Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
"At 5pm, we are announcing a landmark long-term partnership - the biggest in club history and another step towards our dream of reaching the Football League. We couldn’t have achieved it without all of you! – MW"
Coupled with the recent announcement of a new director which went somewhat under the radar:
"David Little joins Wanderers Board
Following David’s arrival, Wanderers CEO, Jonathan Bines, stated the following:
“I am absolutely delighted to share the appointment of David Little to the Dorking Wanderers FC Board. David is a highly experienced, football-obsessed lawyer who brings with him a wealth of knowledge in the sports and media sectors.
David is a passionate sportsman and spectator and is a regular attendee at non-league grounds around the country. He has worked on a number of projects, and advised at football league level, so is a fantastic addition as we continue to set the appropriate foundations off the pitch in our quest for EFL status.”
The future is certainly looking very bright off the pitch!
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Re: Jonathan's email about it this afternoon to shareholders. I respect we need to keep this under wraps but I'm really not happy at the industry the new partner is involved in. Happy to discuss after the announcement
Re: Jonathan's email about it this afternoon to shareholders. I respect we need to keep this under wraps but I'm really not happy at the industry the new partner is involved in. Happy to discuss after the announcement
From your statement, I can only assume it maybe a gambling company
I'll have a Guinness
We had a Crypocurrency sponsor for a year and I didn't hear or read a single complaint from any of our fans. Assuming the announcement is about a shirt sponsor to replace Stonegate Homes (brilliant sponsors they were by the way) then unless it's Pornhub I haven't got a problem.
If it's a gambling sponsor as Steve is guessing from your comment, then really it's no brainer - senior football clubs can't advertise these any more, so lets hoover up the business. Non-league clubs need to use every advantage they can find. And maybe we won't even be a non-league club in a few years anyway? There are such adverts on pitch perimiter boards all through televised matches, and on the tv coverage too, I don't gamble myself and it's up to other adults to decide whether they do or not, this is a libertarian society we live in.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
@dorking-eagle Absolutely yes a libertarian society, and right now I'm holding fire until we have more info and respect to the board for all the work they are doing to build this up. But re: your last point, you may be fortunate to benefit from your decision not to gamble and have support networks to mitigate any risks, but others are more vulnerable and less fortunate, this is highlighted by a recent tragedy experienced by the club. It's a shame that other industries do not invest in the game as much as others.
IF it's a gambling shirt sponsor (could be anything, I hope its Johnston Roadsweepers!) then not too bothered really, nobody is dragging you down Coral with your arm behind your back to put on a bet! And there are companies like Gamstop who can block you from betting.
As I say, if it is, (and it might not be!) does that mean with every mention of the sponsor, the club have to write below it 'Be Gamble Aware'?
It actually would be funny if its pornhub though!
https://dwfc.co.uk/2025/04/dwfc-welcomes-olbg-as-new-principle-partner/
On Line Betting Group announced as new shirt sponsor
Must be a fantastic deal as the club are really publicising it. Will he great for progressing our brilliant community club. Will be keen to see the kits with it on.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Not a company I’ve heard of but must be a great deal for the club. I’m sure there will be a few frowns but it’s not like Dorking don’t already have boards around the ground with gambling sites on them.
Seen the odd dissenter on social media, but are the blind to Premier League clubs making millions from the same thing? Our deal will be small in comparison to those clubs, but still massive for our ambitions
Have to say Jon Bines has been a revelation since he came to the club with what he has done - transformed our fortunes regarding the physio dept, the pitch injuries and now monetizing our substantial online reach.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Seen the odd dissenter on social media, but are they blind to Premier League clubs making millions from the same thing? Our deal will be small in comparison to those clubs, but still massive for our ambitions
Have to say Jon Bines has been a revelation since he came to the club with what he has done - transformed our fortunes regarding the physio dept, the pitch injuries and now monetizing our substantial online reach.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
I am not aware of them either agree it makes sense to take the money while it is on offer. Just hope betting companies won’t be banned completely before the end of the deal. Would be interesting to find out where the investment is going - club is still seeking help for necessary ground improvements, so maybe on players?
From a bit of googling, Premier League clubs have voluntarily decided to stop having gambling related ads on the front of shirts from the start of 26/27, so will still have them next season. But will still have sleeve sponsors for it.
Palace as an example had a 2nd hand car dealer, Cinch on theirs last year in an attempt to find alternative big money sponsorship, but when that ran out they went back to a chinese betting company nobody had heard of
The money on offer from such companies makes a big difference, if Marc had it on his hat for certain interviews etc, it would show just how good it is for the club, and that is his motivator, he hugely cares about progressing this club.
I hope the money from it goes towards getting the ground stuff sorted - I mean either buying out Surrey FA so that DW can benefit from the community hires of the pitch (££), or the freehold so the club can commercialise that more (naming rights, groundshare etc) or ground improvements (roof on the far end overdue for example)
As much as the academy could do with some investment too, if it got spent on Westhumble and then the fundraising for Meadowbank kept on going indefinitely that wouldn't be the most popular use of the funds from most fans IMO
We shall see, there is a Thursday morning update where hopefully more light is shed on what Marc and club hope the deal means for the club.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Betting company wise, Talk Sport are far worse. They are sponsored by a betting company which gives you odds and advertises special deals every 15 minutes during their programmes. I am sure they encourage more betting than any shirt sponsorship.
Considering we had a very dodgy crypto sponsor for a year, a betting advice company (not even a betting app) really isn't that bad.
That being said, I think we might be the only club in either the NL or NLS (not checked NLN) to have a betting sponsor?
