them away first game. I might even put a £1 on it.
|
|
|
Post by Stonethecrow on May 1, 2022 14:28:39 GMT
jdl, such a cynic ! Marc White has supported/sponsored Dorking Wanderers for 20 years, about twice as long as our owners. Why is that going to change in a hurry ?
|
|
|
Post by sword65 on May 1, 2022 14:30:46 GMT
I would prefer Eastbourne to go up as i do like a day by the seaside plus Eastbournes ground is better for viewing the game. I would not begrudge Dorking going up as are the most deserved but we all know that means nothing in the play offs.
|
|
|
Post by nws on May 1, 2022 14:33:54 GMT
I'm sure I read somewhere that they have a lot of local sponsors so not sure how relevant the sugar daddy thing is
|
|
|
Post by daveu on May 1, 2022 15:21:03 GMT
I'm sure I read somewhere that they have a lot of local sponsors so not sure how relevant the sugar daddy thing is And the ground is owned by Surrey FA so that's not going anywhere.
|
|
|
Post by jdl on May 1, 2022 15:50:34 GMT
I'm sure I read somewhere that they have a lot of local sponsors so not sure how relevant the sugar daddy thing is And the ground is owned by Surrey FA so that's not going anywhere. They certainly can't sell it to fund a new ground! And, realistically, they are going to need a new ground. The existing ground might (just) meet the grading, but it's hardly viable. And improving it is difficult, as it's not their ground, and any 'investment' can't be recovered when they move.
|
|
|
Post by jdl on May 1, 2022 16:48:42 GMT
jdl, such a cynic ! Marc White has supported/sponsored Dorking Wanderers for 20 years, about twice as long as our owners. Why is that going to change in a hurry ? Cynic indeed - but in the original meaning: someone who takes nothing for granted - not in the modern, negative connotation. I wasn't implying that White would give up, just that he might run out of money, or simply might not be able to afford (or raise the money for) the NL and above. Some 'suger daddies' are sincere fans and are in it for the long-run, but stuff happens. Look at North Ferriby, for instance. He's done amazingly well with Dorking, but it's all been non-league so far, and we all know how different the NL is. Can Dorking attract big enough gates to afford life in the NL? They get decent crowds at Meadowbank these days, but they only used to get a few hundred in pre-NS days. As for comparisons with our owners, it's really not the same thing. Terry and Oliver 'just' put the money up to get the ground built (and improved), they don't fund the day-to-day running of the club. White (and his investors), on the other hand, funds the whole shebang - transfer fees, wages, the lot. If we can't make ends meet in the NL, we come back down and carry on - we still have the club. If Dorking can't pay their way in the NL, White has to find the money, or it's all over - just like the previous Dorking clubs.
|
|
|
Post by Dan on May 1, 2022 17:14:38 GMT
Except, Dorking's sponsors seem quite happy to cover the revenue deficit. According to reports their wage bill is significantly higher than Stones. Affordability depends in the owners/sponsors being willing and able to carry on. Marc White def gives the impression of it being a labour of love. No idea how they will manage National League stadium requirements but I wouldn't write them off. But before all that they have the joy of the play-offs.
|
|
|
Post by Dan on May 1, 2022 19:24:08 GMT
Who do we want to join us in the National League from the play-offs ?
Stones Facebook Group poll
Dorking. 120 votes Eastbourne. 26 votes Ebbsfleet. 7 votes
I havnt voted but agree with the above.
|
|
|
Post by steveh21 on May 1, 2022 20:15:43 GMT
The season we folded we were supposed to be away to Scunthorpe in the first game,with their relegation it could be fate that we get them away first game. I might even put a £1 on it. I have a copy of the programme from that Scunthorpe away game that never happened. Our team sheet on the back of the programme is blank as we did not have 11 players signed when programme was printed.
|
|
|
Post by Benny on May 2, 2022 4:36:05 GMT
I’ve been wondering about how to survive and prosper in the National League this time around. Bromley and Sutton are two similar sized clubs who used to live with us at a lower level and could be role models. What did they do differently? Last time we clung to a part time structure too long and switched too late. Is it about behind the scenes infrastructure and fitness training that costs money? This time there are even more big ex league teams than ever, including some major subsidising of wages. Our ground capacity was only 3000, but may still need future consideration. Nobody imagines we are going to take this league by storm, but it would be nice not to be perennial strugglers. It’s also time for the local business community to step forward.
|
|
|
Post by Tony G on May 2, 2022 6:38:57 GMT
I’ve been wondering about how to survive and prosper in the National League this time around. Bromley and Sutton are two similar sized clubs who used to live with us at a lower level and could be role models. What did they do differently? Last time we clung to a part time structure too long and switched too late. Is it about behind the scenes infrastructure and fitness training that costs money? This time there are even more big ex league teams than ever, including some major subsidising of wages. Our ground capacity was only 3000, but may still need future consideration. Nobody imagines we are going to take this league by storm, but it would be nice not to be perennial strugglers. It’s also time for the local business community to step forward. Some ideas Sutton had a great cup run. Played Arsenal and Leeds. Financed them for a few years Now our season is done early get any new players and deals sorted early. A top rated striker is a must early on which most people have been craving for for years. Take some pressure of Jack if he stays.
|
|