Woking FC v Aldershot Town FC by Hashtag Digital Media

W K ING 2023/24 #16

V. ALDERSHoT ToWN MONDAY 1ST JANUARY 2024 KICK OFF: 15:00

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MANAGER

MIcHAEL doYle

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CEO NOTES

JOHN kATZ G

reetings and welcome back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium for this afternoon’s matchup between your Cards and our visitors from Aldershot Town. I hope that you all have had a joyous festive season thus far and that today we’ll be able to start the new year off properly. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I’d like to welcome the Shots’ Board and supporters to the Laithwaite for another proper derby. Please enjoy the match responsibly.

“The Michael Doyle era began just a couple of matches ago, and the results and the improved performances have been positive – especially on the defensive side of the pitch.”

The Michael Doyle era began just a couple of matches ago, and the results and the improved performances have been positive – especially on the defensive side of the pitch. A home 0-0 draw to a scrappy Maidenhead side followed by another end-to-end 0-0 draw to Aldershot on

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“Another end-to-end 0-0 draw to Aldershot on Boxing Day have shown the direction we are going, and it’s been so much better to watch.” Boxing Day have shown the direction we are going, and it’s been so much better to watch. Including Ian Dyer’s last game as our Caretaker Manager, we’ve earned 5 points from 9 and remain unbeaten in 3. Remember… Rome wasn’t built in a day, it was built with stones, wood, marble, Roman concrete and… yes… brick by brick. And speaking of stones, bricks, concrete and marble… the gaffer and his team have been

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very active in the recruitment market ahead of the January window, and the search for players to help push us on has been far and wide. Lastly, there should be a great lift in the lads today as we welcome one of our midfield engines back to the squad. He’s been missed greatly and hopefully can put in some positive moments as the match progresses. As always, thanks for your continued support. It means the world to our entire Club. Always remember that the complaint (and compliment) line is always open. Just email me at john.katz@wokingfc.co.uk and we can take in your feedback. Or, as the kids say, you can slide into my DMs on Twitter at @jekatz33. Best, John Katz Chief Executive

In Safe HandS As a reminder, it is our goal to ensure that all supporters feel safe and welcome at the Laithwaite Community Stadium. To that end, on 11 December 2021, the Club launched the “In Safe Hands” programme to help our fans report racist, sexist, homophobic, or other abusive language simply and anonymously. If you hear any abusive language, experience it yourself or if you or someone you see feels / looks threatened, you can text the Club anonymously and the message will be monitored by our Safety Officer during the match. Simply text WFC (followed by the nature of your concern and location) to 66777 and we will address your concerns. Example: If you hear racial abuse whilst sitting in the KRE, please send the following text to 66777: “WFC racial abuse centre section of KRE.”

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AHeaD OF THE GAME

Woking vs. Aldershot Town Vanarama National League 1st January 2024 15:00 Kick-Off

Tickets for the New Year's Day derby fixture against Aldershot Town have sold out.

Away supporter turnstiles - white entry opens two hours before kick-off.

The match will take place at the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Monday 1st January 2024, 15:00 kick-off.

Supporters who have purchased a hospitality package will have green entry and should enter through the Guest Entrance, Kingfield Road.

Last season, the Cardinals came out as memorable 4-1 winners, with Rhys Browne, Jim Kellermann and Padraig Amond the scorers. This is an all-ticket match. Tickets will not be available on the gate.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION All fans are advised to read our Ground Rules and Regulations for Fan Behaviour at the Laithwaite Community Stadium. The information can be found here.

ENTRY INFORMATION Please arrive as early as possible. Anyone arriving less than 30 minutes prior to the start of the match will risk missing kick-off.

Bottle tops will be removed upon entry and at catering outlets, and all prohibited items will be confiscated upon entry - this includes golf umbrellas and instruments (including drums).

Kingfield Road turnstiles – blue and yellow entry opens two-and-a-half hours before kick-off.

Please be advised that any fan caught trying to gain entry into the Laithwaite Community Stadium, or found to be responsible for deploying such items as smoke bombs, fireworks, flares or any other pyrotechnics will

Westfield Avenue turnstiles - red and orange entry opens two-and-a-half hours before kick-off.

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receive a non-negotiable lifetime ban. Note this is also a Criminal Offence and likely that culprits will receive a football banning order via the Courts. There will be no additional parking available at the ground on matchday as all spaces in our car park have been allocated. For those fans wishing to drive to the match, please park in our designated car park: Heathside Crescent (GU22 7AG). FOOD AND BEVERAGES Happy Hour is running in Cardinals Bar and the Fan Zone from 12:30 to 13:30, and then from fulltime until closure, earliest 20:00. Supporters are encouraged to use all the concessionary areas available. This includes: • Two Madri bars at the Seymours Community Stand • Hot drinks in the wooden shack next to the MKJ Kingfield Road End • Moaners' Corner Café for soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks • The new Kingfield Street menu in the Fan Zone Please use the concessionary areas throughout the match as well as pre and post-match in order to limit queues. ALDERSHOT TOWN SUPPORTER INFORMATION Aldershot Town supporters have been allocated 1,173 tickets. This includes 466 seated tickets in the Seymours Community Stand, an additional four carer seats and three wheelchair spaces, and 700 standing tickets for the Chris Lane Terrace. Away supporters will not be able to migrate from standing to the seating area and vice versa when watching the game, and will be wrist-banded on entry dependant of

standing or seating to easily differentiate tickets purchased. Any person attempting to gain admission to the ground, or found within a section of the ground without the appropriate ticket, will be refused entry or ejected and will not be eligible for a refund. Please bear this in mind when purchasing your tickets and before travelling. Visiting supporter information can be found here. MATCHDAY GUIDE Click here for information on gate opening times, food and drink facilities, the Club shop and other ticketing information. DISABLED SUPPORTERS Click here for more information.

CLUB SHOP The Club Shop is open two-and-a-half hours before kick-off, located by the Fan Zone. The shop is also open Mon - Fri, 10:00 - 16:00, upon check-in at reception. TICKETING INFORMATION All Woking FC Season Ticket holders can use their Season Ticket card to enter Laithwaite Community Stadium for all Vanarama National League matches. Supporters with individual match tickets can use the e-ticket they purchased which was emailed from noreply@ktckts.com. Such tickets can be scanned on a smartphone or when printed. Any assistance needed for matchday please contact tickets@wokingfc.co.uk, call 01483967229, or come to reception Mon - Fri, 09:00 - 17:00, or matchdays, 09:00 - half-time.

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SocIAL

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February's visit from Hartlepool United will be shown live on TNT Sports.v

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Over 900 at the Rec. Immense support. Onwards, Cardinals.

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We done well. We can do better. Another derby without defeat. Onto next week’s.

Leaving the Rec with a clean sheet and point.

Drowning out the drum. Unbelievable support. Thank you, Cardinals.

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Supplied by ProDirect Clubhouse, the shirts will be available in-store at the Laithwaite Community Stadium for the home match.

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ALDERSHOT TOWN

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A RELATIVELY RECENT RIVALRY Despite being only eleven miles apart the rivalry between Woking and Aldershot is a relatively recent one. As with the demise of Addlestone in the eighties and the arrival of Adie Cowler, Woking benefitted from the demise of Aldershot in 1992 with the arrival of David Puckett and more importantly Kevan Brown. Woking’s best years coincided with Aldershot having to start in the Isthmian League Division Three. Indeed, an Aldershot Message Board was bemoaning that, ‘a number of Aldershot fans deserted the club for Woking or Farnborough’. Unbelievably the first competitive fixture between the two clubs was in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round in October 1998. The Shots had risen to the Ryman League Premier Division, while Woking were beginning to stutter in the Conference. A crowd

of 6,870 at The Rec. saw the Hampshire outfit, including ex-Cards Colin Fielder and Terry Howard, deservedly draw 0-0 in a game of few chances. A crowd of 3,896 turned up at Kingfield for the replay and witnessed Gary Abbott give Aldershot a half-time lead, before Scot Steele and Darren Hay turned the game around, enabling the Cards to reach the 1st round for the eleventh consecutive season. THE CUP RIVALRY CONTINUES In February 2000 the rivals were drawn together again, this time in the FA Trophy 4th Round at Kingfield. Grant Payne had swapped sides three months earlier in a fire-sale for £20,000. 4,973, Woking’s highest home competition attendance, saw another initial goalless stalemate (in front of Charlie Mortimore who played for both sides),

L AST 5 SEASONS 18th - 22/23

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20th - 21/22

15th - 20/21

18th - 19/20

21st - 18/19

before a Darren Hay lone strike settled the tie in the replay in front of 5,524. So, Woking could still claim the bragging rights for a while longer. Interestingly, Woking had not been able to offer Roscoe DSane a contract in Autumn 2001, just as they broke their transfer record twice in a week on Patmore and Sharpling. DSane was then snapped up by the Shots in 2002, where he then went on to be Aldershot’s top scorer for two seasons and became a regular in the England non-league team, even wearing the captain’s armband. This highlighted a changing of the guard. THE LEAGUE RIVALRY BEGINS In March 2002 Terry Brown took over as manager at The Rec. Brown, who had built a reputation at Hayes for “unearthing a regular supply of talented players, at little cost to his club” (George Burnett), would perhaps have been a perfect fit for the Cards at that time. As it was, he built a new team and led the Shots to the Isthmian League Championship in his first full season, winning it by thirteen points. Woking installed Glenn Cockerill in charge in October, following a disastrous ‘Black September’, just managing to avoid relegation on the final day of the 2002/03 season. The clubs

would at last initiate a league rivalry. The neighbour’s first ever league meeting took place in Hampshire in August 2003. Woking had just gone full-time but ex-Card Roscoe DSane helped the part-time Shots to their first victory over Woking, in front of 4,637, to extend the Shots perfect start to four games. This was despite being reduced to ten men after ex-Card Nick Roddis was sent off. Scott Canham netted for the Cards. This was the start of a league dominance over their Surrey rivals that continued for two decades. The return game at Kingfield was drawn, thanks to a last-minute equaliser, Woking had been two goals down within fifteen minutes. Aldershot went on to make the play-offs, finishing nine points and four places above Woking, losing to Shrewsbury on penalties in the final. Shots fans could therefore say that after twelve long years, normal service had been resumed. ALDERSHOT GET THE UPPER HAND Aldershot followed Woking by going full-time at the start of the 2004/05 season, and the clubs met at Kingfield on the August Bank Holiday. Woking were keen to build on a ninth place finish the previous season. In a hotly contested

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derby Steve Ferguson gave Woking an early lead but, for the third time in five games, the Cards were reduced to ten men, just before half-time. Tim Sills levelled on the hour before Justin Richards joined Scott Canham for an early shower. The nine men held out until injury time, when a Darren Barnard free kick found the roof of the net. The return game, in late March, saw both clubs in the top five and pushing for play-off spots behind run away leaders Barnet. The game was played on a Sunday as Sky had chosen it for live coverage, unfortunately only one team turned up and the Shots took full advantage of Jon Boardman being sent off, a 4-0 score-line was the first of three straight defeats for the Cards as they fell away to miss the play-offs by four points. The Shots made the playoffs again, but this time lost to Carlisle, who, like Shrewsbury the previous season, went on to gain promotion. WOKING FIGHT BACK In 2005/06 Aldershot made a very poor start to the season, but due to various cup replays the sides did not meet until March. The Shots were improving but still had the second worst away record in the Conference, they were fortunate however to visit Kingfield between Woking’s two FA Trophy semifinal matches. Nick Crittenden and Darren Barnard goals virtually had the game won by half-time as the Shots registered their third consecutive league win to go above Woking in the table for the first time that season. Gary MacDonald’s second-half reply was not enough, as Woking continued their run of five league games without a win. As a consolation the Cards won both FA Trophy semi-final games. The return game in late April finished all square, and Woking made use of their games in hand to finish two points and two places above their Hampshire rivals. Woking’s first league victory over the Shots came in front of the Sky cameras, at Kingfield in October 2006. Both clubs had identical records just outside the play-off places and the Cards produced their best performance of the season against an Aldershot side wearing Woking’s third strip. This triumph saw Woking climb to fifth place, a high for the season, four consecutive league defeats followed as the Cards fell away badly.

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In March Daniel Webb put Woking ahead at The Rec within eight minutes of his debut, he also set up Craig McAllister for the Cards’ second, before McAllister was later sent off. However, two goalkeeping errors by James Bittner allowed the Shots to level twice and the honours were shared. By the end of the month Glenn Cockerill had been sacked and Terry Brown had stood down for personal reasons. ALDERSHOT GAIN PROMOTION In Aldershot’s promotion season the sides met four times. Gary Waddock took over in Summer 2007 and put together a young championship winning team. Woking appointed Frank Gray. A late, single goal was enough to win at Kingfield on Boxing Day, in front of Woking’s third biggest ever league crowd at the time, boosted by 1,500 Shots fans. This put Aldershot seven points clear at the top. The ‘double’ was completed on New Year’s Day with another narrow win. The Shots went on to complete the quadruple over the Cards, knocking Woking out of the FA Trophy and the Setanta Shield too. The Rivalry Renewed Five seasons in the football league came to an end with financial problems, administration, relegation and a ten-point deduction for the 2013/14 season. The rivalry was renewed when Garry Hill’s Cards visited Hampshire on the August Bank Holiday, it took just twenty-two seconds for Andy Scott’s Shots to assert their superiority again, Brett Williams, of course, added a second as Aldershot reduced their ten-point deduction to three points by the end of August. A late Woking penalty was little consolation. The return game at Kingfield was staged on Easter Monday, and produced Woking’s second biggest ever league crowd at the time, 183 fewer than the then record against Wycombe. There was a repeat of the earlier score-line and Brett Williams scored again. Woking, despite this hoodoo, finished ten places and seventeen points above their Hampshire rivals but still only had one win in twelve league attempts against their Hampshire neighbours. THAT GEZ SOLE GOAL Woking had their best season for seventeen years in 2014/15, finishing 7th. Aldershot struggled to 18th, missing relegation by just eight points. More

unusual than that was the fact that Woking won at The Rec for the first time in a league match. In the 70th minute Gez Sole struck that infamous 35yard free-kick into the top left-hand corner of Phil Smith’s net to earn the three points. In December, the Cards were sitting in the last play-off place when they hosted Aldershot, who had just lost four games in a row – you know what comes next! A committed Shots team rose to the occasion against a disappointing Cards, racing into a two-goal halftime lead, including one from Brett Williams again. A late Jack Marriott reply was too little too late. The following 2015/16 season Woking fell to halfway in the table, finishing above the Shots, for a third consecutive season, by five points thanks to doing the ‘double’ over their Hampshire neighbours for the first time. The matches took place over the Christmas and New Year period, a John Goddard strike settling the game in Hampshire, he then opened the scoring at Kingfield before setting up Joe Quigley for the second. Rhys Browne hammered in a late reply past Jake Cole, but the woodwork helped Woking retain the six points. A PAINFUL PATTERN EMERGES In 2016/17 Woking fell a further six places versus the previous season, avoiding relegation by just three points. A mid-table Aldershot hosted Woking at The Rec, live on BT Sport again, the early kick-off seemed to disrupt the Cards as they never turned up and many of their fans had left by half-time. Just six days later Woking had the chance to gain revenge at Kingfield, a committed display by both teams was all square going into the final minute, of course Scott Rendell had scored against his previous club, but Max Kretzschmar had equalised, then Anthony Edgar found himself clear, through one on one with Jake Cole – he missed. The ball went straight up the other end Jake Gallagher poked home an injurytime winner. This was Gary Waddock’s first season back at the club and these derby wins helped the Shots climb into the play-off places, pipping Dover by three points. However, a disappointing first leg against Tranmere put an end to promotion aspirations. For the third consecutive season the clubs met on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, Aldershot were sitting in fifth place, exactly where they finished the

season, and Woking’s season was falling apart after a promising start under new manager Anthony Limbrick. The Cards had just been knocked out of the FA Cup, in a 2nd round replay, but had failed to win in December. There was a repeat of the previous season in that Aldershot won, but the margin of victory was halved. The game at Kingfield produced a fifth consecutive 2-1 score-line, four of them in the Shots favour, as they completed a second consecutive ‘double’ over the Cards. Aldershot made the play-offs for a fourth time, this time losing to Ebbsfleet on penalties. Woking continued their disastrous run and were tamely relegated. ALDERSHOT KEEP THE UPPER HAND Woking returned after one season, gaining promotion via the play-offs under new manager Alan Dowson. Aldershot had a surprisingly disappointing season and finished in the relegation places. However, the Shots were saved from the drop due to Gateshead being demoted due to financial irregularities. This was only decided in June, disrupting the Shots’ recruitment for 2019/20 season, Danny Searle had taken over as manager but got off to a slow start due to this disruption. Alan Dowson was riding the momentum that promotion brings, retaining the majority of the previous season’s squad. Despite this the early season encounter in Surrey saw Aldershot withstand a first-half onslaught, Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong then scored on the break for the visitors, and they subsequently held out comfortably. Woking went on to top the league for the first quarter of the season before falling away, Aldershot, after a slow start, began climbing the table but the return game was never played due to the season being curtailed. Both clubs missed out on the play-offs. In October 2020, the clubs were drawn together in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round for a second time. The previous cup encounter had seen the highest attendance between the clubs, this saw the lowest, zero, as the game was played behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions. An early goal from Mo Bettamer looked to be putting the Shots on their way to a sixth successive victory over their Surrey neighbours, but just before half-time Josh Davison

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equalised. Then hesitation from Shots ‘keeper Mitch Walker allowed Max Kretzschmar to follow up his own heavy touch to slide in the winner and give Woking a 1st Round appearance at Gillingham. For a fifth time, the league derbies took place over the Christmas and New Year period but unfortunately the clubs were denied the muchneeded revenue from bumper crowds. On Boxing Day, at The Rec, Woking received their customary festive stuffing. This was followed up with another Aldershot league victory at Kingfield, thanks to a late Toby Edser cross/shot. The fans returned the following season, and how. Woking broke the run of defeats, struggling to obtain a last-minute draw against ten-men. Then at Kingfield, a new stadium record league crowd of 5,171 was set. After an encouraging start the Cards were 2-1 ahead with minutes remaining, but an incredible implosion allowed the Shots not only to equalise but steal all three points in injury time. Last season saw Woking complete the first home and away win double in this fixture since the 2015/16 season. A late Inih Effiong penalty was not enough to prevent the Cards from clinching a 2-1 victory at The Rec on Boxing Day, and another stadium league record crowd saw an emphatic 4-1 win on New Years’ Day. A Woking brace early in the second-half putting the game well beyond the Shots. Boxing Day last week saw an entertaining game at The Rec, with both sides missing good chances to change the final 0-0 scoreline.

Previous Meetings 1998/99

Aldershot 0 Woking 0 1999/00

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Woking 0 Aldershot 0 Aldershot 0 Woking 1

2003/04

Woking 2 Aldershot 2 Aldershot 2 Woking 1

2004/05

Woking 1 Aldershot 2 Aldershot 4 Woking 0

2005/06

Woking 1 Aldershot 2 Aldershot 1 Woking 1

2006/07

Woking 2 Aldershot 0 Aldershot 2 Woking 2

2007/08

Woking 0 Aldershot 1 Woking 2 Aldershot 4 Aldershot 2 Woking 2

2013/14

Woking 1 Aldershot 2 Aldershot 2 Woking 1

2014/15

Woking 1 Aldershot 2 Aldershot 0 Woking 1

2015/16

Woking 2 Aldershot 1 Aldershot 0 Woking 1

2016/17

Woking 1 Aldershot 2 Aldershot 4 Woking 0

2017/18

Woking 1 Aldershot 2 Aldershot 3 Woking 1

PLAYERS WHO PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS Charlie Mortimore, Geoff Chapple, Paul Shrubb, Tony Joyce, Dave Puckett, Trevor Senior, Kevan Brown, Steve Perkins, Colin Fielder, Terry Howard, Grant Payne, Matt Crossley, Ian Simpemba, Brett Johnson, Mark Watson, Nick Roddis, Roscoe DSane, Jamie Taylor, Marvin Morgan, Rob Gier, Josh Payne, Brett Williams, Ross Worner, Bradley Bubb, Scott Rendell, Damon Lathrope, Dan Holman, Jake Cole, John Goddard, Chikke Kandi, Toby Edser, Jermaine Anderson, Inih Effiong, Rhys Browne, Manny Oyeleke, Alfie Pavey, Lewis Walker

Woking 2 Aldershot 1

2019/20

Woking 0 Aldershot 1

2020/21

Aldershot 1 Woking 2 Woking 0 Aldershot 1

2020/21

Aldershot 3 Woking 0

2021/22

Woking 2 Aldershot 3 Aldershot 1 Woking 1

2022/23

Woking 4 Aldershot 1 Aldershot 1 Woking 2

2023/24

Aldershot 0 Woking 0

WOKING FC

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HIDDEN DISABILITY INITIATIVE

SUNFloWER laNYARDS

oking Football Club is proud to announce the launch of a hidden disability initiative for matchdays at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

There will be a stall within the Fan Zone at this Saturday's fixture against Solihull Moors for supporters to access further information about the programme, raise awareness, and ask any questions.

Globally, one in six of us live with a disability. Whilst some disabilities are visible, many have non-visible disabilities that are not immediately apparent to others; the most widely known being Dementia or Alzheimer’s.

The Cards Trust has kindly provided 100 sunflower lanyards that will be made available free of charge to any supporters or their carers that request one, to help encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding. The lanyards will first be available within the Fan Zone and then from the club shop and reception.

Without a visual cue, it can be difficult for others to identify, acknowledge, or understand the daily barriers faced by people living with an invisible disability. For some people, this can make it hard to understand and believe that someone with a non-visible disability or condition genuinely needs support.

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A sunflower suggests happiness, positivity, and strength as well as growth and confidence. The lanyards are universally known and supporters will already be aware of their promotion at airports, railway stations, shopping centres and more.

DATE

OPPONENT

AUGUST Sat Aug 05 Sat Aug 12 Tue Aug 15 Sat Aug 19 Sat Aug 26 Mon Aug 28

Kidderminster Harriers Altrincham Rochdale Barnet Gateshead Dorking Wanderers

SEPTEMBER Sat Sept 02 Sat Sept 09 Sat Sept 16 Tue Sept 19 Sat Sept 23 Tue Sept 26 Sat Sept 30 OCTOBER Tue Oct 03 Sat Oct 07 Sat Oct 14 Tue Oct 17 Sat Oct 21 Tue Oct 24 Sat Oct 28

Maidenhead United Solihull Moors Hartlepool United Ebbsfleet United York City Wealdstone AFC Fylde

FC Halifax Town Southend United Hemel Hempstead (FAC) Hemel Hempstead (FAC) Dagenham & Redbridge Eastleigh Bromley

NOVEMBER Sat Nov 04 Ramsgate (FAC) Sat Nov 11 Oxford City Sat Nov 18 Oldham Athletic Tue Nov 21 Chesterfield Sat Nov 25 Boreham Wood DECEMBER Sat Dec 02 Sat Dec 09 Sat Dec 16 Sat Dec 23 Tue Dec 26

Gateshead Weston-super-Mare (FAT R3) Dorking Wanderers Maidenhead United Aldershot Town

JANUARY Mon Jan 01 Aldershot Town Sat Jan 06 Solihull Moors Tue Jan 16 Gateshead Sat Jan 20 Oxford City Tue Jan 23 Chesterfield Sat Jan 27 Oldham Athletic FEBRUARY Sat Feb 03 Sat Feb 10 Sat Feb 17 Tue Feb 20 Sat Feb 24

Boreham Wood Hartlepool United FC Halifax Town Ebbsfleet United Wealdstone

MARCH Sat Mar 02 Sat Mar 09 Tue Mar 12 Sat Mar 16 Sat Mar 23 Fri Mar 29

Kidderminster Harriers Altrincham Rochdale Barnet Southend United Eastleigh

APRIL Mon Apr 01 Bromley Sat Apr 06 Dagenham & Redbridge Sat Apr 13 York City Sat Apr 20 AFC Fylde

FIXTURES & RESULTS 2023/24

RESULT

0-0 2-3 3-2 2-0 1-3 2-0

0-0 1-1 0-2 1-1 1-2 0-1 2-0

1-2 2-0 0-0 2-0 2-1 0-1 0-1

2-1 3-2 0-1 0-2 4-2

P-P 3-2 1-2 0-0 0-0

APPEARANCES

GLS

TUNJI AKINOLA

21(5)

2(0)

PADRAIG AMOND

25(4)

6(0)

JERMAINE ANDERSON

3(2)

0(0)

ALEXIS ANDRE JR.

5(0)

0(0)

NANA BOATENG

2(6)

0(0)

ZAK BRADSHAW

16(3)

1(0)

RHYS BROWNE

13(2)

3(0)

JOSH CASEY

24(0)

0(0)

SCOTT CUTHBERT

24(0)

2(0)

REECE GREGO-COX

7(7)

6(2)

SAM HABERGHAM

4(4)

0(0)

ROHAN INCE

14(3)

0(0)

WILL JAASKELAINEN

22(0)

0(0)

JIM KELLERMANN

18(0)

2(1)

RICKY KORBOA

6(2)

4(0)

DENNON LEWIS

15(4)

3(0)

DAN MOSS

29(0)

0(0)

TIMI ODUSINA

8(1)

0(0)

PAUL OSEW

2(0)

1(0)

MANNY OYELEKE

5(0)

0(0)

ALFIE PAVEY

6(4)

2(0)

GREG TAYLOR

16(7)

6(0)

CHARLIE WAKEFIELD

3(6)

0(0)

LUKE WILKINSON

10(3)

0(0)

MORGAN WILLIAMS

7(4)

0(0)

LEAGUE TABLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

TEAM

Pts

Chesterfield Bromley Barnet Solihull Moors Gateshead Altrincham FC Halifax Town Rochdale Aldershot Town Oldham Athletic Eastleigh Wealdstone Maidenhead United Dag & Red Southend United Hartlepool United Boreham Wood Woking York City Dorking Wanderers Oxford City Ebbsfleet United Kidderminster Harriers AFC Fylde

24 26 25 25 24 24 25 26 25 25 25 24 26 25 24 25 25 25 25 24 26 26 26 25

19 15 15 12 11 10 10 10 11 9 10 9 7 8 11 8 6 7 5 7 6 6 4 4

2 7 4 7 7 9 9 8 4 9 6 6 10 5 5 4 10 6 11 4 6 6 8 7

3 4 6 6 6 5 6 8 10 7 9 9 9 12 8 13 9 12 9 13 14 14 14 14

59 52 49 43 40 39 39 38 37 36 36 33 31 29 28 28 28 27 26 25 24 24 20 19

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ABOUT The Cards Trust (Cardinals Supporters Society) has worked with the Club to represent fans for more than a decade. The Trust is a shareholder of the Club (and owns around a quarter of it) and has a representative on the Board to put forward the fans’ views.

ordinates the activities of volunteers. Please get in touch if you would like to help on match days. JUNIOR CARDS A scheme with a range of activities for under 16s including stadium tours and competitions.

MEMBERSHIP Supporters can join The Cards Trust for just £10 per year. Information about joining is on the Trust website.

PLAYER AWARD VOTES The Fans’ Player of the Month and Player of the Season polls are conducted by the Trust.

BOOST THE BUDGET An initiative to help the Club’s playing budget with regular contributions. More than £200,000 has gone to the Club throughout the scheme.

AWAY MATCH TRAVEL The Cards Trust arranges coach travel to away matches for supporters at the lowest cost possible. If you are an advertiser that would like to sponsor the travel, please get in touch.

THE 400 CLUB A prize draw with twelve draws per year. Around £20,000 has been given to support the Club and more than £12,000 in prizes. GOLDRUSH The prize draw that gives back 50% to the lucky winner with a draw at half-time on matchday, with a minimum stake of just £1. The prizes have recently been around £400 and the winning number is announced and displayed on the digital screen at half-time. SOCIAL EVENTS AND VOLUNTEERING The Trust also organises social events and co-

Details of all coaches are available on the Trust website, where tickets can be booked online, usually up to 23:00 on the day before the match. Members and Junior Cards get discounted away match travel. SUPPORTERS’ LIAISON GROUP The SLG consults with fans (both Trust members and non-members) and the Club to improve the fan experience. Real change has been made based on ideas from the group including the successful Turner's Tannoy appeal which has financed the recent upgrade in the PA at the stadium. UPCOMING AWAY COACH TRAVEL

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THE CARDS TRUST

THIS WEEK'S UPDATES The Cards Trust are running coaches to all matches into 2024. Remember, members and Junior Cards save money on bookings with their membership! Solihull Moors - 6th January Seats available to purchase here OTHER COACHES All coaches for the remainder of the season are available to book here All travel with the Cards Trust is subject to the Cards Trust Travel Policy which is informed by legal and other restrictions. e.g. no alcohol is allowed on coaches. The policy can be viewed online on the website. Any queries should be sent to adam.bowyer@cardstrust.co.uk BOOST THE BUDGET Congratulations to the two Boost the Budget donors who have won places in the Geoff Chapple Lounge for today's match. Thank-you to everyone who supports BTB either by way if monthly contributions or one off donations. You can take part online https://www.cardstrust. co.uk/boost-the-budget-2/ or get a form from the Trust office on a match day. All monies raised go towards supporting Woking FC.

400 CLUB The 400 Club had its November draw on Monday 27th. The winners were: £100 £75 £50

Number 104 Number 34 Number 114

Stephen Carter Don Irwin Roger Sherlock

The big £500 Christmas Draw will take place soon - it's not too late to take part. Contact john. hooker@cardstrust.co.uk to take part or get additional numbers. QUIZ NIGHT We had a very successful Quiz Night that raised over £650 and was enjoyed by all that took part. Thanks to John, Mark and all those that helped to make it successful. GOLDRUSH Today’s Goldrush will be a hybrid of online and ‘at the ground’ sales. JUNIOR CARDS BIRTHDAYS Ed Jackman - 23rd December - 11 years old Ivy Greenwood - 31st December - 5 years ol

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Matchday Mascots

Our football coaching center provides football-specific coaching sessions five days a week for different ages and abilities. You’ll quickly realize how effective our football classes are in shaping your young lad into sporty individuals. The weekly session aims to develop their technical ability, movements, speed, fitness, game intelligence, and unique sportsmanship character. ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS Our coaches have vast football experience and have secured at least an FA Level 1 coaching award. Your child will get all the guidance he/she needs to develop into the football star they want to become. Our one-on-one session is bespoke and pays attention to your child’s unique talent, harnessing their best features and building them into pitch-worthy footballers. Upskill Football Coaching one-onone sessions take place at Goals in Wimbledon or Tolworth or at a local rec. upskillfootballcoaching.co.uk

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SURREY

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and all manner of Public and Private events with the following: Modern flushing chemical portable toilets with hand sanitiser units, accessible units with baby change and urinal modules also available  Comprehensively prepared units before delivery and full set up on site in agreed location / locations, inclusive of consumables and chemicals  Attendance / additional servicing during the event to keep units fresh and clean where requested  Full Public Liability Insurance Please note the toilet units must be located no more than 8m from where the truck can park in order to be serviced and each unit is circa 1.2m square (4’ x 4’) so please check the access route to where you wish the unit to be sited.

AcaDEMY T

Notable academy graduates in recent history include Woking legends Craig Ross and Joe McNerney, Wrexham's Ollie Palmer, and exChelsea and now-Reading's Jayden Wareham.

For the 2023/24 season, the youth and academy setup runs in three stages; a pre-academy for six to nine-year-olds, a youth academy for nine to 16-year-olds, and a full-time academy for talented young players above the age of 16, including an education plan.

PRE-ACADEMY The Pre-Academy is for the very youngest players, covering U7s, U8s and U9s. Meeting once a week, players train and learn in a fun and friendly environment under the watchful eye of our coaches. Players that show real talent have the opportunity to progress to Woking FC Academy Youth.

he Woking FC Academy has been operating in its current format for over a decade with the aim of helping talented young footballers make progress into the club's first team set up or in their sporting careers whilst continuing with their academic studies.

The Academy works with the Football Club's partner charitable and community organisation, Cardinals in the Community (CITC).

The Pre-Academy trains at The Winston Churchill School in Woking, Thursdays, 17:00 - 18:00.

YOUTH ACADEMY Starting with U9s and progressing through the age groups right up to U16s, players train with our Academy coaches and have the opportunity to play competitively in the Junior Premier League. Training is held twice weekly at CITC’s sports hub, within the grounds of Woking College, and matches are played on Saturdays. At this level, players are able to continue playing for their grassroots clubs. As with the main Academy, players receive a progress report twice per season, which helps identify areas of their game to work on and improve. U16s players are assessed throughout the season with a view to being invited to join Woking FC Academy. WOKING FC ACADEMY Woking FC Academy is a National League licensed academy. We aim to develop each and every player to reach their full potential, instilling ambition and a professional attitude. We work as closely as possible to Category 3 Academy standards, creating a professional environment in which players thrive. Players train 5-6 hours per week at CITC’s sports hub. Their development is supported by video analysis of training and matches, group workshops and strength and conditioning sessions. One-to-one reviews are held twice every season, along with player reports so that both the coaching staff and the players themselves have a clear focus on individual development. Woking FC Academy plays competitive matches in the U18 Isthmian League, U19 National League and also have the opportunity to play in U23 fixtures. Players in our Elite Development Plan (EDP) compete in the Tactic League and National B League. Cup competitions are a feature of the fixture calendar. Pre-season training includes friendlies and there are opportunities to travel abroad for football tours and tournaments, including the Gothia Cup. Our football timetable is planned in conjunction with players’ education. Academy players can

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choose to attend Woking College or focus on gaining the NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport, which is delivered by SCL Education at Westfield FC. Players on the EDP pathway study towards the NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (equivalent to 3 A levels) with SCL. AGE GROUP COMPETITIONS Under 23s - Second and third years (and progressing first years) Play in: Suburban Football League - Premier Division Home games: Knaphill FC, Thursdays, 19:30 Under 19s - Second and third years (and progressing first years) National League U19 Alliance - Academy South Division Home games: Westfield FC, weekdays, daytime Under 19B - predominantly U17s - first years National League U19 Alliance - Division E Woking College, weekdays, daytime Under 18s - predominantly U17s - first years Pitching In Isthmian Football League - Youth West Division Knaphill FC, Thursdays, 19:30 Players will also have the chance to represent the academy in the prestigious FA Youth Cup.

AcaDEMY BULLETIN U18S BACK TO WINNING WAYS IN THRILLING CLOSE TO YEAR

Academy Bulletin as at 22nd December UPCOMING FIXTURES IN JANUARY 2024 MONDAY 8TH JANUARY 19.45 - Leatherhead U18 v Woking U18, Isthmian Youth League Cup, Quarter-Final River Lane, Leatherhead WEDNESDAY 10TH JANUARY 14.00 - Woking U19 v Oxford City U19, National League U19 Alliance – Academy South Division Westfield FC, Woking Park THURSDAY 11TH JANUARY 19.30 - Woking U23 v Flackwell Heath U23, Michael Bidmead Challenge (League) Cup, 1st Round Knaphill FC, Redding Way MATCH REPORT Week commencing 18th December 21st December, Woking U18 4 - 3 Bedfont Sports U18 Isthmian Football League, Youth West Division Knaphill FC, Redding Way

With Camberley having won at Uxbridge on Monday evening this was a game Woking needed to win to maintain their lead at the top of the league table. As Bedfont themselves were not out of the title picture, and Woking had lost their previous two home games, a difficult game looked likely. The early exchanges suggested that this game would not match Woking’s 7-4 victory at Bedfont earlier in the season, but there was much drama to follow. Starting with a back four, Woking took the game to Bedfont, and it looked like it may be a more straightforward evening after all. Woking had the upper hand, with Tom Dryer on the left-wing particularly troubling his opponents. It took until the 26th minute for Woking to establish a lead, an excellent cross in from Liam Manby on the right headed past Leo Davis from six yards by Byron Mitchell. Bedfont were calling Mikey Verga in the Woking goal (in place of the injured Harry White) in to action, but were not keeping the ball as much as their coach would have liked, and escaped being 2-0 down when Byron Mitchell looked up from tapping home from close range to see the linesman’s flag already up for offside.

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However, Bedfont were coming back into the game, on 37 minutes Verga was forced in to a good save, and on 43 minutes Woking escaped a goalmouth scramble with Jake Hewitt not able to get a clear shot and only hitting the side netting. Woking were further disrupted by centre-back Aidy Silverstein needing to be replaced as his right knee troubled him, and the switch to a back three unfortunately didn’t see Woking through to halftime. Kieran Collins took advantage of Woking’s enforced change, a fine individual goal, dribbling through the defence before his firm low shot from 15 yards gave Verga no chance.

seeing the game out until, on 88 minutes, a fine individual goal from Dryer, cutting across the edge of the area and hitting the bottom corner. Seale now found himself sent-off for what the referee considered to be a second bookable offence, but Woking continued to press for a winner, although it looked like the chance may have gone when Brook shot over on 90 minutes.

Half-time: Woking 1 - 1 Bedfont Sports

In the third minute of added time Woking had the winning goal. Dryer’s shot was blocked and the rebound fell to Brook, who gleefully guided the ball home. There was still time for a nervous scramble in the Woking box but the Cards saw out the victory.

Woking reorganised at half-time, reverting to a back four, but Bedfont had the lead before Woking could settle. A scrappy goal, with Oscar Kruczkiewicz able to tap into an open goal from six yards.

The joy of the victory, under demanding circumstances, was a fitting end to Scott Harrison’s eight years as Academy manager, and we wish him all the best as he takes up his new role at Wimbledon in the new year.

But Woking were soon gaining good momentum, Ellis Byrne shooting over after excellent build-up play from Manby and Mitchell, and Alvaro Picon getting forward well from right full-back.

Woking: Mikey Verga; Liam Manby, Harrison Wood, Aidy Silverstein (Alvaro Picon 44), Jacob Farr; Louis Pask, Tommy Seale, Ellis Byrne ©, Tom Dryer; Lucas Boxall (Harvey Brook 81), Byron Mitchell (Jack Bashford 72). Unused sub: Bob Honey (GK).

On 66 minutes the equaliser came, a defence splitting pass from Tommy Seale finding Tom Dryer who finished with aplomb, firing the ball across Davis in to the far corner. A minute later Seale was booked, although he himself was not sure why, but Woking looked to have the upper-hand as the game progressed, until what looked like it might be the decisive goal on 80 minutes. Woking did not challenge strongly enough to stop a Bedfont move, and Jude Jakes McKay, from an angle that looked to be against him, struck a great shot in to the top corner from the edge of the area. Woking responded by bringing on Harvey Brook, and there was still time for him to strike what proved to be the decisive blow. Bedfont looked to be

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Goals: Mitchell 26, Dryer 66, 88, Brook 90+3. Bedfont Sports: Leo Davis, Jake Hewitt, Kieran Collins, Archie Gower, Aryan Soni, Dan Mackinney, Niall O’Shea, Jude Jakes McKay, Jake Beck-Nardoni, Oscar Kruczkiewicz, Rewan Alyasi. Subs: Joe Wells, Callahan Keadell, Emon Masoudy. Goals: Collins 45+3, Kruczkiewicz 50, Jude Jakes McKay 80. For up-to-date information on fixtures refer to the Woking Football Club Academy twitter page, and the weekly post on cardsboard.co.uk

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42311

from Woking’s legal specialists

ALDERSHOT TOWN

WOKING FC

MANAGER: TOMMY WIDDRINGTON

MANAGER: MICHAEL DOYLE ALEXIS ANDRÉ JR.

JORDI VAN STAPPERSHOEF

DAN MOSS

HAJI MNOGA

JOSH CASEY (C)

OLLIE HARFIELD

SCOTT CUTHBERT

CIAN HARRIES

GREG TAYLOR

COBY ROWE

LUKE WILKINSON

THEO WIDDRINGTON

RICKY KORBOA

STUART O'KEEFE (C)

REECE GREGO-COX

TYLER FROST

PÁDRAIG AMOND

LORENT TOLAJ

DENNON LEWIS

JOSH STOKES

RHYS BROWNE

RYAN GLOVER

NANA BOATENG

OLLIE BRAY

TUNJI AKINOLA

AARON JONES

JIM KELLERMANN

OLLY SCOTT

MANNY OYELEKE

CHRISTIAN MAGHOMA

CHARLIE WAKEFIELD

JOE HAIGH

ZAK BRADSHAW

ETHAN BURNETT

TIMI ODUSINA

JACK BARHAM

WILL JÄÄSKELÄINEN

MAXWELL MULLINS

JERMAINE ANDERSON

TOMMY WILLARD

ROHAN INCE

OLLIE TURNER

MORGAN WILLIAMS

DEJAN TETEK

SAM HABERGHAM

FINLAY WESTEN

KWAME THOMAS

ALFIE PAVEY

JAMIE HILTON

PAUL OSEW

UP NEXT AT HOME GATESHEAD FC TUE 16TH JAN 19:45

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