Dorking Wanderers have confirmed that manager Marc White has received a six-game touchline suspension for comments he made on a podcast regarding women drivers.
White, who founded the non-league side in 1999 with a group of friends, will miss the start of the 2025/26 National League South campaign following the incident.
Dorking released a short statement on Sunday morning to confirm the news.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they wrote: "Following (intended fun) comments made on a podcast regarding women drivers, First Team Manager Marc White has received a six-game touchline suspension to be served from the beginning of the league season."
Advert
It is unclear exactly which comments the club are referring to, but the 51-year-old did make the following statement while appearing in a video on YouTube channel Under The Cosh in February.
Asked if he was still giving referees "a bit of verbal", White replied: “Fantastic record last year. I think 12-stadium ban it was in total, which beat my previous best.
“This year, I’ve gone easy. Obviously, there are more women referees now, so you have to pay a bit more respect. Do you know what I mean? You have to pay a bit more respect like... help them park. Do you know what I mean?
He added: "I’m getting a bit better.”
White has received multiple suspensions over the years. Back in 2023, he was handed an eight-game stadium ban after being sent off just 16 minutes into a clash against York City
That being said, the manager claims he has found a way of secretly bypassing the punishments.
“You’re not allowed anywhere near the ground on a matchday so you have to watch it from the hotel or the player’s bus. A lot of managers go in disguises, that’s a well-known thing," he said on the Under The Cosh podcast.
Asked if he’s ever done that, White replied: “A lot of people I know have - it’s an easy thing to do. But I’ve behaved this time around, taken it like a man. If you get caught you’d just get f***ed even more.
"The FA are transitioning from traffic wardens to a gestapo or something. Everything’s about suspensions, bans and fines.”
He added: "I think if you’re going to do it, be a mascot. Because everyone’s scared of the f***ers aren’t they? People told me for the last game ‘Marc go and sit in the corner dressed as the Dorking cockerel, no one will go near you.’”
Topics: Non-League
Jack Kenmare