MONDAY 28TH AUGUST 2023
KICK OFF: 15:00
Good afternoon and welcome back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium for this afternoon’s match between your Cards and our visitors for Dorking.
Today will be a tough contest, as the Wanderers are well managed and have a solid team with plenty of EFL experience. They also have the benefit of not having arrived back at home after midnight on Sunday morning.
The lads looked phenomenal in front of our travelling support that was 88 strong and sounded like 880. What a lift you give the lads.
“The lads looked phenomenal in front of our travelling support that was 88 strong and sounded like 880. What a lift you give the lads."
Was disappointing to see Rhys Browne leave early doors after taking a knock, but Ricky Korboa took his moment and shone brightly in a man-of-thematch type performance. The cross that led to our second goal off the head of Amond was a thing of beauty.
It was great to welcome Luke Wilkinson and skipper Josh Casey back to the side. Zak Bradshaw was impressive on his debut having
joined on loan from Ipswich Town as we were motoring up the M1 on Friday morning.
I hope our season ticket holders will have found access to the ground today simplified with our new “enter where it’s most convenient” policy.
I think it is also worth acknowledging that the club is well aware of the challenges of small away crowds and no access for home fans to the Chris Lane Terrace.
It is something that we are working on, but it will not be an overnight fix. Drew and I hear you, the Board hears you, and we will work to a solution.
Enjoy the match!
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
"Today will be a tough contest, as the Wanderers are well managed and have a solid team with plenty of EFL experience. They also have the benefit of not having arrived back at home after midnight on Sunday morning."
8 Find out our plans for your area: footballfoundation.org.uk
4. All cash gates will also have terminals to accept credit cards.
Vanarama National League
28th August 2023
15:00 Kick-Off
Woking welcome Dorking to the Laithwaite on Bank Holiday Monday for just the third competitive meeting between the sides.
Following a superb 3-1 comeback win in the North East against Gateshead, Darren Sarll’s side will be hoping for back to back wins for the first time this season. Meanwhile, Marc White’s Wanderers, often labelled ‘the entertainers’ of the division, drew 2-2 at home to York, thanks to talisman Jason Prior’s fourth goal of the season, leaving them with one win, one draw and three losses from their opening five games.
Following supporter feedback, the following changes have been made for fans when entering the ground.
1. Season Ticket Holders for any area may enter the ground at the Kingfield Road entrance through the gates located between the turnstiles and the gatehouse.
2. Season Ticket Holders wishing to continue to use the Westfield Turnstiles may continue to do so.
3. Pre-paid (advance) and walk-up tickets will continue to enter designated gates.
Promoted from the National League South play offs in 2022, Wanderers ensured their main aim of survival after a good run of form to end the season. Marc White's side average a promotion every other season since their inaugural season in the Crawley and District League in 1999, although the aim this year is simply to push on up the table as the Wanderers saw several departures in the summer.
The likes of Nick Wheeler and Ed Harris departed the club, although few signings have been made to add to what was already quite a large squad. Among those are Dan Pybus, a midfielder who has signed a three year deal after leaving York City recently, Harrison Male, an impressive young goalkeeper who made a name for himself at Worthing, the return of veteran centre half Tony Craig following a successful loan spell last season, as well as players such as Aaron Kuhl and George Francomb, who joined the Wanderers during the business end of last season.
Wanderers also await the return of striker Alfie Rutherford and winger Matt Briggs after long term injuries ruled them out of almost the entirety of the last campaign, whilst off the pitch, Dorking are becoming partly fan owned, as well as going hybrid in a further step towards eventually becoming a professional club.
A Rohan Ince double made for a memorable Good Friday turnaround at a sold out Meadowbank, as 1400 Woking fans watched Jason Prior's second half penalty cancelled out by a wonder striker and a header from the midfielder in quick succession.
The only meeting between these sides at the Laithwaite saw a thrilling 3-3 draw, as two goals from Amond and one from Browne made the spoils shared.
Ticket pricing and other details are available here.
Enjoy our £4 pint happy hour offer on Madri, Carling and Cold River Cider! The offer runs from 12:30 to 13:30, and then post-match until the bar closes.
Live music from Squeezebox will be playing in Cardinals Bar after full-time.
Adults: £20
Concession: £15
Next-Gen (17-22): £12
Under 17 (14-16): £8
Under 14 (13 & under): £5
Prices will increase on the turnstile and supporters are encouraged to purchase in advance.
Home supporters can purchase tickets here. Away supporters can purchase tickets here.
Click here for information on gate opening times, food and drink facilities, the Club shop and other ticketing information.
Click here for more information.
Supporters needing assistance with booking tickets can call the office on 01483 967 229, or visit between 10:00 – 16:00, Monday - Friday, excluding bank holidays.
Kingfield Road turnstiles – blue and yellow entry opens two-and-a-half hours before kickoff, unless otherwise stated.
Westfield Avenue turnstiles - red and orange entry opens two-and-a-half hours before kickoff, unless otherwise stated.
Away supporter turnstiles - white entry opens two hours before kick-off, unless stated otherwise.
Supporters who have purchased a hospitality package will have green entry and should enter through the Guest Entrance, Kingfield Road.
Supporters are reminded to arrive at the Laithwaite Community Stadium in good time, and are not guaranteed to gain entry in time for kick-off when arriving less than 30 minutes before kick-off.
The Cardinals Bar is located at the front of the stadium.
The bar has full draught and bottle beer options. The Fan Zone is the newest addition for supporters and is located opposite the Cardinals Bar.
Moaners Corner Café is located next Moaners Corners Stand, with hot and cold drinks, plus snacks available. The Seymours Community Stand has hot food options and a last lane for beverages.
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.
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Woking Specsavers proudly sponsors
Unit 17-19 Wolsey Walk, West Mall, Wolsey Place Shopping Centre, Woking, GU21 6XU
SPONSOR YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYER
For sponsorship enquiries email admin@wokingfc.co.uk
2 Dan Moss
22 Will Jaaskelainen
25 Tunji Akinola SPONSOR AVAILABLE
SPONSORED BY
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17 Jim Kellermann
5 Greg Taylor SPONSOR AVAILABLE SPONSOR AVAILABLE
8 Robbie Willmott
4 Scott Cuthbert SPONSOR AVAILABLE
SPONSORED BY
24 Rohan Ince
3 Josh Casey
28 Sam Habergham SPONSOR AVAILABLE
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SPONSORED BY Rosemary Johnson & Matthew Erskine
Katie Langhorn, Mortgage Advisor
21 Manny Oyeleke
6 Luke Wilkinson SPONSOR AVAILABLE SPONSOR AVAILABLE
7 Ricky Korboa
Darren Sarll
Dan Rowe
10 Padraig Amond
11 Dennon Lewis
Phil Marlow
23 Jermaine Anderson
14 Rhys Browne
Malcolm Jobling
26 Nana Boateng
Ian Dyer
Deanne Goring
9 Reece Grego-Cox
19 Charlie Wakefield
Dorking Wanderers Football Club was established in 1999, and entered the fledgling team into the Crawley & District League, with the home ground situated at Big Field Brockham. The club steadily climbed the non-league pyramid. They were West Sussex League Division Four Champions in 2001, Division Three runners-up in 2002, Division Two Champions in 2004, promoted from Division One in 2006 and Premier Division Champions in 2007. At this point, the club relocated to Westhumble. This was a monumental project, which saw a huge off-the-field effort transform a derelict site into a senior-level football ground.
The promotions continued after the club relocated and joined the Sussex County League. Wanderers were Division Three Champions in 2011, promoted from Division Two in 2012 and Division One runners-up in 2015, securing promotion to the Ryman League. The 2015 season also saw the club progress to the FA Cup 2nd qualifying round. The club marked their first year in the Ryman Division One South by finishing runners-up (losing out in the play-offs). However, they went one better in 2016-17 when they again finished runners-up and secured promotion via the play-offs.
The 2017-18 season saw Dorking Wanderers line up in the Bostik Premier League for the first time. They also moved in July 2018 to a refurbished Meadowbank Park, which had previously been home to Dorking FC, prior to their disbanding. The multi-million-pound development is in the heart of Dorking Town Centre. By the start of the 20/21 season the stadium had passed the Grade B status assessment and been developed up to an official capacity of 3,000.
In 2018-19, following a mixed start to the season, Wanderers found their form from December onwards, and only lost one league game in the new year. The team went on to win the Bostik Premier League by 22 points, meaning that in 2019-20 they kicked off in the National League South. This achievement was made even more special due to the fact that it coincided with the
club’s 20-year anniversary. Following the curtailment of the 2019–20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were placed seventh in the league table (decided on a points-per-game basis), qualifying for the promotion play-offs. After beating Bath City 2–1 in the quarter-finals, the club lost 3–2 to Weymouth in the semi-finals. The 2020–21 season was made null and void following a vote by member clubs of the National League, Dorking were sitting top of the league at the point the season was ended. In the 2021–22 season Dorking finished second in the league, going on to defeat Ebbsfleet United 3–2 in the play-off final, earning promotion to the National League for the first time in the club's history. The 2021–22 season also saw Wanderers win their first Surrey Senior Cup Final, beating Kingstonian 5-4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. The 2022-23 season saw the club finish 16th in their first National League campaign.
Having started the Club himself, with friends, in 1999, Marc oversaw 12 promotions in 23 years, reaching the National League for the 2022-23 season, and leading the club to the retention of their National League status with a 16th place finish. He has the unusual position of being both Club Owner and Team Manager. His Assistant Manager is Dean Milton.
across Berkshire to Bracknell Town in 2016, Seb became a key player and prolific goal scorer for 'The Robins' as they rose through the divisions and enjoyed cup success in recent years.
He was part of the side that won the Hellenic League Challenge Cup, Berks & Bucks Senior Cup and Reading Senior Cup competitions in 2016/17, with the club going on to finish runners up in the Hellenic League Premier Division (Step 5) the following season and gain promotion to the Isthmian South Central Division. Bracknell would finish in the same league position the following season, ending their first campaign back at Step 4 level as runners up. Entering the play-offs, they defeated Westfield 2-1 in the semi-finals before going on to lose 3-0 against Cheshunt in the final. Following the disruption of the ensuing Covid-19 affected seasons, Seb & Bracknell would get over the promotion line emphatically in 2021/22, winning the Isthmian South Central Division title by mid-March and ultimately by a 20-point margin back to second place.
Number: 30
Previous clubs: Binfield, Bracknell Town
Seb progressed through the youth football ranks at Binfield FC, breaking into the men's first team at the age of 16 and going on to win the Supporters Player of the Year Award at the end of his first campaign in 2012/13. On making the short move
Seb had a tremendous individual season, weighing in with 29 goals, and being named The Pitching In Step 3/4 Player of the Year at the Non-League Paper National Game Awards. He would also clinch the 'Player of the Year' accolade at the Berkshire Football Awards in the close season. Captaining 'The Robins' as they made their start to life in the Southern League Premier Division South, Seb found the net 4 times before completing his move to Wanderers.
Seb joined Dorking in September 2022 and scored against Dagenham & Redbridge on his debut, having come on as a substitute for Nick Wheeler shortly before half-time. He went on to make 26 league appearances last season, scoring 3 goals. This season he has scored 1 goal in his first four games.
With Dorking Wanderers being a relatively new club, Jon takes a look at the fixture history between Woking, and football in Dorking.
Despite being only seventeen miles apart, Woking have not played Dorking on many occasions. The first post-war meeting came at Kingfield in the FA Cup in September 1951. “It is twenty years since we had the pleasure of welcoming Dorking Town to Woking, and we are glad to have this opportunity to renew acquaintance with our Surrey Senior League neighbours. The last meeting was in the Surrey Charity Shield in September 1931, when ‘the Chicks’ forced a 3-3 draw but the Cardinals made no mistake with a 4-0 victory at Dorking a month later.” It was mentioned that the Chicks’ Supporters’ Club had a membership of 400. Dorking arrived this time with Woking on a rare run of four consecutive
victories, which had seen attendances increase to 1,700. This run became five wins, as goals from Wiles (2), Pink (2) and Geoff Hamm saw the Cards convincingly through to the next round.
A year later the clubs met again, in the same competition, but a round earlier. Again, Woking ran out winners - Pink, Hamm, Welland and Short with the goals - only to lose in the following round.
In 1956 Dorking moved to their current Meadowbank home for the first time, and that same year joined the Corinthian League and dropped ‘Town’ from their name. They were now in 2nd place, above Maidenhead and Dagenham. They hosted Woking in the Surrey Senior Shield semi-final in May 1960; a late-season competition of which Dorking Town were the holders. The Chicks made it to consecutive finals with a big win. The following season, the clubs
met again, in the same competition, at the same stage, and the Chicks made it a hat-trick of final appearances - this time winning at Kingfield in Woking’s last home match of the season. 1962/63 was a notable meeting, again in the Surrey Senior Shield. This time the Cardinals gained ample revenge, reaching double figures, with the “inimitable Charlie Mortimore” scoring nine of his side’s ten goals, obviously a Club record that still stands.
In 1963 the Corinthian League was disbanded, and Dorking joined the Athenian League. That year the clubs were drawn together in the FA Cup for a third time, and again the Cards progressed, before losing to Guildford City in the next round.
Twenty-one eventful years passed before the clubs met again. In 1974 Guildford City lost their ground, and after being turned down by Woking, they merged with Dorking and moved to Meadowbank. Guildford & Dorking United lasted for two seasons before folding. In 1977 Dorking Town re-formed, playing in the Surrey Senior League, and gained promotion back to the Athenian League at the first attempt. In 1980 they joined the Isthmian League Division Two, dropping ‘Town’ from their name again in 1983. That year Woking ended a run of 71 years in the Isthmian League’s top-flight, and two years later another relegation brought the two clubs together in the same division for the first time.
Geoff Chapple was now in charge at Woking, his arrival had come just too late to escape a second relegation in three years, but there was a confidence that an immediate promotion could be obtained. However, in November 1985, when Dorking arrived for a top of the table clash, top-scorer Maurice Cox had just resigned from Woking, disillusioned with the level of football. Dorking’s Manager Martin Collins had just received the dreaded Manager of the Month Award, and his side took an early lead at Kingfield. Julian Surey equalised before half-time with a curling shot into the top left-hand corner. In the second-half big Dave Lansley grabbed a
hat-trick to complete another convincing home win. This victory extended their unbeaten run to seven matches and put Woking on equal points with Bracknell Town at the top of the division. By the Easter weekend the Cards had slipped to 4th place, with Dorking eleven points further behind in 8th. Dorking again took the lead, thanks to a Lloyd Wye own goal! But as before, Woking turned the game around with goals from Dean Woodley and Steve Norman to claim the points. Recent signing, Trevor Baron also missed a penalty for the second consecutive match. Despite a nine-match unbeaten run at the end of the season, Woking missed out on promotion by three points.
Early in the 1986/87 season, Woking travelled to Meadowbank, where the aggressive and physical hosts beat their visitors to claim a first league victory over them. “During the game Neil Sabourn suffered a depressed cheekbone, John Cassidy a black eye, Trevor Baron needed stitches above an eye, whilst Mark Dawber limped off.” At Kingfield in November, Justin Horner gave the Cards an early lead before Dorking’s Andy Bushnell completed his fourth hat-trick of the season by half-time. Keith Morris reduced the deficit, before a last-minute equaliser from Trevor Baron saw the points shared. That point proved crucial as Woking won the league on goaldifference from Marlow, with Dorking finishing four points behind in 3rd place, and missing out on promotion.
Dorking won the Isthmian League Division
Two South title two seasons after Woking’s achievement, and with the Cards final day heartbreak against Lewes in May 1989, causing them to finish 3rd in consecutive seasons, the club’s brief league rivalry was resumed in 1989/90. Managers Geoff Chapple and Martin Collins were both in their sixth season in charge, and both had seen their club’s progress, with both sides now in the top four of the Isthmian League Division One. The first meeting that season was a first-ever Surrey Senior Cup meeting, at the semi-final stage, at
Meadowbank in March. A Bushnell brace and another from Rob Dilger saw the Chicks reach the final. Just four days later the fixture was repeated in a league match, which ended goalless. This left Dorking in 2nd place, just three points behind leaders Wivenhoe. Woking were eight points behind but crucially had six games in hand due to various cup-runs. Dorking’s form then collapsed, winning just two of their final twelve matches, to fall away from the promotion race after hearing that their ground was not up to Premier Division requirements. By the time the clubs met at Kingfield in mid-April, Woking had climbed to 2nd place and required three wins from eight matches to gain promotion. A Tim Buzaglo brace and a third from Andy Russell gave Woking the first of those wins, and they went on to comfortably
achieve promotion to their historic level after a seven-year break.
In 92/93 Dorking gained promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division, under the management of John Rains, Martin Collins was now a director. In the January, Dorking still had a 100% home record when Woking arrived for a Surrey Senior Cup game. Their Conference level visitors managed to gain a draw in a “sea of mud”, before the Rains brothers hoodoo continued from their Sutton days, with the Chicks winning the replay at Kingfield.
1992/93 proved to be a high point for the Chicks. 93/94 saw personnel changes on and off the pitch, with Steve Lunn taking over as manager.
They suffered the first of consecutive relegations, before a third in four years. Woking comfortably gained revenge in a third SSC meeting in five years, Clive Walker (2) and Scott Steele scoring. Gwynne Berry had swapped sides from a year earlier.
After a decade in the lower reaches of the Isthmian League, Dorking joined the Combined Counties League, and a “young Cards side” next visited a frosty Meadowbank in January 2010 and skated to victory in front of just 100 fans. A young Joe McNerney scored two headed goals. This was the last meeting with the original Dorking side, as they closed in 2017 after being evicted from Meadowbank for Health & Safety reasons in 2016. A second side in the town had risen to join the Isthmian League by 2015, and they moved into a refurbished Meadowbank in 2018. It was this new club that visited Kingfield in the SSC in 2020, after having been promoted to the National League South a year earlier. The Chicks obtaining a one-goal win thanks to a penalty and some wayward finishing from the home side. With Dorking dramatically winning the National League South play-offs in 2022, last season saw the sides play each other in league competition after a gap of thirty-three years. In October, at Kingfield, a late Rhys Browne equaliser earnt Woking a 3-3 draw in a game which both sides had led. The return, on Good Friday in April, saw Woking come from behind to win 2-1. The first of Rohan Ince’s two goals, a stunning 30-yard, dipping half-volley, was later voted as Woking’s goal of the season.
Steve Scrivens, Peter Shodeinde, Paul Shrubb, Terry Worsfold, Justin Horner, Jezz Jukes, Gwynne Berry, Giuseppe Sole, Nick Wheeler
AUGUST
Sat Aug 05 Kidderminster Harriers
Sat Aug 12 Altrincham
Tue Aug 15 Rochdale
Sat Aug 19 Barnet
Sat Aug 26 Gateshead
Mon Aug 28 Dorking Wanderers
SEPTEMBER
Sat Sept 02 Maidenhead United
Sat Sept 09 Solihull Moors
Sat Sept 16 Hartlepool United
Tue Sept 19 Ebbsfleet United
Sat Sept 23 York City
Tue Sept 26 Wealdstone
Sat Sept 30 AFC Fylde
OCTOBER
Tue Oct 03 FC Halifax Town
Sat Oct 07 Southend United
Sat Oct 14 TBC
Sat Oct 21 Dagenham & Redbridge
Tue Oct 24 Eastleigh
Sat Oct 28 Bromley
NOVEMBER
Sat Nov 11 Oxford City
Sat Nov 18 Oldham Athletic
Tue Nov 21 Chesterfield
Sat Nov 25 Boreham Wood
DECEMBER
Sat Dec 02 Gateshead (FAT R3)
Sat Dec 09 TBC
Sat Dec 16 Dorking Wanderers
Sat Dec 23 Maidenhead United
Tue Dec 26 Aldershot Town
JANUARY
Mon Jan 01 Aldershot Town
Sat Jan 06 Solihull Moors
Sat Jan 20 Oxford City
Tue Jan 23 Chesterfield
Sat Jan 27 Oldham Athletic
FEBRUARY
Sat Feb 03 Boreham Wood
Sat Feb 10 Hartlepool United
Sat Feb 17 FC Halifax Town
Tue Feb 20 Ebbsfleet United
Sat Feb 24 Wealdstone
MARCH
Sat Mar 02 Kidderminster Harriers
Sat Mar 09 Altrincham
Tue Mar 12 Rochdale
Sat Mar 16 Barnet
Sat Mar 23 Southend United
Fri Mar 29 Eastleigh
APRIL
Mon Apr 01 Bromley
Sat Apr 06 Dagenham & Redbridge
Sat Apr 13 York City
Sat Apr 20 AFC Fylde
TUNJI AKINOL
PADRAIG AMOND
JERMAINE ANDERSON
NANA BOATENG
ZAK BRADSHAW
RHYS BROWNE
JOSH CASEY
SCOTT CUTHBERT
JOE DAY
REECE GREGO-COX
SAM HABERGHAM
ROHAN INCE
WILL JAASKELAINEN
JIM KELLERMANN
RICKY KORBOA
DENNON LEWIS
DAN MOSS
GREG
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REFEREE: RITCHIE WATKINS
ASSISTANTS: BENJAMIN WILLIAMSON
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UP
4TH
PATRICK NIXON OBSERVER: ROBERT DESMOND
Click here an hour before kick-off for the starting XI
