JOHN kATZ
Greetings, and welcome back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium for this afternoon’s matchup between your Cards and our visitors from Altrincham.
Saturday at Kidderminster did not yield the result we had all hoped for, but 1 point earned will always be better than 0 points. Neither side really did enough to win, but we defended exceptionally well (especially in the box), and we started the season with a clean sheet which is a very good sign.
A massive thanks to the 420 travelling Cards on Saturday. It was an absolute masterclass performance from the away end, and we all appreciate you making the journey.
As we meet at the Laithwaite for the first time this season, I’d like to thank each of you for being a supporter of this amazing football club. From
myself and my partner Drew Volpe, along with the Club’s Board of Directors and shareholders… Thank you.
“As we meet at the Laithwaite for the first time this season, I’d like to thank each of you for being a supporter of this amazing football club."
As was the case last season, this season again will not come without changes. If you’re reading this, you already know what one of the first big changes is. We’ve made the shift to digital programmes for several reasons. Firstly, it allows us to distribute matchday programmes free to all fans in attendance. It affords our commercial partners the opportunity to use videos and hyperlinks in their own ads and will dramatically increase the number of people who get to see their ads. For those who like a keepsake of the match, we will have Matchday Collectables available for purchase at the programme huts.
Piloted at the play-off, we’ve now become a more traditional stadium where you pick a seat to sit in or a terrace to stand on. The decision to launch the seating reconfiguration is a direct result of our growing base of support. With the new system, you’ll pick the area you wish to be in and will need to watch the match from the area you selected. While this
does stop migration into different sections, it does not restrict your ability to move about the ground as usual to enjoy the Cardinals Bar, the Fan Zone, and the Club Shop.
It's important to note that this was done for safety reasons with the additional benefit of alleviating queues at the turnstiles by designating entry gates based on seating area to ensure a smoother, faster entry into the Laithwaite. It will take a bit of getting used to for sure, but bear with us as we grow.
Lastly, with our switch to Pro Direct, our kit has arrived late, and shop inventory is low. As a thank you to our Season Ticket Holders, our 20% Season Ticket Holder shop discount will be extended through 31 August.
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
“A massive thanks to the 420 travelling Cards on Saturday. It was an absolute masterclass performance from the away end, and we all appreciate you making the journey."
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AHe AD Of THe GAMe
a traditional non-league powerhouse, having spent much of their modern history in the National League. However, after consecutive relegations in 2015-16 and 2016-17 left the Cheshire side at step 3 of the non-league pyramid, current manager Phil Parkinson took charge in April 2017, and won Alty the Northern Premier League at the first time of asking, before achieving promotion back to the National League at just the second attempt.
12th August 2023
15:00 Kick-Off
Woking will look to pick up their first win of the season when they welcome Altrincham to the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Saturday.
Despite being far from their best at Aggborough, a 0-0 draw against a potential banana skin in Kidderminster Harriers represented a decent result for the Cards, and in particular all three substitutes; Nana Boateng, Tunji Akinola and Robbie Willmott, all managed to impress and stake their claim for a starting position against Alty.
Alongside the side-lined Jermaine Anderson, five players were not included in the squad on Saturday, those being Luke Wilkinson, Sam Habergham, Charlie Wakefield, Manny Oyeleke and Dennon Lewis. There is a chance that several could make the matchday squad as Darren Sarll looks to give every player a chance to stake their claim.
OPPOSITION WATCH
Promoted through the National League North playoffs in 2020, Altrincham are well known as
17th place in their first season back was a solid start to life back in the National League, before 14th and 17th placed finishes in their last two seasons have seen Alty fully establish themselves at this level. Last season was something of a transition year, with the club going full time for the first time in its history, with hopes of a playoff place well and truly extinguished following a January exodus which saw key players such as Ryan Colclough and Chris Conn-Clarke depart.
However, an exciting summer has seen some promising signings, with Conn-Clarke on a permanent deal from Fleetwood by far the standout. The winger/midfielder is a versatile playmaker who is exciting to watch and productive, with ten goals last season before January for Alty. Other additions include former Woking stalwart Joey Jones, exciting forward Justin Donawa, former title winner Dior Angus and pacey winger Justin Amaluzor, who was signed from Aldershot Town.
LAST TIME OUT
Alty turned on the style to defeat Woking 3-1 at Moss Lane, despite a 13th minute Marcus Dackers header opening the scoreline for the Cards. Goals from Regan Linney, Maxi Oyedele and Josh Lundstram condemned Woking to defeat, with Linney assisting two goals as well as scoring from the spot.
The last time these sides met at the Laithwaite was in November 2022, with a last gasp Padraig Amond free kick cancelling out Elliot Newby’s goal just after half time in a 1-1 draw.
AROUND THE GROUND
Ticket details are available here.
The Club is also giving supporters an additional opportunity to collect their season tickets, which will be available from the Kingfield Road Turnstiles from 11:00 to 14:00.
Cardinals Bar will be open to season ticket and match ticket holders for the Women's World Cup Quarter-Final between England and Colombia, with gates opening at 11:00. £4 pints of Madri, Hogsback, Carling and Cold River Cider will be available until 13:00.
TICKET DETAILS
The fixture will take place at the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Saturday 12th August, 15:00 kick-off.
Following on from a successful 2022/23 season, this is Woking's first home league match of the 2023/24 season.
TICKET INFORMATION
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. Click here for more information.
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.
OTHER 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.
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 at Laithwaite Community Stadium
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. The shop is also open Mon - Fri, 10:00 - 16:00, upon check-in at reception.
Introducing the 2023/24 adidas Home Kit
Supplied by ProDirect Clubhouse, the shirt will be available in-store at the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Saturday 12th August, for the Altrincham home match.
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fROM THe ARCHIVe S
BEFORE WE MET
Woking and Altrincham spent most of their earlier history in regional leagues, it was not until 1968 that Altrincham made it out of county football to become founder members of the Northern Premier League. After eleven seasons, and after winning the FA Trophy by beating Leatherhead at Wembley, they became founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979, winning the first two championship titles. However, election to the Football League eluded them on both occasions. During the rest of the 1980s the Robins maintained a competitive Conference side as Woking fell away to the Isthmian League division two south. As automatic promotion to and from the Football League was brought in, the gap of three divisions between the sides started to close from 1987. Woking lifted the division two south title trophy at Whyteleafe, as Alty lifted the FA Trophy at Wembley, after beating Runcorn. It took another three years for Woking to close the gap again,
gaining promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division in 1990, as Altrincham stagnated to a mid-table Conference team. 1991 saw the Robins miss out on promotion by five points, as Woking’s famous FA Cup run caused them to miss out on promotion too. However, the following season saw the Cards romp to the Isthmian League title, and despite a nine-game losing run, Altrincham managed to stay up by two points, resulting in the two clubs meeting for the first time in 1992
OUR FIRST SEASONS TOGETHER
The Cheshire outfit visited Kingfield for the first time in October 1992, and despite having the majority of possession, a naïve Woking, who were still finding their feet at this level, were left emptyhanded. The Cards travelled north to Moss Lane, for their first visit, in March 1993. The return of the Wye brothers had seen Woking’s form improve and they had climbed the table.
WOKING V ALTRINCHAM
Despite this Gerry Quinn’s side completed a league double with a single goal.
It was January 1994 before the clubs met again, Paul Rowlands welcomed an improved Cards side to Cheshire. Goals from Clive Walker and Dave Puckett helped Woking rise to fourth, as Alty dropped into the relegation zone, but with games in hand. Altrincham had changed manager again by March and John King had overseen a vast improvement in their form with three consecutive victories. Barry Lakin gave Woking the lead, but the Robins earned a draw, in a game that saw Lennie Dennis break his jaw and miss the rest of the season, including Woking’s first-ever FA Trophy victory at Wembley, against Runcorn. Altrincham continued their improved form with a top-half finish.
A more stable and unbeaten Altrincham hosted Woking in August 1994, but the Cards inflicted the Robins first defeat of the season, with two quick goals before half-time from Scott Steele and Darran Hay. The Cards then had to withstand a late onslaught to earn the three points. Both clubs had good cup runs, Alty reached the FA Cup 3rd round, losing to Spurs, while Woking successfully defended the FA Trophy, therefore the Cards were left to play four league games in six days in May, the second of these was against the Robins, at Kingfield. Although Macclesfield had wrapped up the title Woking and Altrincham sat second and third, and a convincing home victory contributed to the Cards holding on to the runners-up spot, their highest ever league finish.
THE RIVALRY CONTINUES
In the Summer of 1995 John King took control of the Cheshire club to stave off the threat of
extinction. In October, Woking were defending a 100% home record when Altrincham visited and Darran Hay and Clive Walker goals maintained this run, the Cards would end the season undefeated at home. In March, the Cards visited Moss Lane whilst just four points off the top of the table and very much in the title race. But a 2-0 home victory reflected an away form that ended up costing Woking their best-ever chance of promotion to the Football League. The Cards achieved a second consecutive runners-up spot, while Altrincham finished in mid-table.
1996/97 season was Altrincham’s eighteenth consecutive season in the top-flight of non-league football and both teams started the season solidly. The early season draw was Altrincham’s fourth 1-1 draw in eight games. When John King brought his team to Surrey in November, Woking had just knocked Millwall out of the FA Cup and were on a high. Woking ‘ripped Altrincham apart’ to record their record Conference victory. With five minutes
left Scott Steele was accused of showboating and suffered a rather agricultural challenge, which saw him leave the field injured just after the third substitution had been made. As Woking went on to reach the FA Cup 3rd round and finished in the top five again, Altrincham only managed three wins in the second half of the season to plummet from mid-table to bottom of the league, their ever-present record in the Conference was ended.
BACK TOGETHER
After one season of adjustment, the Robins bounced back at the second attempt. By September 1999 both clubs looked quite different, King had gone so it was Bernard Taylor who welcomed Brian McDermott’s Woking side to Moss Lane. Both clubs were again suffering from limited finances and were hovering just below midway in the table. This parity carried over onto the field with another one-all draw, Darran Hay yet again scoring against the Cheshire outfit. February saw Woking in the relegation places, a point off the bottom and four points behind Altrincham, although they had games in hand. Instead of scoring, Darran Hay was sent off just before halftime and Altrincham left with three precious points after a single goal victory. At the start of March Alty were 10th on 41 points, Woking remained in the bottom three, eleven points behind. Following this, eleven games produced just five points and again Altrincham plummeted down the table, to suffer a second relegation, by one point. In a reversal of fortunes, Woking managed twentytwo points in the same period, mainly due to McDermott being replaced by the returning Colin Lippiatt, bringing back defensive solidity in Kevan Brown with him, and ending up a flattering 14th.
BACK TOGETHER AGAIN
This time it took the Robins five seasons to gain promotion. In 2004 Altrincham took their place in the new Conference North and scraped into the play-offs a point ahead of Harrogate. After winning the north play-offs, they then had to beat the Conference South play-off winners,
Eastbourne Borough, to finally gain promotion. For the 2005/06 season Altrincham hovered just above the relegation places, propped up by their home record, however with their two regular central defenders missing, Woking put them to the sword at Moss Lane with a resounding victory. The return game was the last game of the season, Glenn Cockerill’s Woking were drifting in midtable, but Graham Heathcote’s side had been deducted 18 points for fielding an ineligible player on a number of occasions. The Cards managed to complete the double over the Robins, as they were playing for their FA Trophy final places. Despite the points deduction Alty were saved from relegation due to the voluntary demotion of Canvey Island and because Scarborough did not fulfil financial guidelines.
ALTRINCHAM ESCAPE AGAIN
The teams therefore met again in season 2006/07, and again Woking managed to do the double over the Robins, including coming back from two goals down in the away game. Once again Woking finished in mid-table obscurity and once again Altrincham finished in the relegation places. However, yet again, due to Boston United’s double relegation, Heathcote’s side were reprieved.
For a third consecutive season Altrincham finished in the relegation places in 2007/08. Frank Gray had taken over at Kingfield but despite another early season home victory over winless Altrincham, there was no overall improvement in their league position from the previous season. The Robins managed to gain a home point versus the Cards in the New Year but ended up in the bottom four, unbelievably they were reprieved for a third consecutive season as Halifax Town folded.
NO ESCAPE FOR WOKING
2008/09 saw the tables turn. The opening game of Kim Grant’s reign as Woking manager was at home to Altrincham. After signing a three-year contract, his reign was to last one month! The Robins scored a goal at the end of each half to take three points off the Cards for the first time
in seven matches. Grant left after eight winless matches, at that time Altrincham had only one win and shared the relegation places. By the return game in February, the Robins had climbed to mid-table safety, while Woking were still in relegation trouble. Altrincham duly completed the double over Woking, for the first time in sixteen years, to help to seal the Cards’ fate. With no financial irregularities, clubs folding or voluntary demotions the Cards went down.
UPS AND DOWNS FOR BOTH CLUBS
As Woking failed to gain promotion over the next two seasons, Altrincham finished in the relegation places, for the fourth time in six years, in 2011 and this time they were relegated. Woking were promoted back to the Conference in 2012, by winning the Conference South, and Altrincham followed suit, via the play-offs two years later. The clubs therefore resumed their league fixture after a six-year break in 2014/15. In October, Garry Hill’s
Woking climbed to within three points of leaders Barnet with a convincing victory at Moss Lane, and another Woking double was completed at Kingfield in December as the Cards retained second place in the table, despite that it was the lowest Surrey attendance of all their meetings. All five goals in the two games had come in the second-half. Woking faded to miss out on the play-offs again and Altrincham finished safe from relegation, just above Aldershot. Both teams won their home games the following season. At Kingfield Dan Holman scored on his debut after coming in to replace the long-term injured Scott Rendell, this followed Gez Sole’s opener as Woking won 2-0 for the fourth time in five meetings in Surrey. In Cheshire, Lee Sinnott’s struggling side defeated an off-colour Cards side to end their nine-match unbeaten run. The win took the Robins out of the bottom four, but they returned to end up in the relegation places for a seventh time, with no reprieve Altrincham were relegated for a fourth time.
UP TO DATE
A consecutive relegation followed as the Robins found themselves in the Northern Premier League. In 2018 Alty won the division at the first attempt as Woking were relegated for the second time from the National League. Woking returned from the National League South in 2019 as Altrincham missed out to Chorley in the North play-offs. 2020 saw Altrincham complete a delayed but impressive play-off campaign to regain their place in the National League after another four years away.
2020/21 saw Altrincham impressively climb the table after a slow start. This had stalled though when Phil Parkinson’s side hosted the Cards in February, with five consecutive defeats. Woking had only won one league match in eight themselves, but when Tom Hannigan was sent off for the home side the advantage was surely with the visitors. It was not to be as the ten-men showed more desire to grab the points with a single goal and a fine display from goalkeeper Tony Thompson. In the match back in Woking in March, the points were shared as both clubs finished a forgettable season in the bottom seven.
In 2021/22 the fans were back. Both clubs had an inconsistent start to the season and in late-October this led to an exciting game. The threadbare visitors took an early lead, and then fought back to equalise, before Tahvon Campbell made sure of three points to end a run of four defeats for Woking. The return match in February was just as eventful. Kyran Lofthouse’s Goal of the Season had put Woking two-goals ahead by half-time, but in a game of two halves, two late-goals had the Cards holding on at the end, but they managed to share the points.
Our first meeting last season was at Kingfield in November, a hard-fought game, with a stunning Amond free-kick in second-half injury time earning the Cards a 1-1 draw. In February, 181 Woking fans headed to Altrincham, but Marcus Dackers’ first Woking goal proved to be no more than a consolation in a 3-1 defeat. A bad day, but one that served to unite the team and fans with renewed vision and purpose.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
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7 Ricky Korboa Darren Sarll Dan Rowe 10 Padraig AmondWeLCOMe
CLICK HERE for the complete squad list
EARLY YEARS
Rigby Memorial Club, established 1891, merged with Grapplers to form Broadheath Football Club, a founder member of the Manchester League in 1893.
The name changed to Altrincham in 1903. They won the Cheshire Amateur Cup that season, and both the league and the Cheshire Senior Cup the following season. They won the league again in 1906–07, and moved to their current Moss Lane ground in 1910 (now the J. Davidson Stadium). In 1911 the club joined Division Two of the Lancashire Combination, earning promotion to Division One in the first season, where they remained until World War I. When football resumed, the club joined the Cheshire County League, where they stayed until World War II, finishing as winners in 1932–33.
POST-WAR YEARS
Alty re-joined the Cheshire County League in 1946. They signed Jackie Swindells in 1965, who scored 82 goals in his first season, helping Altrincham to the first of back-to-back league titles. After finishing as runners-up in 1967–68, they joined the Northern Premier League. Alty reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy in 1976–77. They applied for election to the Football League, but were unsuccessful. The following season they won the FA Trophy and applied for election as league runners-up but were out-voted. Altrincham joined the Alliance Premier League, the top level of non-League football, the winner of which was the sole non-League nomination for Football League ballots. Despite winning the next two seasons, they were not elected.
LAST 5 SEASONS
UPS AND DOWNS
The club made an FA Trophy final appearance in 1981–82, followed by a win in 1985.
1985–86 saw one of the biggest FA Cup giant-killings when Alty defeated top division Birmingham City away. They have knocked seventeen Football League sides out of the FA Cup, more than any other non-League club.
After finishing bottom of the Conference in 1996–97, the club was relegated to the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League. In 1999–2000 they returned to the Conference, lasting one season before they were relegated again. In 2003–04 they joined Conference North and were promoted to the Conference National via the play-offs.
THE MODERN ERA
Three seasons running from 2005–08, Altrincham finished bottom, but were not relegated as other clubs dropped out. However, they dropped to the Conference North after 2010–11. In 2013–14 they came back but in 2015–16 the club was relegated again. The following season they dropped to the
Premier Division of the Northern Premier League. However, 2017–18 saw the club return to the National League North.
Altrincham's 2019–20 play-off campaign earned promotion to the National League, still part-time, since when they have finished 17th, 14th and 17th. They now embark on their second season as a fulltime professional club.
The club has the nickname "the Robins" from having played in red with a white vertical stripe at the front for much of their history.
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
LEAGUE TABLE
Bringing Your Opto-Mechanical Ideas To Life.
WOKING FC ALTRINCHAM FC
MANAGER: DARREN SARLL
MANAGER: PHIL PARKINSON JOE DAY
JOSH CASEY (C)
LEWIS
OFFICIALS
REFEREE: JASON RICHARDSON
ASSISTANTS: HARLEY MCKITTRICK, DAVID PILLING
FOURTH: NEIL FYFIELD
REGAN LINNEY
CHRIS CONN-CLARKE
JUSTIN AMALUZOR
LIAM BROCKBANK
DIOR ANGUS
JAKE COOPER
SAM ROSCOE
JUSTIN DONAWA
GEORGE WILSON
TOM JONES
MATTHEW GOULD
JOEY JONES
LOUI WILLIAMS
EWAN MCGREADY
ETHAN ROSS
GEORGE BURROUGHS
UP NEXT AT HOME
ROCHDALE AFC
TUE 15TH AUG 19.45PM
Click here an hour before kick-off for the starting XI