Woking Football Club Limited is a private company limited by shares registered in England, company number 03329172. Material shareholders holding in excess of 10% of the Ordinary shares of Woking Football Club Limited are currently Mr. Peter Jordan, who controls 46%, The Cardinals Supporters’ Society (Chairman Mr. Rupert Phillips) which controls 23% and Final Third Sport UK (Shareholding Directors Mr. Dwight Volpe and Mr John Katz) and which controls 14% of the voting rights in the Company.
Chief Operating Officer: Dave Curtis
Company Secretary: George Burnett
Honorary Vice President: Peter Jordan
Club Ambassador: Geoff Chapple
Business Development Director: Simon Jones
Accounts & Finance Manager: Pam Stevenson
Food & Beverage Manager: Evie Carey
Sales Administrator: Issac Allen-Harris
Media Lead: Jonnie Green
Safety Officer: Amelia Tyson
Ticketing & Operations Executive: Sheena Nichol
Shop Manager: Ben Cavey
Club Chaplain: Ian Nicholson
emaNuele PallaDiNo
It feels like only yesterday that we were celebrating our dramatic last day win of the season against Fylde, and yet here we are 93 days later preparing for our first home preseason fixture to Reading FC.
As I have transitioned from watching in the stands to working at Woking FC this month, I've had the privilege of witnessing first hand the strength of support and well wishes for this great community club from our fans and beyond.
Of course we could not operate without our strong team of stewards and volunteers, and as the season goes on we will be looking to grow our network. So please do get in touch if you have any ideas, questions or feel you have something you wish to offer to the club.
I also want to take this opportunity to mention our Academy and Women's team. Woking is one club with many teams and we look forward to working closely with all our teams to ensure the Woking football community flourishes and reaches its full potential.
“As I have transitioned from watching in the stands to working at Woking FC this month, I've had the privilege of witnessing first hand the strength of support and well wishes for this great community club from our fans and beyond.”
We wish the best of luck to Michael, Ben and all the squad tonight as they continue preparations for the season ahead.
We have a long season ahead and I hope to meet and get to know as many of you as I can.
Best,
Emanuele
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.
Find out our plans for your area: footballfoundation.org.uk
aheaD of The Game
Woking return to the Laithwaite Community Stadium for the first time since April when they welcome Sky Bet League One side Reading for the Cards' third pre-season friendly.
After defeat at Maidstone on the weekend, Michael Doyle will hope that his side can put on a good showing for the first home crowd of the season. The only notable absentee from Saturday was Jermaine Anderson, with Dale Gorman making his first appearance in Woking colours.
Opposition Watch
With their financial problems well-documented, Ruben Selles' Royals pulled off a fantastic season considering the backdrop in Berkshire, finishing in a comfortable 17th place. They were deducted six points for relative issues relating to the ownership of Dai Yongge, who remains owner despite growing talk of an imminent takeover.
Due to the financial issues at the club, Selles has been unable to sign anyone in the window, instead losing a couple of players on free transfers, such as left-back Clinton Mola who has joined Bristol Rovers. The punishments have meant a reliance on youth, with several promotions from the academy for the likes of
WOKING V READING
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 23rd July 2024
19:30 Kick-Off
powerful striker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and former Card Jayden Wareham, who is likely to feature against his old side.
Two behind-closed-doors friendlies have seen Reading beat Watford 2-0 at their training ground, with Wareham on the scoresheet, before a 2-1 defeat to Millwall on Friday in the scorching heat. This will therefore be an opportunity for Reading fans to see their team in action before the season kicks off.
Around the Ground
Ticket information is available here.
Season tickets must be collected before the game to activate your free ticket to this match. The Cardinals Bar and outdoor bar will be open as usual.
Ticket Information
Online sales began Tuesday 25th June at 10am.
Reading supporters are directed to purchase their tickets here.
For more ticketing information, click here.
For disabled supporters, who require a carer ticket, please click here to read how to claim a free Carer ticket and to complete
TICKET INFORMATION
Adults: £12
Concession: £12
Next-Gen (17-22): £6
Under 17 (14-16): £6
Under 14 (13 & under): £5
Carer: £0
a one-time registration.
For any additional queries on ticketing information, please contact the Ticketing Office via tickets@wokingfc.co.uk
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.
Food & Drink
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.
Club Shop
The Club Shop is open two-and-a-half hours before kick-off, located by the Fan Zone.
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 01483 772470, or come to reception Mon - Fri, 09:0017:00, or matchdays, 09:00 - half-time.
Other Information
Away supporter information can be found here. Directions to the ground are available here
Disabled access information is available here
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maTchDaY & Ball SPoNSoRShIP
Booking as part of a business, or simply looking to celebrate in added style? Why not take out a match or ball sponsorship?
You’ll receive all the incredible VIP Hospitality benefits, plus: Match Sponsorship - £1,150.00 + VAT
• Signed home shirt
• Half-page programme promotion
• PA promotion
• Social media and website promotion
• Access to our “Partner Perks” for the 24/25 season
• Full matchday hospitality for a table of ten (add additional guests for only £50 per person)
• Choose player of the match – read out on PA
• Executive VIP parking
Match Ball Sponsorship - £650.00 + VAT
• Signed match ball
• Half-page programme promotion
• PA promotion
• Social media and website promotion
• Access to our “Partner Perks” for the 24/25 season
• Full matchday hospitality experience for a table of six (add additional guests for only £50 per person)
PlaYeR SPoNSoRShIP
The club are delighted to announce the Player Sponsorship package for the 24/25 season.
The club have reviewed the price and enhanced the offer to make supporting your favourite 1st team management or player more accessible and rewarding.
From the 24/25 season, player and management sponsors will receive:
• Signed match worn home and away jerseys near the start of the season presented at our Player & Management Sponsors dinner.
• Dedicated video shout-out from the player on signing and/ or on your birthday/special event (or a significant others).
• 2 x hospitality tickets during the season and the opportunity to meet your sponsored player after/before the game.
• Option to attend manager/player meet and greet throughout the season.
• Pre-game scoreboard reel with players and your name/ logo next to them.
Price for 24/25 player sponsorship is £900 + VAT. To sponsor a player, please email Simon, the club's Business Development Director, on simon.jones@wokingfc.co.uk.
Tunji Akinola
Dan Moss
Will Jääskeläinen
Dennon Lewis Lewis Walker
Charley Kendell Matt Robinson
Dion Kelly-Evans
Josh Smith
Timi Odusina
Rohan Ince
Jermaine Anderson
Max Dyche
Harry Beautyman
Cian Harries
Dale Gorman
Jacob Jones
Ben Wynter
Phil Marlow Malcolm Jobling
Ben Turner
Michael Doyle
Thinesh
ReaDING fc
www.readingfc.co.uk
Founded in 1871, Reading FC turned professional in 1896, leading to a need for a bigger ground. They moved to Elm Park, where they would stay for more than a century, being elected to the Football League Third Division South in 1920.
In 1927, they made the FA Cup semi final, losing to eventual winners Cardiff City, whilst maintaining their Third Division South place until 1986, when they were promoted to the Second Division. Despite silverware in the form of the Simod Cup, 1988 saw the club relegated back to the Third Division, but success was to come a few years after.
CLICK HERE for the complete squad list
Champions of the new Division Two in 1994, the Royals came second in Division One, being denied promotion due to the number of Premier League teams being cut from 22 to 20. Instead, they entered the playoffs, agonisingly missing out to Bolton Wanderers 4-3 despite having been 2-0 up.
Relegation back to Division Two followed shortly after in 1998, the same year the club left Elm Park to move to the all-seater Madejski Stadium. Returning to Division One as runners-up in 2003, momentum carried the club forwards, and another play-off failure was short lived, with the 2005-06 Championship season breaking multiple records.
Steve Coppell’s side scored 99 goals, lost only two games and picked up a record 106 points to steamroll their way to the Championship title, before their first ever Premier League season saw the club finish eighth with an impressive 55 points. However, second season syndrome hit the club hard, with relegation back to the Championship.
After two play-off attempts in three seasons, former Woking manager Brian McDermott guided the club to the 2011-12 Championship title, but this time, their Premier League stay lasted just a singular season.
In 2017, Dai Yongge acquired the club from its Thai consortium, and a failure to keep tabs on spending led to the club being deducted six points in November 2021 for reporting pre-tax
losses of £146m, significantly above the EFL limit of £13m.
More deductions helped seal the club’s exit from the Championship with relegation to League One in 2022-23, as another six point deduction plunged Reading into the relegation zone. Several more punishments have followed, and a game against Port Vale at the Madejski was abandoned in January due to a pitch invasion.
With several parties interested in taking over the club, Reading are at a standstill with player transfers until all is resolved. We wish Reading all the best with their immediate future and hope a solution can be reached.
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Turn your passion for football into a career with the University Campus of Football Business where you can study a wide range of courses with access to iconic stadiums and global summits .
Over 90%* of UCFB graduates find fulltime employment within 6 months of graduating with two thirds of those working in football and sport
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hoSPiTaliTY PacK aGe S 24/25
Woking Football Club is pleased to confirm its matchday hospitality prices for 2024/25.
Enjoy VIP matchday hospitality for only £65 per person at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.
You will be able to book in advance for all 24/25 fixtures online once the list has been released.
What’s included?
• Three-course meal* prepared by our in-house chef team using locally sourced ingredients supplied by Simmons Family Butchers and Boz’s Fruit & Veg.
• Executive leather padded seats in the Seymours Community Stand.
• Dedicated lounge emcee.
• Exclusive bar and drinks options.
• Pre-match first-team management or player visit.
• Hear from the match sponsors’ player of the match after the game.
Existing 2024/25 season ticket holders can enjoy a discount of £15pp for single-match hospitality. All payments for VIP matchday hospitality tickets shall be payable upon booking. Please note – cash is not accepted in the Geoff Chapple Lounge, and we will not accept cash payments on the day. Bookings are
only provisional until payment is made. All payments for hospitality season tickets shall be payable upon booking. If you have already purchased a 2024/25 season ticket**** and wish to upgrade to hospitality or platinum for the season, do so by calling the Club on 01483 772 470. Hospitality will be bookable online via the online ticketing platform or through the Club phone lines.
Other information
* Consisting of a main meal 1 hour before kick-off, a cold pudding at half-time and a cheeseboard for the table to share post-game. The main meal will either be a meat or vegetarian option (1 option of each) and will be sent out via email one week before the match. If you’d like to request an advance menu, please email tickets@wokingfc. co.uk. Please do not email menu choices in advance, as you will choose on the day. Please only email evie.carey@wokingfc.co.uk with allergen or dietary requirements.
** Under 14’s hospitality will enjoy all the benefits of a VIP Hospitality ticket; however, their main meal options are: Cheeseburger & Chips, Hotdog & Chips, Vegan Hotdog & Chips
*** The platinum package includes all the VIP perks, plus five drink vouchers to use per matchday at the Geoff Chapple Lounge bar, which may be redeemed for draught beer pints, 187ml wine by the glass, single spirits with mixers or soft drinks. Please note that platinum packages are only available for hospitality season ticket holders.
2024/25 fIXTuRe S
DATE OPPONENT
AUGUST
Sat Aug 10 Altrincham
Sat Aug 17 Gateshead
Tue Aug 20 Dagenham & Redbridge
Sat Aug 24 Ebbsfleet United
Mon Aug 26 Hartlepool United
Sat Aug 31 Rochdale
SEPTEMBER
Sat Sep 7 Braintree Town
Tue Sep 10 Wealdstone
Sat Sep 14 Oldham Athletic
Sat Sep 21 AFC Fylde
Tue Sep 24 Eastleigh
Sat Sep 28 Sutton United
OCTOBER
Sat Oct 5 York City
Sat Oct 12 Emirates FA Cup 4Q
Sat Oct 19 Tamworth
Tue Oct 22 Solihull Moors
Sat Oct 26 Forest Green Rovers
NOVEMBER
Sat Nov 9 FC Halifax Town
Sat Nov 16 Boston United
Sat Nov 23 Barnet
Tue Nov 26 Southend United
Sat Nov 30 Yeovil Town
DECEMBER
Sat Dec 7 Isuzu FA Trophy 3
Sat Dec 14 Gateshead
Sat Dec 21 Altrincham
Thu Dec 26 Aldershot Town
JANUARY
Wed Jan 1 Maidenhead United
Sat Jan 11 Yeovil Town
Tue Jan 14 Dagenham & Redbridge
Sat Jan 18 Ebbsfleet United
Sat Jan 25 Hartlepool United
FEBRUARY
Sat Feb 1 Rochdale
Sat Feb 8 York City
Sat Feb 15 Tamworth
Tue Feb 18 Solihull Moors
Sat Feb 22 Forest Green Rovers
MARCH
Sat Mar 1 FC Halifax Town
Tue Mar 4 Southend United
Sat Mar 8 Boston United
Sat Mar 15 Barnet
Sat Mar 22 Wealdstone
Sat Mar 29 Braintree Town
APRIL
Sat Apr 5 Oldham Athletic
Sat Apr 12 AFC Fylde
Fri Apr 18 Maidenhead United
Mon Apr 21 Aldershot Town
Sat Apr 26 Eastleigh
MAY
Mon May 5 Sutton United
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.
maScoTS PacKaGe
There are two options available
Package One: Full Experience £120* (includes match shirt)
*Current season ticket holders receive a 10% discount (£108 total cost)
• 2024/25 match shirt
• Pre-match stadium tour
• Complimentary match day tickets for 1 adult and 1 child.
• Meet & Greet with photo opportunities with players
• Food & drink voucher.
• Kickabout pitch side as the players warm up.
• Digital programme feature
• Tannoy announcement
• Walk out with the players
• Picture with team captains and match officials
• A Woking FC representative present throughout
Package Two: Full Experience £80* (does not include match shirt)
*Current season ticket holders receive a 10% discount (£72 total cost) Includes all the above
A training top will be lent to the mascot to wear during the pitch-walk in the case that you do not have the current 24/25 match shirt.
Team Mascot Packages are available – please contact the club for more information.
Please note fixtures are subject to availability, If you have any further questions or special requests email simon.jones@wokingfc.co.uk
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 2024/25 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.
Supporting Small Businesses
Wo kING FC
MANAGER: MICHAEL DOYLE
DAN MOSS
LEWIS WALKER
DENNON LEWIS
MATT ROBINSON
TUNJI AKINOLA
WILL JÄÄSKELÄINEN
JERMAINE ANDERSON
ROHAN INCE
DION KELLY-EVANS
JOSH SMITH
CHARLEY KENDALL
MAX DYCHE
CIAN HARRIES
JACOB JONES
TIMI ODUSINA
BEN WYNTER
HARRY BEAUTYMAN
DALE GORMAN
TOM DRYER
rE ADING FC
MANAGER: RUBÉN SELLÉS
DAVID BUTTON
BEN ELLIOTT
HARLEE DEAN
HARVEY KNIBBS
CHARLIE SAVAGE
SAM SMITH
FEMI AZEEZ
KELVIN EHIBHATIOMHAN
ANDY YIADOM
JAYDEN WAREHAM
JERIEL DORSETT
DEAN BOUZANIS
JOEL PEREIRA
TYLER BINDON
AMADOU MBENGUE
MAMADI CAMARÁ
LEWIS WING
KELVIN ABREFA
CONIAH BOYCE-CLARKE
MICHAEL CRAIG
TIVONGE RUSHESHA
MATCHDAY OFFICIALS
Referee: Charles Breakspear
Assistants: Greg Read, Marcus Carmichael 4th Official: Adam Merchant
