Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
DWFC are selling shares in the club, through 'Seedrs' who have previously facilitated the sale of shares in both Altrincham and AFC Wimbledon.
Interested persons need to pre-register first, AND fully register a Seedrs account, otherwise you won't be eligible to buy shares.
Once you’ve received confirmation that you’ve set up your Seedrs account then you're all ready.
They'll then then notify you as soon as the ownership scheme begins and what to do, currently scheduled for the 31st July 2023.
It'll be really interesting what exciting incentives and exclusive opportunities are offered on 31st July, depending on the different levels of investment. I know that AFC Wimbledon used their scheme to fund the building of their new Plough Lane ground and they had a tiered range of 'perks' depending on how much you wanted to invest.
Anyone else interested in this? I see over 1500 have pre-registered already! What sort of associated benefits would you like to see offered?
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
I have pre-registered and look forward to hearing more details. Eg, is the money going on players, (new / full time), the ground or other facilities like training. Interested also to hear more about the sustainable funding that is flagged - what does that look like?
Lots of questions but it must be a massive positive step for the club - putting it on a sustainable footing for the long term.
As for benefits, I would be interested to hear about the AFC Wimbledon experience. A voice on the board is a good start, although translating 1500 opinions into one voice will be a challenge!
Agree, looks like a really positive step forward and a good way of raising funds & at the same time involving the fans in the running of the club, the transparency of information does seem to be really good with the fans from Marc & the team
As for the benefits, looking forward to seeing what these might be and also hope that they aren't too weighted for large investments and the fans who opt for the smaller funding packages are included too
Fan (part) ownership & ground ownership are 2 key steps to the development and long term vision for the club - exciting times for DWFC
‘We’re the red and white army’ 🐔 ⚽️
At Wimbledon we are all equal shareholders even if you put in £10 or £1000 you have got to be prepared never to see the money again but what we also did was a bond which is basically a loan to the club which is repayable with interest you have to lock it in for a period of min 5 years 10 or 20 years the longer you leave in better the interest you get
I did read an online article the other day that said the club Ideally would like to raise a minimum of £2m to cover all the commercial infrastructure developments that they are planning for. Obviously not everyone who has registered an interest will proceed to invest, but the numbers interest is hugely encouraging for the size of the club and the average home crowds that we get.
In my opinion a big deciding factor between whether a fan puts in £150 or £2500 is what associated benefits are attached to the differing levels of investment.
Looking at AFC Wimbledon (after all they are local and an example of a club that has gone through the levels to the professional game), they have all manner of incentives to invest differing amounts - there was something for everyone:
An inital investment got you a pin badge, a scarf and a share certificate (presumably to frame and put on your office wall)
Higher amounts secured engraved bricks, plaques, names on dressing room seats and names on steps at their new stadium.
They even had names on beers taps and urinals (yes really!)
Other perks included an invite to a training session with a meet and greet afterwards, a round of golf with club legends, the chance to become a patron or Vice President for 10 years, boardroom invites and hospitality tickets.
It was quite interesting to see all the various benefits available!
Crowdfunding Update: Full packages revealed - News - AFC Wimbledon
At Palace, when my wife and I signed up for 25 year season tickets (aka the 'Ambassadors Club') aside from the ticketing that we got, we got to be in a team group photoshoot, had our names on our seats and on a plaque in the stadium main foyer, and also got match programmes free for a number of years too.
So it will also be very interesting to see what DWFC offer as their associated incentives!
I do hope however that the club don't unintentionally disadvantage any fans who don't invest in these shares. There are a number of super-loyal 'home and away' fans of the club, who travel the length and breadth of the country quite regularly but who may not for various reason be able to invest in this at this time. By all means give people advantages, but I do trust that at the same time the club won't disadvantage others in any way. I am sure the likes of Marc and Kris will always have fairness at the centre of what they do with regard to planning this scheme.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
You are correct David as incentives as in the more you put in the bigger the incentive but as a shareholder you are all equal 👍
You are correct David as incentives as in the more you put in the bigger the incentive but as a shareholder you are all equal 👍
👍Cheers Steve, that was what I was hoping it would be.
The club is hoping to achieve £2m (or thereabouts), and describe what they would like to do with it as:
- the development of our academy and community playing facilities, (3G pitch at Westhumble? or Pixham?)
- stadium developments that will support greater commercial revenue generation opportunities that are essential to qualitative match-day experience, (more covered accommodation?, more seats?, add a club shop?, convert the soft play to another food and beverage venue??)
- to generate a bigger playing budget and transition to a full-time professional set-up with a competitive playing budget. (player upgrades and go full time pro?)
- establish a sustainable cash generative P&L that can be leveraged to support further infrastructure and strategic projects in the future. (make the overall operation more financially self-sustaining)
All worthwhile and admirable goals for the club.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
There is a very good interview with Marc White in todays Dorking Advertiser where he explains the scheme and its objectives 👍
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Looking forward to seeing what the options are
It is definitely a way forward for the Club and makes sure we, as founding members of Fair Game, remain a sustainable entity
We have a strong model at the moment, however, to further the amazing progress already made we must look at alternative ways of investing in projects
Our Partners have been essential to get us this far - now for the next chapter!
Was having a nosey at the Crawley Town online fans forum and there is a thread on there about our scheme.
A few envious eyes cast our way and some positive comments about the club...
https://ctfcfansforum.freeforums.net/thread/2615/dorking-fans-ownership-option
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Just seen a new news release from the club, it includes the following exciting news:
There will be a number of different packages available, each aligned to the amount of shares your choose to buy and within each package will be a range of exciting rewards and perks. Some of the rewards available will include:
*Lifetime season tickets;
*The chance to become a club Vice President;
*Lifetime membership to the Dorking Wanderers Owners club, guaranteeing priority access to all cup competitions, new merchandise releases and Wanderers TV-match highlights;
*Exclusive merchandise – all new owners will receive a limited-edition scarf and pin badge;
*Privileged training-ground experiences – watch the first team train, then meet and greet the players and manager.
Either someone out there is incredibly in tune with the fans, or it's taken the best bits from other previously successful schemes such as the one at AFC Wimbledon! 🤔
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Yes, lots of good ideas there. All I am after is the chance to suggest some different beers in the Lounge and maybe a burger named after me! 😜
The big launch is 7pm *Wednesday* for all who have pre-registered. Hopefully something is within my small budget (!) and if I'm lucky I might qualify for one of those hats
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Love this ….
‘We’re the red and white army’ 🐔 ⚽️
