The Wanderers Way: The Rise of Dorking Wanderers

[KWFM]

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After the highs, heartbreaks and drama of my last FM24 blog with TSV 1860 Munich, I am back again for a brand new long term challenge. This time we are swapping Bavarian beer halls for Surrey terraces as I dive into Football Manager 2026 with the mighty Dorking Wanderers.

Dorking’s rise through English football has been incredible in real life, but in FM26 they find themselves battling in the lower tiers once again after missing out on promotion last season. The club is still punching above its weight with modest resources although the squad is somehow expected to challenge for the title. The situation is tough and with Mr Dorking himself, Marc White, heading upstairs into the boardroom and handing over the reins, it feels like the perfect moment to jump in. This challenge has been calling for a while and I cannot wait to get started.

I learned a lot from my previous save, especially the importance of building a squad that can grow year after year and trusting the youth system much more than I used to. Last time things ended far too early. This time I am determined to see it through from start to finish, helped along by the accountability of writing this blog.

Objectives for this save

• Lead Dorking Wanderers up the football pyramid and reach the Premier League
• Win a major domestic trophy
• Establish Dorking as a top half Premier League club playing our formidable three four two one
• Build a strong coaching staff filled with club legends
• Develop a youth academy capable of producing homegrown players who become the core of the team
• Turn Meadowbank into a fortress and upgrade every part of the club along the way

There is no giant city rival to take down this time and no Oktoberfest crown to reclaim. The goal is just as ambitious though. I want to take one of English football’s most iconic modern non league stories and push it even further, hopefully with the famous bunch of amateurs crew following us around for the ride.

As with my previous blog, I will post updates three times per season

• Season preview and squad update on 1 September
• Mid season and post January window review on 1 February
• End of season round up on the final day of the campaign

And, keeping the tradition alive, I will try to get to a real Dorking Wanderers match this year and pick up a shirt to make the journey feel that bit more real.

If you are planning a Dorking save of your own or have taken them on before, let me know. I would love to compare stories and see how our careers play out.

Let the FM26 journey begin - Up the Wanderers!

 

[DisturbedOne]

Excited for this one.

 

[KWFM]

Season 1 - Welcome to Dorking!

Here we are, first press conference at Dorking. It feels a bit over the top with more than fifteen cameras squeezed into a room that probably fits five comfortably, but I appreciate the attention. I arrive with no managerial experience and very little reputation, other than being the guy who has followed the club’s journey on YouTube for years. Now it is time to prove myself.

The fans will understandably be disappointed to see Marc White step away from the dugout. There is no reason to panic though because he remains upstairs in the boardroom and will definitely be watching closely.

Meeting the Team

Walking into the dressing room, the first thing that stands out is the amount of experience in this squad. We are not the youngest team in the league, but we have several long serving players who understand the club better than anyone. Alfie Rutherford and Charlie Carter in particular will be important if we want to push on and achieve what slipped away last season, which is promotion.

We do have long term injuries to Norville Williams, Pybus and McManus, so we need cover in those positions. We also lack depth in goal, at attacking midfield and at centre back. With some ageing legs at the back we will need to bring in younger players who can handle the demands of a long National League South season.

The tactic I want to use is a 3-4-2-1. This shape does not use wingers, so our wingbacks will be responsible for most of our wide creativity. Because of that, players such as Muitt and new signing Lewis might struggle to fit in and they could be moved on to create extra room in the wage budget. In the next update I will go through the transfer business we complete.

Board Expectations

The board has high hopes for us. They expect a promotion challenge and they also want us to make reasonable progress in the FA Cup, which would give us a helpful financial boost. With the right signings I do not see why these goals cannot be achieved, especially since the media predicts us as the second strongest side in the division.

Finances

Our financial situation is healthy. We are inside the wage budget and the club has a stable balance for this level. As long as we stay sensible during the summer window, we should be in a strong position to invest in the club later on if the season goes well.

That is the starting point for the save. Time to get into the summer window and see what deals we can complete before the season begins.

Up the Wanderers. The FM26 journey starts now.

 

[The chosen wrong]

Look forward to the next update

 

[KWFM]

Summer Window: Transfer Activity

Even though the transfer window doesn’t close until the spring, I thought now was a good time to drop in with some updates. We’ve really settled into the role and have strengthened the squad with some genuine quality.

We’ve spent a bit in the wage budget and cleared out a few players who just don’t fit the 3-4-2-1 system we’re building. With the moves we’ve made, I feel we’re now solid across the board with real depth and quality in every position.

Incoming Transfers:

• Kinsella (LWB) – A reliable option on the left who covers for the injury to Norville-Williams. He’ll be a strong backup to Vincent.
• Manning (CDM) – Young, versatile, and able to fill in at CAM as well. I can see a lot of lower-league saves picking him up.
• Loades (GK) – Finally, a backup keeper! Young with potential.
• Twose (CAM) – Loan – A great starting CAM who fits perfectly behind Rutherford. Already has 3 goals in 6.
• Osho (RWB) – Loan – Quick, cheap, and ideal for the right flank—though he may get recalled since he demanded a starting RB role.
• Parker (CB) – Loan – We needed an extra man at the back and ended up with a top young defender to play on the left side of the three.
• Abraham (ST) – Not that Abraham… but still a useful option off the bench, even if his scoring record isn’t the best.

As for outgoings, we’ve moved on a number of youngsters and now have a handful of older squad players sitting in the U21s. I’ll look to offload them throughout the season to free up more wages.

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Additional Moves…

Just as I was about to post this, a couple more names came through the door—adding the depth we needed with such a small squad.

• Ibe (CAM) – Known more as a winger, but his overall quality makes him a great fit at CAM. Adds depth behind Carter and Twose.
• Ferguson (CB) – With a few knocks already and some ageing defenders in the squad, his cheap wages and high potential make him a perfect first-team option.
• Bostock (CDM) – A recognisable name and a lower-league favourite. He brings real class on the ball—and who can overlook those ridiculous set-piece stats?

We’re already well into the season, so the mid-season review isn’t far away!

#UpTheWanderers

 

[KWFM]

Season 1 – Mid-Season Review

Here we are, back after a really strong start to our first season with Dorking! We opened the campaign with a 14-match unbeaten run and haven’t really looked back since. Although going out to Sutton in the FA Cup isn’t the worst result, it was still disappointing not to cash in on a cup run that could have really boosted the finances.

The 3-4-2-1 has been working a treat, and with the depth in the squad we’ve been able to rotate heavily without relying too much on any one player. As we approached the end of 2025, we really started to push on in the league – helped by a great run of clean sheets. The fact we’ve managed to put in big performances both home and away is a great sign, especially with the schedule getting busier as we continue our FA Trophy run.

As you’ve probably guessed, we sit top of the Enterprise South on New Year’s Eve! But we’re not alone up there – local rivals Farnborough have kept pace with us, and with only three draws and five losses they’re right on our heels. Maidenhead aren’t far behind either, just four points back. It’s shaping up to be one of those seasons where a single bad spell could seriously damage our hopes of automatic promotion.

Squad Update

We’ve mostly lined up with this XI, though as mentioned, rotation has been a huge part of our success so far. The Carter–Twose–Rutherford link-up has been fantastic, and having that quality up top really pays dividends. A solid back three gives us the foundation we need, allowing the midfield to push on and the wing-backs to attack aggressively. In possession, the shape often morphs into a 3-1-5-1, which is lethal – especially on the counter.

Nearly every player has started at least 10 games, and with so many names on the scoresheet it's getting harder to pick a “strongest XI” not that I’m complaining with the fixture list ahead. Both left-backs, Vincent and Norville-Williams, have been tremendous, and even Kinsella chipped in with plenty of assists when he was in the lineup. And of course, we can’t finish without mentioning Rutherford: 16 goals in 21 games – an elite finisher at this level.

The Balance…

Financially, we’re in a good place, although a deeper cup run would’ve helped. We’re slightly over the wage budget, but overall the club is stable, and we’ll look to tidy things up in January. The board are happy too – even if the C-grades feel a bit harsh, we all know the season will ultimately be judged by the final standings. Recruitment has been smart, the tactic is clicking, and the squad is performing.

Now it’s time to see if we can wheel and deal a bit this January – clear out the remaining deadwood, add a bit more quality, and really kick on.

#UpTheWanderers