VMI Soccer Competes In UK

Keydets Embark On International Partnership

The Virginia Military Institute men’s soccer team and the Dorking Wanderers Football Club in England announced a multi-year partnership in mid-March.

A VMI press release posted on March 19 stated that this is understood to be the first time a British club has had a direct partnership with a U.S. college or university. The club is based in Surrey, England.

The VMI men’s soccer team recently took a trip to England and competed in two games. On Thursday, March 28, the Keydets suffered a 3-1 loss to Dorking, but they bounced back with a 4-0 win over Bracknell Town Football Club two days later.

After the trip, VMI head coach Nick Regan, entering his third year as the Keydets’ head coach, reflected on the experience.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our players,” said Regan. “Over the past two years, we have worked incredibly hard to make this program more competitive both on and off the field. This trip was a reward for the efforts of our players who last year won the most games for VMI in 17 years.”

Last fall, the Keydets went 5-14-0 overall and 0-5-0 in the Southern Conference, falling to Furman 4-1 in the first round of the conference tournament.

“I am incredibly thankful to our alumni, whose generosity made this a reality,” added Regan. “To be able to take the players to the area of the UK where I grew up, play high-level teams, and attend an international game at Wembley Stadium was a special experience.”

Regan, who was born in Surrey, added that taking a team on a foreign tour “is usually reserved for teams competing for national championships. We want to create an elite NCAA DI experience in our program, and this tour was just one area of a bigger plan to put VMI soccer on the map.”

The Dorking Wanderers have achieved remarkable success, securing a British record 12 promotions since forming in 1999. The club has climbed from the seventeenth tier of English football to the fifth tier, currently competing in the National League.

Marc White is the founder, owner and manager of Dorking. Under White’s leadership, Dorking is now one of the most recognizable teams outside of the Premier League and was recently featured on the popular FX show, Welcome to Wrexham Season 2.

Excited about the partnership, the Dorking Wanderers’ executive director, Kris Lea, said, “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with VMI, and the reciprocal opportunities this will present for both our academy students and the VMI players. From the moment I met Nick [Regan], I could see that his enthusiasm for the game, and player development both on and off the field, were nothing short of inspiring, and this is epitomized by the success he has deservedly enjoyed since he took up his role overseeing VMI men’s soccer.”

Lea said the Dorking Wanderers “have no doubt that this visit will be the first of many visits in either direction as our two organizations embark on this unique partnership.”

As of late, VMI men’s soccer has seen a resurgence in form. Regan recently led the team to its best season in 17 years. VMI competes in NCAA Division I, the highest level of college soccer in the United States.

“Together with our partners in Dorking, we are setting a new standard for how collegiate programs provide pathways and experiences for its players and coaches, while simultaneously expanding opportunities for [Dorking Wanderers Football Club] players and staff,” said Regan. “On a personal note, I first visited the original Meadowbank in 2002 to watch my brother play, so to lead a team out there over 20 years later will be a special moment.”

The partnership will provide pathways and guidance for Dorking Academy players to study and play in the U.S., as well as giving VMI players opportunities to train in the UK. Coaches from both teams will share resources and will periodically travel to observe each other’s programming.

The Dorking Wanderers’ director of football and education, Jordan Clark, said, “This collaboration marks an exciting opportunity for both clubs to exchange expertise, resources, and talent, fostering mutual growth and success on and off the field. We look forward to a fruitful partnership ahead.”