@baggy Honestly, I couldn't agree more. I've always hated the constant changing of both managers and players - you lose all connection.

That's kind of what happened with my Aldershot supporting days tbh (although my son was the deciding factor) - I lost all the connection with the changes and the lack of players who really knew the club. There was no clear idea of what the club stood for either or clear identity and became just another club.

The same thing happened when I followed my then local side, Watford (although again the deciding factor was distance - and children!) - initially and for the first decade or so, and more, Watford were a real community club and you felt you belonged. That changed when they got promoted to the Premiership (as it was then) - and it was no longer a club I recognised.

Dorking is totally unique - you feel welcomed, part of the club, and there's a really clear idea of what the DWFC is about with a strong emphasis on fairness, looking after all supporters, a love of the game and community - and doing the right thing. Marc has been the driving force behind that. I can honestly say in my 40 odd years of watching football, I've never seen or felt anything quite like it.

I'm also hoping that the bad form for the season has happened to us, and we can start the year off by picking up 3 points, and have a great run.

I agree that Marc is the right person for right now. He has made some mistakes, and he has freely admitted it. At this point, bringing in a new manager, I believe, would derail the rest of the season. Marc has shown he is capable at this level - I feel as though last season is proof. 

@baggy I'm not suggesting him getting the sack, I'm just asking does he need to answer to someone because at the moment it's not working well and some decisions are the wrong ones.

That's a good question Gary.

Should Marc andswer to anyone? Well there is a senior committee of respected volunteers. Then there's his close allies - Whitters and Kris.

It's never a bad idea if Marc gets a second and third opinion on how things are going - having Kingy in the stand (when he wasn't in a job) was probably a useful sounding board for him. Marc no doubt listens to the thoughts of people like Steve Coppell too.

On a more general level though it is Marc's club - Marc is the club's "DNA". Some people don't like the swearing, the derogatory comments about referees, the poor touchline discipline. However there are probably the same number of people who LOVE Marc for those very things - for bringing the spirit of park football to an almost professional league, for being outspoken and honest and saying what he thinks.

Personally I love that Marc brings the fans so close to the club - the constant information and two way communication, I like that he recognises when fans can't afford several long coach trips in a month and lays one on for free, or puts a bit of money in for burgers. I love that the club "like" fans social media posts. And that we really feel valued and an important part of things. Take away a lot of what Marc is and it isn't the same charismatic person in charge, it could be any other club. 

That's what makes this club special and overall a huge success.

It’s a dilemma. I agree the club wouldn’t be the club without Marc, but he’s the owner, chair and manager AND chief executive of his company. Something has got to give, the stress he is under must be incredible. One of those jobs would be demanding for anyone else.  Apart from getting the players sorted out he’s trying to negotiate the ground purchase with SFA playing dirty tricks along the way; he’s trying to broaden ownership of DWFC via Seedrs; and after the sale eventually goes through he will have all the issues about how to develop Meadowbank. He’s a reMarcable man but I fear for his sanity.

One thing that I haven't seen discussed much this season is the loss of Mark Beard. I think that has had a much bigger impact than first anticipated.

While I agree that appointing a new manager is a no-go and Marc should remain at all cost (for now); I do think that we need to strengthen (not overhaul) the coaching team around him to relieve some of the pressure.

Since Tony Prime left have we got a new goalie coach in? It's not something I noticed?

@dorking-eagle Nope, not that I've seen. Probably hard to hire a volunteer goalkeeper coach though.

Slav could do a good job maybe as coach and second in line 🤔 🧤 🧤.. he always seems to train very well and good pre match too 👍

@sddwfc I thought about Slav as well to be the goalie coach, but isn't he on loan to Bath City FC?

@robh Think he was only there for 1 or 2 games. He's been doing the keeper warm up for the last few weeks.

You need a coach for keeper coaching and warmups as Slav also needs to warm up before games in case Male gets an injury.