Marc White is confident that new chief executive Jonathan Bines is the man that will turn Dorking Wanderers into a professional football club.
Founded in 1999, Wanderers have had a meteoric rise through the non-league pyramid but have struggled to make the final step – to the Football League.
Unlike most of their opponents in the National League, non-league’s top tier, the Mole Valley club are still part-time – training two day-times a week; Tuesdays and Thursdays.
They are also still putting the infrastructure in place off the field, including purchasing the freehold to their Meadowbank Stadium from Mole Valley District Council, to support a club of their now-lofty standing.
For a man known for his passion for baseball caps, White wears many hats as the club’s owner, chairman, and first team manager, and it has made for a challenging season.
The team is currently battling relegation on the pitch, but White thinks Bines’ long-term influence on off-field affairs will be extremely beneficial for the Meadowbank team.
“Our new chief executive is here. Jon. Our very first time ever,” White said. “He is exceptionally intelligent. He is f****** incredible. He is a full-time, voluntary employee.
“Due to the club’s trajectory—where we have seen so many promotions in such a short time—we always require off-field changes.
“We visit clubs around the nation and frequently observe how things ought to be done when touring. However, several of these teams have been in existence for a century and have participated in the Football League at some point.
“I wear many hats, which can be challenging at times. To move the club ahead, we needed someone who could bring energy and determination to the table. Jon is joining us to help us achieve our goal of becoming a professional football team. Jon is a gifted man who will win the hearts of all.
Additionally, White affirmed that Bines, who attended Saturday’s match against Solihull Moors, is not making a direct financial investment in the team.
Bines and about 1,500 other fans watched Wanderers come back from a goal down to salvage a point against Solihull Moors on Saturday.
Nevertheless, White was disappointed with the 1-1 draw at the end of regulation, not least because it saw Wanderers fall to the bottom of the standings. Charlie Carter and Jason Prior both had good chances in the second half.
White said, “It was an uncommon instance of two points lost and one point gained.” “We’ve made a number of excellent opportunities. I believed we were superior to the top five opponents once more.
“Their keeper kept them in it in the first half, and that’s his bread and butter—in the second half, Charlie Carter and Jason both have that chance.”
Wanderers are still very much in the running with seven games remaining; they are only two points out of safety.
It can be challenging to secure those points, though, when you’re at the bottom.
He remarked, “I’m not worried anymore than I was on Friday.” Did I have concerns on Friday? Yes, in a sense. It’s a concerning situation. But many clubs find this to be concerning.
“Even with seven games, you can still gain a significant amount of points.” If you can score seven or eight points from those games, you’ll be almost safe.
That’s not to say White hasn’t thought about what would happen if Wanderers are relegated for the first time in their brief but incredibly successful history.
Although most managers would be reluctant to mention the phrase “relegation” for fear of tempting fate, White, who also serves as the club’s owner and chairman, has prepared for every eventuality.
“The show has to go on, no matter what happens.” he declared. “We think we’ll stay in this division, but if not, I’m sure we’ll win the National League South by 30 points the following season.
“We remain a fantastic team and organisation, and nothing can alter.”
Wanderers now go to Barnet on Saturday, and on Good Friday, they will host Bromley.
Even though it frequently appears like half of the team is watching from the sidelines due to injuries, White is adamant that there is still hope that a few will be able to recuperate in time to participate in the seven games.
“Harry Ottaway won’t have surgery on his knee until the summer, but Matt Briggs is out for the season,” White stated. “Dan Gallagher has returned to his kennel. He has been nursing a hernia for almost a year, but he has worsened it.
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