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CHANGES AT DORKING 17/02/2006
Ryman League Division Two club Dorking have signed three new players in recent days.
Forward Simon Hatton has returned to the Chicks from League rivals Epsom & Ewell.
The 26-year-old left to rejoin Epsom in the summer of 2003 for a third time, having also had stints with Croydon Athletic and Leatherhead.
Dorking boss Steve Lunn also completed the signings of Jamie Darvill and Aaron Phinbow, who join from Nationwide Conference National side Gravesend & Northfleet’s Academy on ‘work experience’. They duo have signed for the next month but Lunn (pictured) hopes they will stay for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, chairman Jack Collins has moved swiftly to squash rumours that the Chicks are in financial difficulties.
Collins said: “The club has just completed a full Compliance Audit with the FA and come through this as a model club, with no control or financial issues whatsoever. This is lodged with the Isthmian League. We are also currently completing a PAYE audit with Inland Revenue - again we do not envisage any financial or control issues with this.
“The club has recently bought back control of it's Social Club and we are evaluating how to improve the revenue steam coming from this - having given up the fixed income that we accrued from the outside Bar Management. This means that we are sensibly watching our costs and cash outflows as any prudent well-run business does!
“Accordingly we will re-invest in players as and when an opportunity to improve the squad comes along and we really only want players who are committed to playing for Dorking. In any sensible business, you meet your fixed costs first and foremost and only then, with what is left can you spend on the variables. The playing expense budget at Dorking is a variable - although it is been maintained at the level budgeted for the season. This may need to be reviewed next year - dependent on whichever league the club finds itself in as the club will present an annual budget to the FA for approval as part of the governance laws now in place in football.
“We will not put the club into any financial difficulty by trying to spend funds that do not exist to buy perceived short-term success - and you could ask - for whom?
“Significantly Dorking is playing at the level that it has for most of it's long history and it's only forays into higher football have been brief - and mostly paid for by the current owners and their friends and associates since the mid 90's. The cost of playing in Step 4 is way beyond the normal operating capacity of this club - as we have recently found out. We need to rebuild to have another go at promotion and have to be united as a club to achieve success at that level - especially as we do not have the natural resources of 'bigger town' clubs that compete at that level.
“As regards recent comments, most of the loyal supporters and helpers at Dorking are known directly to the Board and they understand that DFC is run well and is looking to the long term future of the Club. They also understand the realities of non-League football and the massive voluntary effort involved in running senior football clubs at our level. They also appreciate that we have expanded our associated youth set ups with our own Colts team, girls teams and a comprehensive tie-up with Brockham Badgers, which will play dividends in the future.
“But, we like most clubs needs to increase our commercial revenues significantly, which will help cover off a lower income from the Social Club. We will run the bar on much stricter lines in terms of who is served and when - with the new licensing laws requiring far more from the licensees in terms of the Bar management and the responsibilities that are borne by them. On the plus side we have appointed a new commercial team, who are doing their best to increase the clubs’ profile and sponsorships.
“In summary, we felt the need to issue a statement in case these daft rumours spread any further and also to clarify the realities that we face at the moment - indeed only what most clubs face at our level - which is a constant battle to keep your head above water. The Board constantly plans ahead financially and will make any adjustments that it feels necessary for the long-term financial health of Dorking FC. There are other factors impacting the club's future in terms of our local environment and we will comment on these at a later time, when detailed facts are known.
“My family remain deeply committed to Dorking FC and appreciate the support of our colleagues and close friends and helpers.
“On the playing side, our management team - Steve and Andy Lunn - have our absolute support - they have achieved an awful lot in their time already. They will have blips as they are young in terms of management and are still learning, however their success so far totally outweighs any down sides. As recently as December they were heros - Team of the Month - but now supposed villains.
“Success at our level is built on team spirit but sadly players at our level come and go for a whole variety of reasons and it takes time to regain momentum. Consequently, we have had a dip in form recently - since the FA Vase exit- but we the owners and our team management are united in taking the club forward again.”
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