Woking FC v Gateshead FC

TUESDAY

General Manager:

Company Secretary: George Burnett

Honorary Vice President: Peter Jordan

Club Ambassador: Geoff Chapple

Commercial Director: Nick Bavin

Head of Food & Beverage: Simon Jones

Safety Officer: Amelia Tyson

Media Manager: Daniel O’Sullivan

Ticketing

Accounts and Finance Manager: Pam Stevenson

Shop Manager: Ben Cavey

Club Chaplain:

CEO NOTES

JoHN kATZ

Greetings and welcome back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium for this evening’s matchup between your Cards and our visitors from Gateshead.

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Sonia Kulkarni and the directors and guests who have made the long journey from the North. For those of you who didn’t make it to Saturday’s match, I did want to reiterate a couple of key points:

Hopefully, you will have seen that most of the migration restrictions have been lifted for the remainder of the season at the discretion of our Safety Officer. Thanks to all who provided

“We still have an opportunity to maintain our status as a National League National Division club. We have 11 matches to secure the 16-17 points or roughly 1.5 points per game required.”

“We’re going to make our own version of the great escape; it can be achieved in various permutations of wins and draws over the next 7 weeks.”

constructive feedback on the process. I’d like to again offer our special thanks to the Cards Trust which has funded Jayden Luker’s loan for the rest of the season with proceeds from the 400 Club and Boost the Budget. The Cards Trust does so much for the Club both behind the scenes and right up front, and we are grateful for them being a massive part of the team.

In the 19th century, the great British statesman and two-time Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli said: “Through perseverance, many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure.”

In other words, we still have an opportunity to maintain our status as a National League National Division club. We have 11 matches to secure the 16-17 points or roughly 1.5 points per

game required. We’re going to make our own version of the great escape; it can be achieved in various permutations of wins and draws over the next 7 weeks.

Hang in there, Cards fans, and continue throw your support behind Doyler and the boys. They (and we) need you.

Thank you all, as always, 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

MANAGER

MICHAEL DoYLE

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.”

The Premier League,

The FA and Government are together for football. Unlocking the power of pitches to transform lives and strengthen communities.

AHEAD of THE GAME

Woking vs Gateshead

Vanarama National League

Tuesday 27th February 2024

19:45 Kick-Off

Woking will take on a Gateshead side who are currently one of the best form sides in the division.

Michael Doyle will be hoping that his side can pick up where they left off at the end of Saturday's game against Wealdstone, where the last ten minutes was the strongest period of the game for the Cards.

With another six-pointer around the corner vs Kidderminster on Saturday, this fixture offers a chance for the Cards to build some momentum ahead of the last ten games, but it will be particularly difficult considering Gateshead's goalscoring prowess and away form.

OPPOSITION WATCH

After losing to Halifax in the FA Trophy final following a run which saw relegation threatened Gateshead finish a comfortable 14th, manager Mike Williamson had to replace the likes of forward Adam Campbell who joined Crawley Town, along with midfielders Dan Ward and Owen Bailey, who joined Oldham Athletic and Doncaster Rovers respectfully. Incomings included midfielder Regan Booty from Maidstone, Notts County's penalty shootout hero Archie Mair, whilst former Card

Kyran Lofthouse also joined the Heed on loan from Barnsley in October. After Williamson departed for MK Dons in November, leaving Rob Elliott in charge, the Heed saw a mass exodus of players in January. An injury to star midfielder Ed Francis was followed by recalls for loan players Billy Chadwick, Lofthouse and Mair, with Lofthouse following Williamson to MK along with star forward Stephen Wearne, who is flying in Buckinghamshire.

Wearne, along with Marcus Dinanga, have provided the Heed with the ammunition to go up the table. Of the Heed's 64 goals scored (only Chesterfield and Barnet have scored more), Dinanga has scored 17 in 32 games, including a hat trick on the weekend against Oxford City, whilst Wearne bagged 11 in 23 before moving south.

The Heed currently sit 5th with 56 points from 33 games, winning 16, drawing eight and losing nine of their games thus far. Currently unbeaten in their last seven in league and trophy, with just one draw in that run, a win for Gateshead could see them close the gap on third placed Bromley, who they have two games in hand on with a six point deficit to make up.

LAST TIME OUT

Goals from Jim Kellermann, Padraig Amond and Zak Bradshaw cancelled out Marcus Dinanga's first half opener as the Cards won 3-1 at the Gateshead International Stadium in August. In the 2022/23 season, Woking were victorious twice; again winning 3-1 in the North East in October 2022, before a 2-1 win at the Laithwaite in April courtesy of a Rhys Browne double. Since 2012, the sides have met 15 times, with Woking victorious on nine occasions, drawing three times and the Heed coming out on top three times.

AROUND THE GROUND

Ticket pricing and other details are available here.

This game is the second of the Two for Tuesday fixtures.

The Club reminds supporters, in light of the forecasted weather, that pointed umbrellas are not permitted in the ground. Smaller, non-pointed umbrellas are.

Home supporters can purchase tickets here. Away supporters can purchase tickets 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.

ARRIVING AT THE STADIUM

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

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

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.

@wokingfc

@wokingfc

@wokingfc

@wokingfc

@wokingfc

FiDE eT DiLiGENTiA

Woking FC 2023/24 Kits

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

MATCH ACTIoN

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SPONSORED BY

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16. Tunji Akinola SPONSOR AVAILABLE

4. Scott Cuthbert

2. Dan Moss

Rosemary Johnson & Matthew Erskine

17. Jim Kellermann

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18. Manny Oyeleke

6. Luke Wilkinson

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9. Reece Grego-Cox

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7. Ricky Korboa

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11. Dennon Lewis

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21. Timi Odusina

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Dan Rowe

33. Charley Kendell

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Motorvation & the Langridge family

Ben Turner

Michael Doyle

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35. Max Dyche

37. Paul Osew

27. Dion Kelly-Evans

30. Josh Smith

31. Jayden Luker

32. Curtis Edwards

Marlon Beresford

28. Sam Habergham

24. Rohan Ince

23. Jermaine Anderson

GATESHEAD AFC

The original Gateshead AFC was formed in 1930 when neighbours South Shields – members of the Football League’s old Third Division North – moved to Gateshead because of financial difficulties. In 1953 Gateshead progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals before losing to a single Nat Lofthouse goal for eventual finalists Bolton Wanderers. The club then competed in the Fourth Division, the Northern Counties League, the North Regional League, the Northern Premier League, the Wearside League, and the Midland League, until – in 1973, seven leagues and 43 years after its inception –Gateshead AFC ceased to exist.

TOWN AND UNITED

A new club called Gateshead Town played the following season in the Northern Combination League until history repeated itself and South Shields, then members of the Northern Premier League, sold their Simonside headquarters and moved to a new home at Gateshead Stadium. Renamed Gateshead United, the club became a force in the Northern

Premier League. However, in 1977 after only three years United disbanded, and the current Gateshead FC was formed.

GATESHEAD FC

Replacing Gateshead United in the Northern Premier League for the 1977-78 season, the new club won the title in 1983 with a record 100 points and 114 goals. A succession of promotions and relegations earned a reputation as top-flight strugglers before seventh and fifth place finishes in successive Conference campaigns between 1994 and 1996. However, in 1998 relegation back to the Northern Premier League ended eight consecutive seasons of Conference football. Further struggles required back-to-back promotions for the club to regain their Conference Premier place in 2009. With Gatesheadborn businessman, Graham Wood, having taken over in 2006.

The first campaign back in non-league’s elite division was difficult, with top-flight status only retained on goal difference. However, the club returned to fulltime professionalism in 2010, and steady progression

saw them reach the play-off final in 2013. Their first-ever Wembley appearance saw defeat to Cambridge United.

After ending the 2013-14 season tenth, Wood’s total shareholding was acquired by Consett-based business duo Richard and Julie Bennett. In the following years the club looked to be establishing itself at National League level but in April 2018 the Bennetts confirmed their intention to sell the club, although a deal with an overseas consortium the following month collapsed.

FINANCIAL CRISIS

Gateshead remained up for sale until just before the start of the 2018/19 season when Hong Kong based businessman Dr Ranjan Varghese completed his takeover of the club, with Michael Williams as Operations Director.

A season of turmoil off the pitch would have been contrasted by a more settled ninth place finish, but a nine-point deduction saw them end the season in 18th. And worse was to come as financial irregularities saw them relegated, and the takeover in the summer of 2019, this time by a fan-led consortium with Neil Pinkerton and Trevor Clark installed as club owners, was of a club back in National League North.

RETURN TO THE TOP FLIGHT

Thoughts of a return to the National League were halted by Covid-19, but the 2021/22 season proved historic for Mike Williamson’s team, who became National League North champions and returned to the National League. The Heed scored 99 goals and won 18 of 21 home games as they finished on 94 points. Macaulay Langstaff scored 28 league goals and was named the division’s Player of the Season, joining Greg Olley and Cedwyn Scott in the Team of the Season, while Williamson earned the Manager of the Season award. Gateshead’s league-record crowd of 4,129 on the final day of the season saw a 2-1 win over Hereford precede the title celebrations, as Olley lifted the title trophy.

In the 2022–23 season, Williamson guided Gateshead to a 14th-place finish in the National League and a place in the 2023 FA Trophy final, but lost 1–0 to FC Halifax Town. However, on 17th October 2023, Williamson was appointed manager of League Two club Milton Keynes Dons, with Rob Elliot taking over as Interim Manager, a position he still holds. Gateshead have recently found maintaining their play-off position difficult, finding themselves disrupted by a number of departures and injuries.

INTERIM MANAGER

Rob Elliot

Age: 37

Rob began his playing career with Erith Town, before joining Charlton Athletic's academy side. Whilst at Charlton, he was sent out on loan to Bishop's Stortford and Notts County, and also spent two loan spells at Accrington Stanley. He would then go on to be Charlton's first choice goalkeeper for a number of seasons, until he joined Newcastle United on transfer deadline day in the summer of 2011. Signed mainly as a back-up to Tim Krul, he featured for the club sporadically, but became first choice in the 2015–16 season after Krul suffered a seasonending injury.

Through the origins of his father's family, Elliot became eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland national football team, and was first called up in 2013, making his debut the following year, and four appearances in all. In June 2020 Elliot was released by Newcastle United after nine years. Then in January 2021, he signed for Watford, initially until the end of the 2020–21 season, and then for a further two years.

However, in June 2022, Elliot was released on a free transfer following Watford's relegation to the Championship at the end of the 2021–22 season, having only made one competitive appearance for the club.

In August 2022, Elliot joined Gateshead as their first ever Technical Director, and was also registered as a first-team player. Following the departure of manager Mike Williamson to Milton Keynes Dons, Elliot was appointed Interim Manager in October 2023.

WOKING V GATESHEAD

The Fixture History

WOKING JOIN THE CONFERENCE

Gateshead were a Football League club from 1930 to 1960, before dropping into the Northern Counties League. They first won promotion to the Conference in 1983, then did so again in 1986 and 1990 before Woking managed to catch them up. Having never been drawn together in a cup match, the first meeting took place at Kingfield in November 1992. Woking were struggling to find their feet, languishing in the relegation zone, while Gateshead were in the bottom half but enjoying their longest run at that level. A ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ performance from the Cards undid a good first-half to get heavily beaten. By January both clubs had climbed into the top seven with improved form, and this continued as the sides played out a draw at The International Stadium. Woking finished a respectable 8th place in their first season at that level, but the Heed faded and dropped to 14th, seven points behind the Cards. It was December when the Cards again travelled to the north-east, the clubs were in almost the exact positions as they had finished the previous season. A poor start had seen Gateshead change their manager, and Colin Richardson had produced eight points from his first five matches, and they had the league’s top scorer in Paul Dobson. Woking had only managed one away win all season, but they did manage a fourth draw, repeating the previous season’s result, with Gateshead equalising a Scott Steele opener with just three minutes remaining. In early April, Woking had returned from a successful trip to the north-east just three days earlier, when they had reached the FA Trophy semi-final with a win at Billingham. As well as that, the Cards were 4th in the league but a defeat at leaders Kidderminster had virtually ended title ambitions. On Easter Saturday, a single Andy Clement goal meant that Woking managed to beat ten-man Heed for the first time, before securing their highest league finish of 3rd, and winning the FA Trophy for the first time, beating Runcorn who had defeated Gateshead in the Quarter-Final. Gateshead finished ten points behind in a comfortable 11th place.

ALAN DOWSON

In the Summer of 1994, Gateshead signed Alan Dowson from Slough Town, who had been relegated the previous season, for £3,000. He helped keep a clean sheet as they beat 3rd placed Woking, despite their “sizeable and vocal following”. Gateshead visited Surrey on Easter Monday this time, and Woking had just reached the final of the FA Trophy again with a win over Rushden & Diamonds two days earlier. The clubs would have met in the Quarter-Final, but Macclesfield narrowly won on Tyneside a round earlier. The punishing fixture-list saw Woking struggle to gain a point, as Darran Hay scored on his return to the Club. Woking improved, to finish a Club-record runners-up, as did Gateshead, finishing 7th, their highest placing to date.

Woking continued their 100% home record for a sixth match in late-September, Dowse missed the game through injury and Scott Steele and Darran Hay both scored against Heed again. Bizarrely, Woking had lost all five of their away games at this point, a run that would cost them the title. Woking made the long trip to Tyneside just five days after the infamous defeat at Stevenage on Easter Monday. A large away following, ‘arriving by plane, train, coach

and car’ to a freezing Tyneside, saw another Hay goal keep the title dream alive with five games remaining. However, a consistent ‘Boro side won the title with two games to spare, never again would the title get so close. Gateshead again improved, with a Club best finish of 5th place, a third season of steady improvement. It was March before the clubs met the following season, Macclesfield and Kidderminster were dualling for the title, with Woking a distant seventh but with games in hand after a magnificent FA Cup run. Gateshead had slipped to 16th under new manager Jim Platt. In a proverbial game of two halves, a poor first-half performance saw Heed take a three-goal lead, before a spirited second half reduced the deficit to one goal, thanks to Clive Walker and Hay yet again, but the hosts held out. As in the previous year, the return game, at Kingfield, took place just a few days after an important game against Stevenage – this time happier circumstances had seen the Cards make it to Wembley in the FA Trophy for the third time in four years. A fourth one-all draw played out as the clubs drifted to 5th and 10th respectively, with Woking going on to lift the FA Trophy again.

JOHN MCGOVERN

Surprisingly, Woking changed their manager in the Summer of 1997, bringing in John McGovern, who had also been interviewed by Gateshead’s Chairman John Gibson before being appointed by Woking. One defeat in the opening nine games included a narrow victory at Gateshead thanks to Grant Payne and Steve Thompson goals, Gateshead were left in the relegation places with only one win in eight games. John Carroll took over the reins at Gateshead in November, but the Tynesiders were bottom of the league when they travelled to Surrey in late-February 1998, Woking were 4th, well behind run away leaders Halifax. Viewers of Live TV were treated to four goals, two more from Hay and another from Payne lifted the Cards to 3rd place, which is where they finished the season, Gateshead were relegated, despite climbing above Stalybridge. It took eleven seasons for Gateshead to regain the Conference place, after a further relegation, followed by back-to-back promotions. They resumed their place for 2009/10 season, a year after Woking had been relegated after seventeen years in the top-flight of non-league football. It took the Cards three years to gain promotion, and with Gateshead re-establishing themselves at that level and turning full-time in 2010, the rivalry re-commenced in 2012/13 season. Part-time Woking narrowly beat their visitors, partly thanks to Chris Bush being dismissed for them. The result was reversed in the return fixture as both sides consolidated in an unremarkable season.

CONFERENCE RIVALRY CONTINUES

Both clubs started the 2013/14 season poorly, but Gateshead gained their first win of the season at Kingfield, as Woking’s run of letting in early goals continued during four consecutive defeats. By February Gary Mill’s side were on a nine-match unbeaten run and has risen to 4th in the league. A surprising victory for their inconsistent Surrey visitors briefly set-back the play-off push, with goals from John Nutter and John Goddard, but Heed recovered to finish the season in 3rd place and make the play-offs for the first time. After knocking out Grimsby in the semi-finals in front of 8,144 at The International Stadium, Cambridge United narrowly

beat them at Wembley to regain their place in the Football League.

Gateshead slipped down the table the following season due to their FA Cup run to the 3rd Round, where they were soundly beaten by West Brom. Straight after that defeat the Cards visited Tyneside pushing for a play-off spot themselves. Garry Hill’s side were having their best season since the turn of the century, and a goalless draw resulted. For the return game in Surrey, Woking were three points off the play-off places with three games remaining, Gateshead were three points further back. A 3-0 home-win maintained Woking’s hope of making the play-offs for the first time, with goals from Scott Rendell, Goddard and Yemi Odubade – against one of his former clubs, but the Easter Monday defeat at Dover had ultimately cost them as Forest Green pipped the Cards.

Gary Mills moved to Wrexham in the Summer of 2015, and Heed were already on their second manager of the season when Woking visited just before Christmas. The two clubs were one place apart in mid-table but one of the best displays of the season saw the Cards climb above their hosts, in fact Garry Hill commented, “that the secondhalf performance was the best 45 minutes I’ve seen in my five years at the Club.” After sitting in 6th place in January, the loss of Dan Holman’s goals to Cheltenham, and a loss of form, resulted in Woking obtaining just four points from twelve games. Neil Aspin’s Gateshead had the third best away record, so a share of the points was respectable as both sides settled for mid-table obscurity.

More budget cuts at Woking reduced their competitiveness in the 2016/17 season. Half-way through the season a sparse crowd witnessed a Gozie Ugwu hat-trick defeat Gateshead, to lift the Cards out of the relegation places. In March Gateshead were in the top-five and undefeated in seven matches, however, a Terrel Thomas header initially upset the form book, before the Cards narrowly lost by the odd goal. Heed drifted to 8th place, whilst the Cards stayed up thanks to a point on the final day of the season.

RELEGATION FOR BOTH SIDES

Garry Hill saw out his contract at Woking and new manager Anthony Limbrick took over in the Summer of 2017. His opening match as manager was at home to Gateshead with a completely new side. Neil Aspin had also lost some key players as his sides average age dropped to just 23. A much-improved crowd, thanks to a season-ticket initiative, were treated to debut goals from Inih Effiong and Darren Ward and three points. Woking had a very good first half of the season, rising as high as 3rd place and reaching the FA Cup 2nd Round replay. By January though Effiong and Ward had been sold and the Cards hadn’t won for eight games, which became nine with a draw on Tyneside against the side that had just climbed above Woking into 14th place, Reece Grego-Cox opened the scoring, before Ben Fox equalised. The Cards’ form failed to improve and a final-day home defeat against Dover consigned them to relegation.

Although Woking bounced back at the first attempt, the following season Gateshead were relegated. In July 2018 Dr Ranjan Varghese bought Gateshead but by December they were under a transfer embargo. Although they amassed 66 points, Gateshead breached league rules on financial reporting, and defaulted on creditors. Nine points were deducted for financial irregularities, before the club was demoted for the same offence. The council evicted the Club from their stadium before Vaarghese agreed to sell the Club in March. Unfortunately, this reprieved our neighbours from over the border from relegation! The new consortium managed to keep the Club’s full-time status, and it took Heed three years to regain their place at this level.

After a gap of five years, Reece Grego-Cox opened the scoring at The Gateshead International Stadium in October last season, he then had a penalty saved, with Jermaine Anderson tapping in the rebound to double the lead. Luke Wilkinson scored with the first chance of the second half to settle the match, before a late Dan Ward goal replied with ten minutes remaining. The return in April saw Woking pushing on in their bid for 3rd place, with a 2-1 victory. Two Rhys Browne goals had Woking 2-0 up after 12 minutes, and they held on to clinch a hard-fought win.

This season’s win for Woking at Gateshead in August remains a rare high spot in a troubled season. Second-half goals from Kellermann, Amond, and Bradshaw turned around a halftime deficit and had Cards looking forward with optimism. How fortunes have changed since, with Gateshead still pursuing the play-off positions, and Woking only above the relegation zone on goal difference. Players/Managers that have played/managed both clubs

Chris Bush, Alan Dowson, Yemi Odubade

FIXTURE HISTORY

92/93

Woking 1 - Gateshead 4

Gateshead 1 - Woking 1

93/94

Woking 1 - Gateshead 0

Gateshead 1 - Woking 1

94/95

Woking 1 - Gateshead 1

Gateshead 2 - Woking 0

95/96

Woking 2 - Gateshead 0

Gateshead 0 - Woking 1

96/97

Woking 1 - Gateshead 1

Gateshead 3 - Woking 2

13/14

Woking 1 - Gateshead 2

Gateshead 0 - Woking 2

14/15

Woking 3 - Gateshead 0

Gateshead 0 - Woking 0

15/16

Woking 1 - Gateshead 1

Gateshead 1 - Woking 5

16/17

Woking 3 - Gateshead 0

Gateshead 2 - Woking 1

17/18

Woking 2 - Gateshead 1

Gateshead 1 - Woking 1

97/98

Woking 3 - Gateshead 1

Gateshead 1 - Woking 2

12/13

Woking 2 Gateshead 1

Gateshead 2 - Woking 1

22/23

Woking 2 - Gateshead 1

Gateshead 1 - Woking 3

23/24

Woking 2 - Gateshead 1

Gateshead 1 - Woking 3

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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 Hemel Hempstead (FAC)

Tue Oct 17 Hemel Hempstead (FAC)

Sat Oct 21 Dagenham & Redbridge

Tue Oct 24 Eastleigh

Sat Oct 28 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 Gateshead

Sat Dec 09 Weston-super-Mare (FAT R3)

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

Tue Jan 23 Chesterfield

Sat Jan 27 Oldham Athletic

FEBRUARY

Sat Feb 03 Boreham Wood

Tue Feb 06 Oxford City

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

Tunji Akinola

Jermaine Anderson

Alexis Andre Jr.

Rhys Browne

Josh Casey

Scott Cuthbert

Max Dyche

Curtis Edwards

Reece Grego-Cox

Sam Habergham

Rohan Ince

Will Jaaskelainen

Jim Kellermann

Dion Kelly-Evans

Charley Kendall

Ricky Korboa

Dennon Lewis

Jayden Luker

Dan Moss

Timi Odusina

Paul

Manny Oyeleke

Josh Smith

Lewis Walker

Luke

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.

MEMBERSHIP

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

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.

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-

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.

PLAYER AWARD VOTES

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

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.

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.

THE CARDS TRUST THIS wEEk'S uPDATES

UPCOMING AWAY COACH TRAVEL

The Cards Trust would like to run coaches to all matches in 2024. Unfortunately increased costs mean that we are unable to run coaches to Altrincham and Halifax.

Remember, members and Junior Cards save money on bookings with their membership!

SUPPORTERS COACHES

Please note there is no coach for Altrincham

ROCHDALE - TUESDAY 12th MARCH

49 Seater Executive Coach with onboard Toilet. The Supporters Coach leaves Woking FC at 14:00 and costs:

Trust Members - Adult £42, U16's & Junior Cards £37

Non Members - Adult £47, U16's £42

Outward Only - £25

Return Only - £25

To book please CLICK HERE

If you have any questions then please drop me an email at: adam.bowyer@cardstrust.co.uk

BOOST THE BUDGET

Boost the Budget has been able to support the Club by funding the loan of Jayden Luker to the end of the season.

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 January draw on Thursday 25th. The winners were:

£100     number 470     Simon Jones

£75        number 309      John Ellery

£50        number 348      Andrew Smith

Contact john. hooker@cardstrust.co.uk to take part or get additional numbers.

RACE NIGHT

The Trust is repeating its very popular RACE NIGHT on Saturday 16th after the Barnet game in the Cardinals' Bar. Admission is £1.00 in advance and tickets and race and runner sponsorships can be booked on the Cards Trust website.

GOLDRUSH

Today’s Goldrush will be a hybrid of online and ‘at the ground’ sales.

SURREY ~ SUSSEX ~ HAMPSHIRE

Portable Toilet Unit Hire for all Construction Sectors

Principal Contractors ~ General Builders ~ Roofers ~ Landscapers ~ Plumbers ~ Joinery & Carpenters ~ Homeowners

TO YOU LOOS LIMITED provide site toilets with the following :-

 Flushing chemical portable toilets (no mains required) with sinks or sanitiser units

 Toilets are emptied and cleaned by ourselves weekly as standard, inclusive of chemicals and consumables, with additional services available on request

Portable Toilet Unit Hire for Public & Private Events

TO YOU LOOS LIMITED provide toilets for Fetes, Parties, Shows, Weddings, Horse Trials 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.

CARDS IN DERBY DAY DISMANTLING OF ABBEY

WOKING FC WOMEN 7 2

ABBEY RANGERS FC

Woking smashed Abbey for seven at Woking College, thanks to a spree of goals in pretty treacherous weather. A hat-trick for Charlotte Keenan stole the headlines, as the number nine now joins the double-figure club, in front of goal this season.

The first chance of the game went to the Cards as Bianca Underhill played a great ball into Charlotte from the right, but the striker could only lob the ball over the crossbar.

Ten minutes later, Helen Ogle found Gaby Hobday with a great switch across the pitch, but the former's effort hit the side-netting from a tight angle.

The hosts were in control and had another opportunity to score when Trudy Bryan-Kerr found an opening, however, her shot went over the top of the goal.

But just shortly before the half-hour mark, the pressure was rewarded with the first goal of the afternoon as Charlotte got in behind the Abbey Rangers defence and slotted the ball past the ‘keeper with her left foot. Very deserved.

The visitors registered their first effort on target a while after, as a powerful shot from inside the box was well-held by Amy Jenkins.

In the blink of an eye, the Cards had doubled their lead in extraordinary fashion. Potentially one of the all-time great own goals on Abbey's behalf saw the ball fly from afar all the way over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Just before the break, Charlotte grabbed her second of the match, this time on the left-hand side, with a right-footed finish. The Card took a comfortable lead going into the halfway stage, with the score at where it finished for the reverse fixture.

HT: Woking 3-0 Abbey Rangers

The second 45 minutes opened up a lot more and saw Abbey pull a goal back quite early. A simple counter attack allowed them to get in behind and ex-Cards player Leah Robertson managed to finish past Amy in goal.

Amy was on hand though shortly after as another counter down the right-hand side forced an eventual shot from inside the box, but the number one made a great save to deny them.

If there were any nerves on whether this game was over or not, that thought was put to bed in the 63rd minute when Charlotte completed her hat-trick. After winning back possession just outside the box, she drove into a shooting position to score her first treble of the season and for the club.

The floodgates had opened from this point onwards and Gaby made it four, just five minutes later. A seriously good run was completed with a beautiful finish, tucked into the bottom righthand corner.

Gaby was involved with the sixth goal too, as her looping cross found Helen, who nodded home her first of the game. That assist now takes Gaby into double figures for the season and she is the first player to do so on that front.

The visitors did pull another goal back late on in a very similar fashion to the first, but the final goal of the game belonged to Trudy as she made it seven with the last kick of the game. The number 14 had waited all afternoon, but she eventually got her goal after a great finish from a oneversus-one with the ‘keeper.

FT: Woking 7-2 Abbey Rangers

Woking’s final home league record sees them finish with 14 points from a possible 21 that were on offer. Across playing at both the Eastwood Centre and Woking College, thank you for everyone’s home support, but there’s still one more to come with next Sunday’s Chairman’s Cup Quarter-Final tie against tier 5 Winchester City Flyers.

Woking Starting XI: Jenkins, Mitchell, Cotter ©, Burgess, Hobday, Underhill, Theocharous, Nichol, Ogle, Bryan-Kerr, Keenan

Subs: N/A

Attendance: 51

Player of the Match: Charlotte Keenan

ACADEMY

The 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

U17s STAGE DRAMATIC LATE COMEBACK

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Week commencing 26th February 2024

WEDNESDAY 28th FEBRUARY

14:00 – Woking U19 v Aldershot U19

National League Alliance – Academy South Westfield FC, Woking Park (Venue and Kick-off time subject to change on pitch inspection)

THURSDAY 29th FEBRUARY

19:30 – Woking U18 v Beaconsfield Town U18

Isthmian Football League – Youth West Division Knaphill FC, Redding Way

FRIDAY 1st MARCH

11:30 – Woking U19 v Bromley U19

National League Alliance – Academy South Woking College, Rydens Way

For up-to-date information on fixtures refer to the Woking Football Club Academy twitter page.

MATCH REPORTS

Week commencing 19th February

TUESDAY 20TH FEBRUARY

Worthing U18 3 - 2 Woking U18

Isthmian Youth League Cup, Semi-Final Sussex Transport Community Stadium, Worthing

The week started badly for the U18s, with Camberley Town taking Woking’s place at the top of the Isthmian League West with a 2 – 0 victory over Bracknell Town on Monday evening. Worthing are top of the South table.

Both teams had reached the semi-final with penalty shoot-out success in the quarter-finals, Harry White’s penalty save making the difference for Woking against Leatherhead, in a game where Ellis Byrne had suffered a broken fibula. Ellis had hoped to be back for this game, but it came too soon for him to play a part.

Unfortunately, it was Worthing who were to win through to the final against Cray Valley PM, who had defeated Tonbridge Angels 2 – 1 in their semifinal the evening before.

Woking started well, taking the lead in the sixth minute through Byron Mitchell, and holding Worthing until they equalised in the 42nd minute.

Luca Allen was brought down just outside the box, and Zac Jeanes beat Mikey Verga with the free-kick. Woking using their taller players to guard against a cross, when they may have been better placed in the defensive wall.

Half-time: Worthing 1 – 1 Woking Worthing started the second-half well, and Woking were only able to resist the pressure until the 62nd minute. Jack McLelland sliding it past Verga to make it 2 – 1. The third followed within a minute, Evan Hoarty firing home from the edge of the area. The Worthing side now brimming with confidence. Woking pressed for a way back in to the game but were struggling to create chances. They did pull one back on 77 minutes through Stanley Kyle, but could not complete the comeback, and Worthing finished an entertaining game between two strong sides victorious.

Worthing: Daniel Gibson, Zachary Jeanes, Ben Royall, Danny Jordan, Ben Cheverton ©, Harry Merritt-Blann, Evan Hoarty, Luke Harrison, Luca Allen, Jack McLelland, Stan Berry. Subs: Samuel Southgate, Kristen Murphy, Cameron Joste, David Castanheira, Frankie Spiteri.

Goals: Jeanes 42, McLelland 62, Hoarty 63.

Woking: Mikey Verga; Alvaro Picon, Harrison Stevens, Aidy Silverstein, Jacob Farr; JJ Young, Tommy Seale ©, Sam Brittain; Tom Dryer, Byron Mitchell, Lucas Boxall. Subs: Ben Smith, Harry White, Stanley Kyle, Harvey Brook, Liam Manby.

Goals: Mitchell 6, Kyle 77.

Referee: Mark Spence.

WEDNESDAY 21st FEBRUARY

Woking U17 4 - 2 Dorking Wanderers U17

National League Alliance, Division E; Westfield FC, Woking Park

Following last weeks’ 0 – 5 reverse at Chatham, a much better performance was required, and

Woking applied themselves well, although they still had to come from behind in a game they largely controlled.

Dorking had a couple of half-chances before Woking took the lead on 13 minutes. Jayden Smith dribbling skilfully before cutting inside, and his shot forced a good save from Jack Parker, but in the wet conditions he could only parry the ball to Harvey Brook, who took a touch to steady himself before slotting home.

Woking were passing the ball well, but a mistake nearly cost them their lead. Sean Bull misjudged his sliding tackle, and would have been relieved to see Louie Sullivan diving smartly to his left to save Harvey Janaway’s penalty.

The wind and rain were making for a rather scrappy affair, but Woking were to be caught out by a turnaround against the run of play. Firstly, on 37 minutes, Oli Scovell struck a fine drive from outside the edge of the area in to the top corner, beyond the reach of Sullivan. And before the half ended, Janaway side-footed home from Max Boehme’s cross. Woking left the field for the break puzzled as to how they were behind in a game they had been dominating.

Half-time: Woking 1 – 2 Dorking Wanderers

Woking were to dominate after the break too, and could have equalised straight away, Brook just failing to connect to a cross with his header. Undeterred, his excellent work rate continued as Woking pressed forwards.

Fynn Lawrence, relishing the opportunity to start a game, and playing well in central midfield, was to become increasingly involved as the half went on. On 51 minutes his through ball released Stefan Van Wijngaarden to run in on goal, but a heavy touch let him down before he could get his shot away. Woking continued to seek the equaliser, and on 68 minutes somehow managed to hit the underside of the bar without the ball crossing the line. But this was to prove only a temporary reprieve for Dorking. Substitute Roshaun Cooper was to come on to great effect. A fine passing move saw Cooper find Brook, and his excellent touch teed up Harrison Wood to fire home from 6 yards, the scores levelled after 76 minutes.

Dorking had gone close with a well-saved freekick before Woking completed the turnaround in time added on. Another quality Lawrence pass set Brook free, and as Parker came out of his area Brook tried to knock the ball one side of the ‘keeper and run the other. Parker blocked well, but the ball broke to Cooper 35 yards out, and his calm and skilful chip sailed in to the net.

On 45 + 5 minutes Brook nearly made it four, rounding the ‘keeper but finding the side-netting as he tried to shoot pass the covering defender.

The tireless Brook was involved again as Woking did seal the victory, his cross-shot forcing a save that fell to Cooper to tap in from 6 yards. A well-deserved win, and a positive response to the under-performance of the week before.

Woking: Louie Sullivan: Sam Cook (Ben Smith 60), Harrison Wood, George Elston, Sean Bull; Stefan Van Wijngaarden (Roshaun Cooper 70), Fynn Lawrence, Charlie Sweeney ©, Jayden Smith; Bruno Dackombe (Saadiq Bangura-Kerr 81), Harvey Brook. Unused subs: Bob Honey (GK), Jiyah Kapotwe.

Goals: Brook 13, Wood 76, Cooper 90 + 2, 90 + 7.

Dorking Wanderers: Jack Parker, Max Old, Phelan Matheson ©, Ben Grigg, Paolo Sturt; Brandon Engstrom, Harvey Janaway, Oli Scovell (Markos Panoutsos 70), Max Boehme (Isaac Daniels 81); Oli Weller (Beau Purnell 70), Ayden Wright.

Goals: Scovell 37, Janaway 45 + 2. Referee: Charles Sherred.

WEDNESDAY 21st FEBRUARY

Bromley U19 1 - 1 Woking U19 National League Alliance Academy South; Bromley FC, Hayes Lane

Woking took the lead in the second-half, Lui Edwards put through on goal by a misplaced Bromley pass, running clear of the chasing defenders and beating the ‘keeper from the edge

of the area. The equaliser came late on from the penalty spot, Mouland in the Woking goal sent the wrong way by the taker.

Woking: Lewis Mouland; Ryan Scott ©, Tom Gardner, Ethan Gold, Jayden Wynter; Ollie Mason, Alex Rihoy, Harry Newbould; Keion Vassell, Lui Edwards, Aiden Payne-James. Subs: Harry White (GK), Charlie Roberston, Alfie Sandon, Lewis Myrtollari, Sam Wright.

SATURDAY 24th FEBRUARY

Hartley Wintney U23 P – P Woking U23

Suburban Football League, Hartley Wintney

Memorial Ground, Green Lane

Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch

Wednesday 21st February

Jamie Hilton, Centre Midfield, 3rd year

Guildford City: Played in the 1 – 1 draw with Spelthorne Sports.

Ben Mitchell, Forward, 2nd year - Guildford City: Played in the 1 – 1 draw with Spelthorne Sports.

Saturday 24th February.

Owen Crawford, Goalkeeper, 3rd year

Camberley Town: No fixture.

Jack Matton, Centre Back, 2nd year

Binfield: No fixture.

Ollie Mason, Centre Midfield, 2nd year

Ascot United: Unused sub in 2 – 2 draw with Corinthian Casuals.

Lui Edwards, Forward, 3rd year – Banstead

Athletic: Was not involved in 1 – 2 defeat to Seaford Town.

Aiden Payne-James. Forward, 2nd year

Sevenoaks Town: Was not involved in 1 – 0 defeat at Chichester City.

Guildford City did not have a fixture.

ROB ELLIOT

ALEXIS ANDRÉ JR. DAN MOSS

JOSH

SCOTT CUTHBERT

LUKE WILKINSON

DENNON

ROBBIE

REGAN BOOTY

CALLUM WHELAN

KENTON RICHARDSON

LOUIS STOREY

TOM ALLAN

ED FRANCIS

MARCUS DINANGA

GREG OLLEY (C)

BEN WORMAN

KIERON EVANS

HARRISON BOND

DAJAUNE BROWN

CONNOR PANI

JOE GRAYSON

LUKE HANNANT

LIRAK HASANI

CONNOR MCBRIDE

WILL

LEWIS KNIGHT

JACK

MAMADOU

LUCAS