End of an era at Hawks as former Pompey midfielder Wes Fogden signs for Dorking

The decision to allow Wes Fogden to leave Hawks has signalled the end of an era at Westleigh Park.
Wes Fogden, left, in action for Hawks in 2019/20. Photo by Dave HainesWes Fogden, left, in action for Hawks in 2019/20. Photo by Dave Haines
Wes Fogden, left, in action for Hawks in 2019/20. Photo by Dave Haines

The former Pompey midfielder was the last remaining player who appeared for the club in their back-to-back promotion-winning seasons.

Fogden helped Lee Bradbury’s side to the Isthmian League Premier title in 2016/17 and the National League South title 12 months later.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the 32-year-old has now been deemed surplus to requirements by boss Paul Doswell ahead of the 2020/21 National League South season.

As a result, Fogden joins three former Hawks colleagues at divisional rivals Dorking Wanderers - Ed Harris, Jason Prior and Alfie Rutherford.

In April 2019 Fogden had been linked with a move to Dorking ahead of the Surrey club’s first season in the sixth tier.

His departure means every member of Doswell’s first team squad has been signed since he took charge in May 2019.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There were only four players left from the club’s debut 2018/19 National League campaign last term.

Rutherford was sold to Dorking in early June, and Brad Tarbuck and Chris Paul were both released last month after Hawks’ play-off semi-final home loss to Dartford.

That left Fogden as the last link to the Bradbury era, and now he has joined a club who are expected to be challenging for promotion to the top tier of non-league football when the season starts on October 10.

Even though Fogden was not out of contract, there was no fee involved in his move to Dorking.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Doswell told The News earlier this week that he was about to lose ‘one or two’ players as he worked around a budget 30 per cent less than in 2019/20.

Fogden, as one of the senior players, would have been among the higher earners at Westleigh Park.

His injury record might also have been taken into consideration.

Fogden left the pro game four years ago to return to non-league football in a bid to protect his body.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He re-signed for Hawks in the summer of 2016 after deciding to leave Yeovil Town - then in League 2 - with a year still left on his contract.

‘It just wasn't for me. My body was just telling me,’ he said at the time. ‘The last two seasons had been tough with injuries.’

Fogden missed a large chunk of 2018/19 through injury. After being injured against Aldershot in early September, he didn’t play again until Boxing Day.

Last season, again due to injury, he only played twice between September 21 and December 21.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite that, Dorking boss Marc White revealed he was ‘surprised’ that Fogden had become available.

‘Wes wanted a new challenge,’ said White. ‘He is good friends with Alfie Rutherford, Jason Prior and Ed Harris from their time at Havant and they spoke highly of the club and so we heard he might be available.

‘Wes is a Football League player but he’s had various injury problems in the past and decided to go part-time.

‘He is a very attacking midfielder and can play more than one area and could even play up front.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘He is a real first-class signing for a club like us and would be everyone’s National League South team of the year – he was in ours when we got asked to pick it.

‘He is an outstanding player at this level.

‘We are over the moon to have signed him.’

Over two spells at Westleigh Park, Fogden made 259 appearances and scored 51 goals.

Doswell has recently signed a ready-made replacement in the shape of Billy Clifford from Wealdstone.

Clifford made his Hawks debut in last weekend’s 3-1 friendly win at AFC Totton, a match Fogden was not involved in.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dorking, like Hawks, were beaten in the NL South play-off semi-finals last month. While Hawks were losing to Dartford, Dorking suffered a 3-2 loss at eventual play-off winners Weymouth.

White has responded to that loss with several experienced signings.

Apart from Fogden, he has also brought in two defenders with vast experience in the pro game.

Barry Fuller - who turns 36 next month - has made over 400 EFL appearances for Gillingham, Barnet and AFC Wimbledon.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He made 30 starts in League 1 last season, so has dropped down three levels to continue his career.

Left-back Callum Kennedy, 30, is also no stranger to the EFL - having made over 200 appearances for Swindon, AFC Wimbledon, Leyton Orient and Scunthorpe.

White has also signed ex-Bognor midfielder Kane Wills, 30, from NLS rivals Eastbourne Borough.