The Wanderers Way: The Rise of Dorking Wanderers

[KWFM]

​

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]

Season 1 – Midseason Update: A Change of Plan

(please note i've had an issue with my macbook so had to reset and restart! next few updates coming very soon!)


When I sat down to begin this save, I had a clear vision in mind: a 3-4-2-1, dynamic wingbacks, clever inside tens, and a system that would carry us all the way up the pyramid. It was bold, ambitious, and probably a little overcomplicated for where we are right now… But football management rarely sticks to the script.

After a full pre-season with the squad, it became obvious that forcing my preferred shape onto this group would mean breaking apart some of the club’s strongest assets. We simply had too many good wide players to ignore, and not quite enough depth in the wingback areas to make the 3-4-2-1 function at the level I wanted.

So instead of reshaping the squad, I reshaped the idea. We moved to a 4-3-3. It might not have been the tactical manifesto I promised in the last update, but it suits this group perfectly. It allows us to get natural width high up the pitch, press aggressively from the front, and protect an experienced back line with a more balanced midfield three. Most importantly, it lets our best players play in their best positions.

And here is the biggest surprise of all: I didn’t make a single signing. For a club expected to challenge at the top, that felt risky. But I wanted to see what this current group could do with a system built around them, rather than one imposed on them.

What followed has been… better than I could have imagined.

Results

In the league, we’ve gone 24 wins, 3 draws, and just 2 losses. Let’s just say this squad has plenty about it — what a start we’ve had!

We’re still in the FA Trophy, but the only downer is that we didn’t make it to the first round of the FA Cup. Some things just don’t change down at Dorking!

Honestly, keeping it simple — with minimal instructions and a formation that fits the team perfectly — has been all we’ve needed so far.

The Squad

Playing a 4-3-3 has given us plenty of rotation options. We have at least two players for each position, which means we can rest key men without losing quality.

The trio of Carter, Taylor, and Rutherford has been particularly dangerous, especially when you add Muitt and Lewis into the mix with their delivery. The main 18 or so players in the squad have all played at least 10 games each, which makes managing the season a lot easier — especially with the lack of injuries.

Five players already have double-digit goals, and another four are on double digits for assists. It’s a joy to see all the cogs turning so well.

Now it’s time to kick on for the rest of the season. Let’s keep flying and avoid any crash-and-burn scenarios!

 

[KWFM]

Apologies, Macbook crashed so a new save has been put together and we're back on the go again! Hoping for an update early Feb!

 

[KWFM]

The time has come, update coming very soon! Some records may have been broken... thankfully not a pc this time!

 

[KWFM]

Season 1 – Champions, a Double, and a New Deal

Before we talk about the trophies, the ridiculous points total, or the goals flying in from everywhere, there is one key update. I have signed a new contract at Dorking Wanderers.

When I walked into Meadowbank at the start of the season, I arrived with no experience and very little reputation. It felt like a leap of faith for everyone involved. Marc White stepping upstairs and handing over the reins was a huge moment for the club, and there was always going to be pressure that came with that. For him to now offer me a new deal at the end of this season feels like real backing. It feels like belief. This is no longer a short term experiment. This is a project that has properly begun.

And what a first season it has been.

We did not just win the league. We dominated it. Thirty nine wins, four draws, three defeats, one hundred and twenty one points, and one hundred and twenty four goals scored. An eighty one goal difference. When you look at the table, it almost feels surreal. From early on there was a sense that something had clicked. The switch to the 4-3-3, which originally felt like a compromise, became the foundation of everything we did.

The shape suited the squad perfectly. The wide players stretched games and constantly delivered quality into the box. The midfield three gave us control and protected an experienced defence. The striker thrived with consistent service. We played on the front foot, pressed aggressively, and more often than not overwhelmed teams before they could settle. There were very few afternoons where we looked second best. Even in tighter matches, the belief in the system carried us through.

What makes it even more satisfying is how we achieved it. We did not sign a single player. No summer overhaul. No January panic buys. The same group that started pre season together finished it lifting the trophy. That continuity built chemistry, and that chemistry translated into ruthless consistency on the pitch.

The FA Trophy win only strengthened that feeling. League campaigns are about endurance, but cup competitions test mentality in a different way. Rotation becomes important. Squad harmony matters. Big moments define you. This group handled it all. Different players stepped up at different times, which sums up this season perfectly. Five players reaching double figures for goals tells you everything about how balanced this side has been. Assists have been shared around. Midfielders have contributed. Wide players have delivered consistently. It has never felt like we were relying on one individual to drag us across the line.

Looking at the squad page now, the spread of appearances stands out just as much as the goals. The core eighteen or so players have all played significant minutes. That depth, combined with very few injuries, made it easier to maintain momentum across both competitions. It never felt like we were running on fumes.

Off the pitch, things are just as encouraging. The finances are healthy, the wage structure remains sensible, and promotion gives us an opportunity to strengthen from a position of stability rather than desperation. Marc White has always built this club sustainably in real life, and it feels right that we are following that same path in this save.

Now the challenge changes. The National League is a step up in every sense. The opposition will be stronger, the margins tighter, and the physical demands greater. The big question is whether this group can rise again or whether evolution is needed to keep climbing the pyramid.

For now though, it is worth pausing to appreciate what has been achieved. First season in charge. League champions. FA Trophy winners. A new contract agreed. A clear tactical identity established.

The journey is only just beginning.

#UpTheWanderers

 

[KWFM]

Season 2 – The Renovation Begins

Well… here we are. Season Two kicks off and it genuinely feels like a reset button has been pressed at the club.

After lifting the league title and defending the FA Trophy, this summer was always going to be about evolution. The aim? Get younger, get sharper, and start closing the gap on the clubs above us — with an eye on League Two sooner rather than later.

Out With the Old (But with Respect)

It was time for some transition.

Moore and Prior — legends in their own right — have moved on. Both are still playing somewhere, somewhere, somehow sticking it to people two decades younger. Fair play to them. They gave everything for us, but the squad needed fresh legs.

Pybus and a few fringe players also departed. Nothing dramatic — just players who drifted out the door as we looked to reinvest.

In With the New

We finally started spending like a club with a plan:

Plain – GK
Our new number one. There’s talk about Foulkes still being “in the mix,” but Plain’s arrival certainly turns this into a genuine competition. I wouldn’t be surprised if minutes are split — and that’s good news for both.

Reid – DM
A proper midfield presence. Pybus was a big part of last season’s success, and Reid is here to slot into that role while giving us something a bit more dynamic.

Holland – RW
Young, hungry, and quick — the kind of winger we’ve lacked. Muitt won’t give minutes up easily, but this battle should be entertaining.

Osborne – CM
Another youthful addition with bags of potential. Taylor’s fitness isn’t perfect early on, so Osborne has started strong. If he keeps pushing, Taylor won’t be getting that spot back easily.

Ferdinand – CB
Third-choice for now behind Annesley and Storey, but a solid depth piece — especially useful if we go three at the back.

Stutter – RW/LW/ST
Chelsea youth product and one to watch. Versatile, direct, and someone who could be a fan favourite in time if his development continues on track.

McCalum – ST
Yes — P-Mac is here. A classic target man to give us aerial threat, hold-up play, and a presence in the box. The kind of signing that gets supporters buzzing.

Richards – LW/ST
Mainly a left winger who’ll rotate with Dennon Lewis. Quality if fit — injury record allowing, this could be an inspired addition.

Wilson & Shann – Youth Additions
Just what our U21s needed — young talent with potential. Not ready for day-one first team just yet, but good building blocks for the future.

Tactics & Starting XI

With Taylor managing his fitness early on, Osborne has grabbed the opportunity, and the wide players come straight into the XI. There’s a fresh balance to the team — energetic, adaptable, and far more versatile than last season. This isn’t a squad that’s just here to survive. There’s real depth and competition in every area.

The season feels like our kind of challenge.

Stability Still Key

Despite all the changes, we’re in a healthy place financially. We’re 11th on the league’s salary table, and we’ve got close to £1 million in the bank. Sustainable growth was always the objective, and we’re not just talking about it — we’re living it.

No reckless splashes. No destabilising contracts. Just smart additions and a long-term vision.

The Kits

And yes — before someone asks — the new kits are here. Home kit? Absolutely no changes. It was too good to touch. Away and third? Given a proper refresh. Sharp, modern, clean. And may I finally say — FM26, please, stop mixing up kits each gameweek. Let the boys wear the right shirt. We’re begging you.

Let’s Kick This Off

We’ve got an FA Trophy to defend, a new league to conquer, and a squad that feels ready to make some noise.

Season Two starts now. Let’s make it one to remember.

 

[KWFM]

Season 2 - Mid Season Update: Built to Last or Built to Bottle

We are past the halfway mark in the National League and it feels like a good time to take stock of where we are.

Off the pitch there has finally been some movement. In the chaos of season one we may have neglected the finer details, so we are now officially studying for the National C badge. Progress. The board have also rewarded us with a new deal which feels like a proper show of faith. I would like to think it reflects not just the results, but the way we have been playing this season.

On a slightly less inspiring note, the youth intake preview was about as exciting as a goalless draw on a Tuesday night. No golden generation in sight. Maybe next year?

Results

The record so far reads 20 wins, 6 draws and 4 losses, and we are still alive in the FA Trophy. If you had offered me that in August I would have snapped your hand off without hesitation. Aside from a defeat to Hull in the FA Cup, we have been relentless.

The only issue is that Carlisle are not going away. There is very little margin for error and the National League is not a division you want to be stuck in. It is brutal, unforgiving and has a habit of punishing complacency. Promotion to League 2 would give us a real platform to build and develop properly as a club, especially as it would mean turning professional too. This league is a marathon, but every so often it forces you into an all out sprint just to stay ahead.

As it stands we sit top of the table. The goals are flowing and that attacking output could be the difference when the pressure really kicks in.

The Squad

Tactically we have tweaked things slightly to get the best out of the players available. The front three of Stutter, Holland and Rutherford have been absolutely clinical and are the biggest reason we find ourselves where we are. When they click, we look unstoppable.

We have just added Zach Awe, formerly of Arsenal, to strengthen the back line following Storey heading out on loan to Chester. The squad harmony is excellent at the moment, and I am very wary of doing anything that upsets that balance.

Injuries have been frustrating. Richards and Carter in particular have had awful luck which means we have rarely been able to name what we would call our strongest eleven. The positive is that the depth has stepped up. Everyone has contributed and no one has let the standard drop.

The 5-2-3 continues to be devastating going forward, even if it occasionally gives me anxiety defensively. Having that alongside the 4-3-3 gives us flexibility depending on the opponent, which could prove vital during the run in.

The squad is in a strong place. If we can avoid any major injury setbacks, there is every chance we can finish season two in style. Back-to-back automatic promotions would be some statement.

The only question is whether we see it through… or whether we end up joining the Arsenal support group for Bottlers... let’s see how we do!

 

[KWFM]

Season 2 Ending – We Got There… Eventually

Well… here we are. The end of season two.

I need a second to breathe.

I genuinely do not think I have ever had a season like this. We were outstanding. Not good. Not lucky. Outstanding. And I would not even say we bottled anything. Sometimes football is just a game of the finest margins and this time we landed on the wrong side of them.

One hundred and two points... And we finished second.

How is that even possible. Carlisle, you have officially made an enemy for life. Mark Hughes, I will not forget this.

Despite hitting 102 points, we were forced into the playoffs. Brutal. The National League really does refuse to let you leave quietly. Thankfully, when it mattered most, we turned up. A 3-2 win over Crewe at Wembley sealed it. Absolute limbs. We are going up. Say we are going up!!!

As if that was not enough, we also secured back to back FA Trophy wins to round off the season. It was not always comfortable and there were moments where it looked like the wheels might wobble, but we got over the line again.

Promotion and silverware. You cannot argue with that.

The Team

Another season in the books and overall I think we managed the squad well across a long and demanding campaign.

There is a slight cloud on the horizon. Foulkes and Muitt are unhappy and want to move on. Their minutes did drop after Christmas which I understand from their perspective, but injuries played a huge part in that. It was never personal and it certainly was not by design.

On the pitch, Rutherford has been phenomenal once again. The goals have flowed and he looks more than capable of stepping up to the next level. Holland and Stutter were magnificent throughout, while Osborne quietly went about his business and delivered week after week. In truth, the midfield unit as a whole deserves huge credit. They carried us through some very tight games.

As we moved into April we reverted back to the 4-3-3. It suited Charlie Carter and Osborne perfectly and allowed us to rotate Vincent and Taylor through the middle. That tweak gave us fresh legs at exactly the right time and we finished the season strongly, particularly in the playoffs and the cup final.

When it mattered most, the system and the squad delivered.

The Club

Now we enter a summer that will define the next chapter at Dorking.

We are heading into territory the club has never experienced before and with that comes fundamental change. We are officially a professional club. That alone is massive. It is exactly what we need as we prepare for life higher up the pyramid. Marc White will be loving this from the boardroom, even if he is no longer the man in the dugout.

And he has not held back.

A one million pound transfer budget. A healthy wage budget. A 1500 seat expansion. A brand new grass pitch at Meadowbank.

Yes, it impacts the finances. Yes, it is probably a boardroom headache waiting to happen. But that is a problem for another day.

For now, we celebrate. We enjoy it. We say goodbye to McShane as he rides off into the sunset, and maybe just maybe there is a short trip to Ibiza before pre season begins.

Then we come back and try to turn the mighty Dorking into a genuine force in the professional leagues.

 

[KWFM]

Season 3 – Time to Get Down to Business

Let’s start this update on the highest of highs — a true Football Manager dream. An ex-player returning to the club in a coaching role! After a short holiday away from the game, James McShane is back on the staff. Macca returning was right at the top of my wishlist this summer, so seeing him walk back through the door is a brilliant way to kick things off.

Now onto the real headline: a pretty mad transfer window.

With some of the older statesmen moving on and the need for a slightly bigger squad this season, there were always going to be changes. In truth though, not many players left the club. Casey Shann was the only departure that brought in a bit of profit, although he never really managed to make an impact during his year with us.

The real action came with the arrivals.

For the first time in a while, we’ve actually spent a bit of money — mostly to release players from contracts — but they’re deals I felt were absolutely worth making and they’ve significantly strengthened the squad. Here’s who has joined us this summer:

Billy O’Neill – RW/ST
A big-money move for a young Irish talent. He looks like he could be a huge addition and the fact he can also fill in up front makes him even more valuable.

James Olayinka – CM/CAM
More of a squad depth signing, but a solid one. He’s capable of linking the midfield to the attack nicely and adds another option in the middle of the park.

Maldini Kacurri – CB
An Arsenal prospect who will slot straight into our back line. I’m expecting him to be a regular starter for us this season.

Ted Curd – GK
Our new number one. I’ll admit I’m slightly cautious — he’s not the most experienced and perhaps not quite as strong as the scouts suggested — but between him and Plain I’m confident we’ll be fine at this level.

Maeson King – LB
A real standout addition at left-back. It wasn’t necessarily a position I was desperate to strengthen, but when a player of his quality becomes available it feels foolish not to take the opportunity.

Josh Robertson – DM/CM/CAM
One of the most exciting signings of the window. His versatility across midfield could finally allow us to shift into a more attacking 4-2-3-1 system.

Tyrell Ashcroft – RB
Another excellent addition who could be with us for years as we continue climbing the leagues. He’s outstanding for this level and completes a very strong back four.

All in all, we’ve built some fantastic depth again this season. It’s also great to still have Carter and Annesley holding down spots in the starting XI. The squad is packed with quality for this level, and we’re slowly but surely bringing the average age down too.

The media seem to like the business we’ve done as well. At the start of July we were tipped as 17th favourites for the title, but after the transfer window that’s jumped all the way up to 7th. Not bad going at all.

Financially, we’re now pushing the limits of our wage budget, but the club itself is in a really healthy position with over £2 million in the bank. With the increased wage bill we probably won’t be quite as profitable as previous seasons, but if things go well there’s always the chance we can cash in on some of these new signings further down the line.

And of course… new season, new kits! What do you think?

We’re already a month into our League Two campaign, so it’s time to see how Season 3 really unfolds.