Dorking Wanderers can today announce the departure of midfielder Niall McManus following 8 seasons with the football club.
Making the move across Mole Valley from Leatherhead FC in the summer of 2018, Niall made his competitive debut for Wanderers on August 11th in the 1-1 draw away to Bishop’s Stortford. Quickly establishing himself as a regular starter for Wanderers through the early weeks of the season, Niall would contribute 5 goals throughout the campaign, including important strikes at home to AFC Hornchurch and away at Whitehawk, going on to be a key part of the squad which would win the Bostik League Premier Division by a record 22 points, and earn the club promotion to Step 2 for the very first time.
Becoming increasingly renowned for his tireless running and work rate, be that in his preferred central midfield box-to-box role or deputising in wide areas, Niall would remain an integral player for Wanderers in the club’s ascent through the National League South. Playing virtually every game of that inaugural Step 2 season where Wanderers reached the play-off semi-final’s, a highlight from that campaign which will continue to live long in the memory of all supporters will be Niall’s goal scored in the 0-4 FA Trophy 3rd Round Replay win over Stockport County – showing brilliant composure to finish off a superb one-touching passing move from back to front, often cited as Wanderers greatest goal.
After the curtailed Covid season of 20/21, Niall continued to be a regular starter in the Wanderers side which would ultimately go on to secure promotion to the National League. In addition to his all round play, Niall would chip in with keys goals through the course of the campaign, notably in the 2-2 draw away to Hemel Hempstead and in both victories over Havant & Waterlooville during the festive period. Heartbreakingly, after a season of such consistancy, Niall would miss the infamous play-off wins against Oxford City and Ebbsfleet United due to injury.
Returning for the beginning of Wanderers maiden season in the National League, Niall continued to be one of the first name’s on the starting team sheet as the club began to face such sides as Chesterfield, Notts County and Wrexham, and Niall scored what would we be his only goal of that historic campaign away to Scunthorpe United in the dramatic 3-2 defeat at Glanford Park in September 2022.
Amidst the squad changes of recent years as the football club has embraced more of a full-time training model and set-up, Niall has remained an important player with his professionalism, character and versatility as a player, and still very much leading the way when it comes to sheer work rate and industry on matchday, despite suffering injury setbacks in recent years.
A very popular player amongst Wanderers supporters, and becoming somewhat of a cult-figure to wider audiences as well through the Bunch Of Amateurs documentary series (!), Niall leaves Dorking Wanderers at the conclusion of this current season having made 272 appearances across all competitions for the club.
Part of two historic promotion winning sides, and scorer of arguably the club’s greatest goal, Niall has truly cemented his place as a Dorking Wanderers legend.
Grateful for Niall’s efforts through the years and gutted to see him move on from the club, Manager Marc White adds the following:
“I want to thank Niall for being such a huge part of our journey – it’s heartbreaking for me to see legacy Wanderers players move on, and it really is a case of all good things must come to an end. We are gutted to lose Niall, and his Mum, Natalie, who has been an avid matchday volunteer and part of our team as well for so many years. Niall has played in some of our biggest matches across the country, including live on television, and it’s weird to look back and think that we first saw Niall play at Westhhumble against us for Leatherhead, and with his relentless running we felt this is someone we need to sign for our journey moving forward. Niall is a gentleman, a lifelong Wanderer, and I am absolutely devastated to see him go.”
Everyone at Dorking Wanderers sincerely thanks Niall for all his efforts throughout his 8 years with the club. We hope as many supporters as possible can join us at Meadowbank for this Wednesday’s play-off eliminator against Maidenhead United, where there will be a special presentation to Niall prior to kick-off.