Non-league superfan legally changes name to Dorking Wanderers FC

October 01, 2026 • 0 • min read

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Dorking Wanderers superfan legally changes name to Keith Dorking Wanderers FC Thripp

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Keith Thripp legally changed his name to Keith Dorking Wanderers FC Thripp.
The 64-year-old fan had Marc White's signature tattooed onto his leg.
Dorking Wanderers rewarded his loyalty with a signed 2026/27 home shirt.

A Dorking Wanderers supporter has taken his devotion to the National League South club to an extraordinary level after legally changing his name to include the club and having manager Marc White's signature permanently tattooed onto his leg.

Keith Thripp, 64, officially changed his name from Keith Philip Thripp to Keith Dorking Wanderers FC Thripp on 10 September 2026.

The Portsmouth-based painter and decorator told SunSport that the idea came to him one morning whilst preparing for work and looking around his bedroom, which was filled with Dorking memorabilia.

I got up for work one morning, looked at an awful lot of Dorking memorabilia hanging in my bedroom, and thought, "I'm going to change my name to Dorking Wanderers."

He then went online, paid £60 for the deed poll process and made the change official.

From YouTube viewer to Dorking Wanderers superfan

Thripp's connection with Dorking began around three years ago after he discovered the club through their Dorking Uncovered YouTube documentary series.

I had fallen out of love with football until I saw Marc and the Wanderers on YouTube... and that's where it all started for me.

It was just the family atmosphere, the environment, the welcome that you get. Marc comes over and says hello to you. It's about being made to feel appreciated and part of the journey. I love it.

That connection eventually led Thripp to offer his professional skills to the club.

As a painter and decorator, he volunteered his services to help improve areas around Meadowbank and save the club money.

I thought, "I like what this guy's saying," because to me, Marc is like the modern-day Brian Clough.

Because I'm a decorator, I sent them a message saying, "Do you need any help with anything? I'd be more than willing to help free of charge, just to help the club on their journey to the EFL."

Thripp subsequently painted the reception and communal areas at the club.

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Marc White tattoo takes another step

The name change was not the first permanent tribute Thripp had made to the Wanderers.

A year earlier, he had a tattoo of White, the club's founder, chairman and manager.

When Thripp met White at Meadowbank in September, he asked the manager to sign the tattoo.

White duly obliged.

Thripp then went directly to a tattoo artist and had the autograph permanently inked over the existing tattoo.

I got him to autograph it. The same day, I went straight to the tattooist and got that tattooed over!

I sent him a picture and he said, "Oh my Lord, that is next level."

Dorking Wanderers reward their devoted supporter

Thripp was invited to Meadowbank on 24 September to meet the team and watch a training session.

During his visit, he joined the club for an interview before spending time with players and staff.

White reportedly described Thripp as a "legend" and signed the documents as an official witness to his name change.

The club then presented Thripp with a 2026/27 Dorking home shirt signed by the entire squad and White.

Dorking also recognised his extraordinary commitment with what the club described as a historic "lifetime contract" - a fitting gesture for a supporter who has effectively made the Wanderers part of his identity.

Introducing: 'KEITH DORKING WANDERERS FC THRIPP' 🙋‍♂️

Watch as Marc White meets the super fan who changed his name to match the club’s and TATTOOED the Gaffer onto his leg!

Read the full story, link in the replies ⬇️#DWFC | 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/FT0kLNvq3U
— Dorking Wanderers FC (@DorkingWDRS) October 1, 2026

A three-hour round trip for every home match

Thripp lives in Portsmouth, meaning his trips to Meadowbank involve a roughly three-hour round journey.

Despite the distance, he says the relationship between supporters, players and staff is what keeps him coming back.

What I like is that there's no "them and us." We're all united together.

The players come to say hello to you, Marc White takes time out to say hello. The standard of football is exciting, fast, and furious.

He also believes Dorking's ambitions make the journey worthwhile.

The club have set their sights on reaching the English Football League, with Thripp determined to remain part of the journey.

They want to be in the EFL in five years and that's their goal. I'm on the journey with them, brother.

For a supporter who has changed his legal name, donated his professional skills and permanently tattooed the manager's signature onto his leg, there is little doubt about just how far that journey has already taken him.