Meadowbank Stadium to open its doors for public viewing

Locals can get to look around Dorking Wanderers new ground before it officially opens

Local residents are to be given an exclusive opportunity to look around the new Meadowbank Football Stadium a week before Dorking Wanderers’ opening game at the new ground.

Dorking Wanderers and Surrey FA, who will both be based at the state-of-the-art town stadium, have announced an Open Day on Monday 19th March for people who live in and around Dorking to see behind the scenes, along with sponsors, schools and youth groups, businesses and local dignitaries.

Speaking about the plans to showcase the stadium, the Dorking Wanderers Development Director Kris Lea stated, “Although Meadowbank is the new home of Dorking Wanderers and Surrey FA, we want it to be seen as a facility for the whole of the town. It really is a brand new town centre destination for everyone.”

Alongside Dorking Wanderers’ home matches, over a thousand young local players will be using the stadium each week, Surrey FA will be organising football for all age groups and communities, a soft play area and cafe will serve the park and the new Dorking Wanderers clubhouse and lounge will be open seven days a week with food and refreshments, offering a place for the public to meet, chat and eat.

“With everything it offers, Meadowbank is a once in a generation development,” added Kris, “and this Open Day is a once only opportunity to see it before anyone else and before it's fully operational.”

The Open Day will begin at 8am with a press call for the stadium’s formal opening. Local and regional media will be joined by members of Mole Valley District Council, dignitaries and some very special guests for the cutting of the ribbon.

Meadowbank Dorking Wanderers

Meadowbank Dorking Wanderers

That will be followed by a complimentary lunch for sponsors, local business owners, community groups and charities in the Dorking Wanderers lounge from mid-day.

The public events get underway at 4pm, when staff and pupils from schools in and around Dorking, along with youth clubs and parents, are invited to visit the stadium and see the opportunities for young people.

From 7pm to 9pm, the Open Day continues for the general public. Mole Valley residents and people who work in the town are welcome to turn up, take a tour, ask questions and hear about everything planned for the stadium and how they can make the most of it. Complimentary refreshments will be served in the Dorking Wanderers lounge on the first floor of the clubhouse.

While the morning opening is by invitation, the sessions for businesses and community groups, schools, parents and the general public are open for anyone to turn up on the day.

Dorking Wanderers new Meadowbank Stadium

Dorking Wanderers new Meadowbank Stadium

Meadowbank is an £8m development on the site of the original stadium. It has been the home of football in Dorking since 1953 and, with its location in the town centre surrounded by the park and St Martin’s church, it’s considered one of southern England’s most iconic locations in non-league football. The new ground is the result of a partnership between Mole Valley District Council, Surrey FA, Dorking Wanderers FC and the local football community, determined to preserve the site for community sport and maximise the development of football in the town.

“We’re proud to be managing such a fantastic facility on behalf of Mole Valley District Council,” says Caroline McRoyall, the Chief Executive of Surrey FA.

“It's a stadium that’s really going to be the pride of Dorking, so we’re looking forward to opening the doors for the day to show people around and engage with everyone about what it has to offer, and how it will benefit grassroots football locally.”

Dorking Wanderers’ opening game at the new stadium will take place just eight days later on Tuesday 27th March, when Leatherhead will be the visitors for the Mole Valley derby in the Bostik Premier Division. The game is heading for a 2,000 capacity sell-out with fewer than 200 tickets remaining and on sale now via dorkingwanderers.com..

Where next?

Aveley win a footballing 'Oscar' Parkside picks up an award for Best New Non League Ground

The Pitching In Isthmian Football League newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe