A History Of Dorking Wanderers F.C.
The Early Years – Five Promotions And A Ground Move!
Dorking Wanderers were founded as recently as 1999 and in a short space of time have begun to steadily climb the non-league pyramid from park football to the Sussex County League. The founder members Marc White (the current chairman and manager), Peter Buckland, Mark Lewington, Ian Davidson, Lee Spickett and Penny Gregg brought the club to life and entered the fledgling team into the Crawley & District League for their inaugural season as the deadline had passed to join the West Sussex League. At this point the club was based at The Big Field in the village of Brockham.
After only one season the club transferred to the West Sussex League where in their first season (2000/01) the Division Four championship was secured. The reserves also won Division Five and ever since this season the club has proudly run two teams.
This progress was maintained when Wanderers finished as runners-up in Division Three in 2001/02.The reserves were also in the honours and lifted the Dorking Charity Cup in 2002 – a feat they would repeat in 2004 and 2006.
Wanderers steady climb continued in the 2003/04 season when the club finished as champions of the West Sussex League Division Two. The reserves complimented this by winning Division Four, the Division Four Charity Cup, the Dorking Charity Cup and finishing as runners-up in the Tony Kopp Cup.
The journey through the West Sussex League was completed in 2005/06 when a third place finish was enough to elevate the team into the Premier Division. The reserves again were again not far behind and finished the 2004/05 season as champions of Division Three.
The most important season up to this time was in 2006/07 when Wanderers won the West Sussex League Premier Division title and with it earned promotion to the Sussex County League. The team managed solely by Marc White clinched the title with a 2-1 home victory on the final day of the season at West Humble. A fine achievement in only seven seasons. Wanderers also reached the fifth round of the Surrey Intermediate Cup where the team lost by the odd goal in seven to Epsom Eagles Seniors.
With promotion, a distinct possibility an enormous off the field effort enabled Wanderers to relocateduring the season to the otherwise derelict venue of West Humble Playing Field in Dorking below the quaint setting of Box Hill. Wanderers were able to make West Humble home with the help of the club founder members, many of the playing staff and local volunteers not to mention kind local sponsors who provided the funds to make this a reality.
The Sussex County League Years - Senior Status Achieved
Wanderers made an immediate impact in the Sussex County League Division Three finishing in an impressive 4th place with the thumping of future champions Loxwood 4-1 at West Humble being the highlight. The club could have finished in a promotion spot, but could not maintain this level of performance against runners-up Bexhill United and Haywards Heath Town. West Humble, however, was not yet ready for the step up and so it did not affect the clubs fortunes.
The cups were where Wanderers shone brightest this year and for the first time the team reached the final of the Surrey Intermediate Cup where on the hottest day in May on record they faced Epsom Eagles Seniors. Unfortunately, the weather and a pre-match game of golf hindered the team who lost 0-2.
The second season in Division Three again saw Wanderers challenge for a promotion spot and only a late collapse in form saw this ambition ended. The team again reached another cup final. This time it was the Division Three Cup where despite a stunning performance the team just could not score and went down 0-2 to Haywards Heath Town. Ironically, it was two future Wanderers Lois Freitas and Kevin Cooper who did the damage for Town that day!
The Surrey Intermediate Cup offered little consolation as the Wanderers’ nemesis Epsom Eagles Seniors ended their hopes for the third season running. Wanderers also reached the semi-final of the Mid Sussex Charity Cup.
Wanderers achievements were beginning to be recognised and five of the team were selected to play for the Sussex County League’s representative side against the Mid Sussex League and Kent League respectively. The players in who were honoured were alas Smith, Jones, Kevin Burgess. John McBride and John Tyler. Smith also achieved a rare feat and a Wanderers scoring record in a single game by hitting a double hat –trick in the 9-1 victory over Hurstpierpoint.
The 2009/10 season was one of development off the field. A slow start to the campaign meant the team had too much to do despite an impressive run of form either side of Christmas, but 4th place was still achieved. There was also to be no cup final as Wanderers lost 0-2 to Bosham at Wick in the Division Three Cup semi-final.
Despite this, the momentum was maintained at committee level and plans were made to develop the changing rooms, improve the hard standing areas for the supporters, catering and refreshment facilities.
All the hard work of everyone at Dorking Wanderers eventually was rewarded during the 2010/11 season as the team cruised to the Division Three championship finishing 16 points clear of second placed Hurstpierpoint and scoring 93 goals in the process. To crown a fantastic season Chris Williams finished as the divisions top scorer with 28 goals.
The season also heralded the introduction of Dave Smith as Hon. Club Secretary who in addition to stabilising the club’s core administration is also at the helm of looking after the club infrastructure.Dave has already introduced additional much needed Committee Members to the club in Frank Burgess and John who are now key members of the Team.
The early part of 2011 saw a great deal of work on the ground completed in order for promotion to be achieved including an entire home changing block being constructed whilst a physio room and a place to entertain visiting officials were added. The club also extended the concrete walkways anderected a fence to enclose the ground. The club are indebted to Jeremy Pain and Dave Smith whopioneered the whole project for the ground.
After seven promotions in 13 seasons the club now welcome the challenge that lies ahead in the Sussex County League Division One and entrance into the F.A. Vase. Wanderers erected floodlights during the course of the season and plan to develop the ground further in the hope of further progression. The club finished third in its debut season (2011/12) in Division Two and following an eventful summer were promoted to the top flight of the Sussex County League following an F.A. Appeal. Wanderers had other reasons to be happy as the club reached the Surrey Premier Cup final at the first attempt, whilst being knocked out of the Division Two Cup by Littlehampton Town at the semi-final stage.

Honours
West Sussex League Premier Division Champions​ ​2007
West Sussex League Division One (Promoted)​​ 2006
West Sussex League Division Two Champions​ 2004
West Sussex League Division Three runners-up​ ​2002
West Sussex League Division Four Champions​ 2001
Surrey Intermediate Cup runners-up​ 2008
Sussex County League Division Three Champiions​ 2011
Sussex County League Division Three Cup runners-up​​ 2009
Sussex County League Division Two promoted​ 2012
Surrey Premier Cup runners-up​ 2012

Reserve Honours
West Sussex League Division Three Champions​​ 2005
West Sussex League Division Four Champions​ 2004
West Sussex League Division Five Champions​ 2001
West Sussex League Division Four Charity Cup winners​​ 2004
Tony Kopp Cup runners-up​ 2004
Dorking Charity Cup winners​ 2002, 2004, 2006
Sussex County League Reserve West Division runners-up​ 2011, 2012