Following a successful 24/25 which saw the B’s lift the League Challenge Cup, their first piece of silverware, and finish 4th in the league standings with a highest points tally and number of goals scored since formation, preparations for another campaign competing in the Southern Combination Division One have got under way this week.
Slimmed down from 20 clubs to 18, this year’s edition of the Southern Combination Division One welcomes 5 new teams, with promoted sides Jarvis Brook, Ringmer and AFC Walcountians entering the league alongside Loxwood and Saltdean United, both relegated from the Premier Division last term. Whilst local sides Banstead Athletic and Chessington & Hook have transferred across Step 6 to the Southern Counties East and Alfold were relegated, Godalming Town and Reigate Priory will be the other two Surrey sides continuing in the division alongside Wanderers for the year ahead. The opening run of league fixtures are expected to be confirmed within the next couple of weeks, with the league start date scheduled for Saturday August 9th. Alongside their league obligations, the B’s will again compete in the League Challenge Cup, Peter Bentley Trophy and Surrey Premier Cup competitions as well in 25/26.
Between now and then, 7 pre-season fixtures have been scheduled for the B’s throughout the month of July:
Saturday July 5th
vs Carshalton Athletic XI (H)
3pm KO
Originally scheduled to face Bewdley Town, replacement opposition Carshalton Athletic will bring a side of predominately academy players to Meadowbank for the B’s pre-season opener this weekend.
Tuesday July 8th
vs Shrewton United (H)
7:45pm KO
Following Saturday’s opener, the B’s will welcome friend of the club George Plank’s Shrewton United in the first mid-week encounter of the schedule on Tuesday evening.
Saturday July 12th
vs Shoreham FC (H)
3pm KO
In a re-match of last year’s pre-season fixture, Southern Combination Premier Division side Shoreham FC come to Meadowbank for the penultimate home game of the run.
Saturday July 19th
vs Eastbourne United (A)
3pm KO
For the first away game of the schedule, the B’s travel down to the coast to take on another side from the division above in Eastbourne United, who finished in the play-off places last term.
Tuesday July 22nd
vs Moneyfields Reserves (H)
7:45pm KO
Hampshire club Moneyfields, the former stomping ground of Wanderers first team stars Jason Prior and Alfie Rutherford, will bring their reserve side to Meadowbank for the final home game of pre-season on July 22nd.
Saturday July 26th – Two Matches
vs Roffey FC (A) & Met Police XI (A)
2pm & 3pm KO
Preparations wrap up on the final Saturday in July with separate squads travelling to face Roffey FC and Met Police respectively.
With his first season in the hot-seat complete, manager Charlie Dunne will continue to lead the B team for 25/26, and is again joined by Assistant Manager Simon Ray, who in addition to his B team duties will lead the new Dorking Wanderers Academy U19 SCL side and continue to manage the Dorking Wanderers U13 Reds.
We are pleased to confirm a new Head Coach will be in the dug-out with Charlie and Simon for 25/26 – Eric Benedetto. Part of the coaching team previously with local clubs Redhill FC and Reigate Priory, Eric brings a wealth of senior and academy football experience to the role from spells working in England and his native France, and having joined the Dorking Wanderers Academy as a coach during the past academic year, will also lead the National League Alliance U19 side for the new season, working closely with Bobby-Joe Taylor, who will continue to lead the National League Academy South team.
Heading into the new campaign we bid a fond farewell to several regular and key players who have represented the Dorking Wanderers B team over the past couple of seasons, with academy graduates Joel Brown, Ollie Rawlins, Jay Richardson and Neo Wooster all moving on to ply their trade at higher levels next term. Whilst Joel has signed for Kingstonian FC in the Isthmian South Central Division (Step 4), Ollie, Jay and Neo will continue their path together with the trio having signed for East Grinstead Town in the Isthmian South East Division (Step 4). As education and career developments continue and progress, the likes of Zac Cahusac, Harry Charlesworth, Wilf Douglas, Luca Fulco, Lucas Elliot and James Laws also move on, and we wish each of them the very best with their future endeavours.
Set to continue involvement with the B’s in 25/26 are third year academy players Brandon Engstrom (midfield), Max Holland (midfield) and Louie Sullivan (goalkeeper), whilst following their breakthrough into the side last year, students moving into their second year such as Sam Allison (goalkeeper), Bertie Baker (defender), Gabriel Jacks (winger), Ted Sullivan (midfielder) and Miles Straker (forward) are all set to feature prominently alongside a raft of new additions, including many joining the academy as first year students.
After a tremendous run of form following his return from injury throughout the second half of the season, winger Joshua Hebert joins academy graduates Hayden Gale, Jack Saunders and Seb Tauta-Caballero in the Wanderers first team squad, and we wish the quartet well for the campaign ahead as their footballing journeys continue to progress forward.
Very much looking to build on a memorable, successful campaign in 24/25, the B team management team, players and volunteers all look forward to proceedings getting under way once again in the upcoming weeks. Stay up to date with all the latest news and updates via the Dorking Wanderers Academy social media channels – @academy_dwfc (Twitter/X) and @academydwfc (Instagram).
