TUESDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2023
KICK OFF: 19:45
Greetings, and welcome back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium for this evening’s matchup between your Cards and our visitors from FC Halifax Town.
After a run of matches with mixed results, Saturday’s victory away to AFC Fylde was very much a Woking FC performance. As we all know, table position and form don’t always paint the whole picture – especially when you play those matches away from home. With the exception of a strong 5–10-minute spell at the start of the second half from our hosts, the Cards dominated the Coasters for nearly the entire match. Podge scored a free kick that should be in consideration for goal of the season, and debutante Lewis
"After a run of matches with mixed results, Saturday’s victory away to AFC Fylde was very much a Woking FC performance."
Walker headed home for our second goal before the lads professionally kept the opposition at bay. Three points and a clean sheet will always make those long journeys worth the trip.
Today, we face an FC Halifax side which has also had mixed form of late, but has a very strong record against the Cards over the past few years. Last year, we went to Halifax and won 0-4 including a brace from Reece Grego-Cox. I also won their 50/50 which was a nice bonus. On the return fixture here at the Laithwaite, we lost 0-1.
Today presents a great opportunity to boost our home form and potentially climb back into the
top 7. The home support in full voice always lifts our performances.
Today is also the first day of my football career that Geoff Chapple has not been sitting a mere 12 yards from me in our offices at the Laithwaite.
To say that Geoff Chapple is a legend at this Club is an understatement. To say that his mentorship has been invaluable to me is also an understatement.
Thanks Geoff. Enjoy your retirement. And enjoy your football. See you tonight.
Always remember that the complaint (and compliment) line is always open. Just email me at john.katz@wokingfc.co.uk and we can take in your feedback. Or, as the kids say, you can slide into my DMs on Twitter at @jekatz33.
Best,
John Katz Chief Executive
"Today is also the first day of my football career that Geoff Chapple has not been sitting a mere 12 yards from me in our offices at the Laithwaite."
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.”
Find out our plans for your area: footballfoundation.org.uk
just 12 goals scored; they've failed to score on five occasions so far. Rob Harker with three goals scored is the Shaymen's top scorer.
3rd October 2023
19:45 Kick-Off
Woking will hope to climb back into the National League top seven when they host FC Halifax Town at the Laithwaite on Tuesday.
Saturday's 2-0 win at AFC Fylde was much needed; not just because it got the Cards their first win in four, but also because Dennon Lewis, Sam Habergham and Reece Grego-Cox made returns to the matchday squad, with the former two both getting valuable minutes. And with the news that Rohan Ince could be back for Tuesday, Woking will hope this means players can be rotated ahead of another home game on Saturday.
Ticket pricing and other details are available here.
This is the second game of the 'Two for Tuesday' promotion, meaning anyone who bought tickets to the Ebbsfleet home game online will be able to use that ticket for this fixture.
FA Trophy winners last season, the Shaymen lost top scorer Mani Dieseruvwe in the summer to Hartlepool United, and he's proved hard to replace. Only Kidderminster and Maidenhead have scored less than Halifax this season, with
However, just two teams (Solihull Moors and Bromley) have conceded less goals (13) than Chris Millington's side, landing them the joint third best defensive record in the league, along with the Cards. Following the loss of captain Jack Senior to League Two side Doncaster Rovers, Halifax landed former Bolton loanee Adam Senior on a permanent deal, and there's a familiar face in midfield in former Woking loanee Kane Thompson-Sommers, signed from Hereford in the summer.
The Shaymen have won three, drawn six and lost four of their opening 13 games, meaning they currently sit 16th with a points return of 15. Away from home, they've won two, drawn two and lost two, with both wins coming against Greater Manchester sides in Oldham and Rochdale.
Rob Harker's goal was enough to effectively end Woking's hopes of a third placed finish last season, as despite Mani Dieseruvwe's second half red card, the Shaymen were 1-0 victors at the Laithwaite in late April.
This was in complete contrast to the demolition job inflicted on Halifax at the Shay in October 2022, as two goals from Reece Grego-Cox, a James Daly opener and a Kian Spence own goal saw the Cards run out 4-0 victors.
Since Woking were promoted back into the division in 2019, they've won two of the eight matchups with the Shaymen, losing four and drawing two. Their last win at the Laithwaite against Halifax was in April 2015, when two stoppage time goals saw the ten man Cards win 3-2 in the last game of the 2014/15 season.
Adults: £20
Concession: £15
Next-Gen (17-22): £12
Under 17 (14-16): £8
Under 14 (13 & under): £5
Prices will increase on the turnstile and supporters are encouraged to purchase in advance.
Home supporters can purchase tickets here. Away supporters can purchase tickets here.
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
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.
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.
At the end of this month, English football at every level will unite to promote Play Safe – a national campaign to focus attention of the vital importance of safeguarding in our national game. Led by The Football Association, the Play Safe campaign is endorsed by the NSPCC and supported by every level of the game, including the Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, and right across the grassroots game.
We are proud to be supporting Play Safe on our website and social media channels – and by making an online Play Safe Pledge. Our pledge will see Club captain, Josh Casey, lead Woking Football Club out with the Play Safe armband.
Of course, safeguarding is everyone’s
responsibility, so if you haven’t already, why not make your own Play Safe Pledge? We encourage you to do so.
This year’s Play Safe weekend has two main messages:
• ‘Everyone, everywhere, every time’ should have an understanding of safeguarding in football;
• Everyone should ‘watch, listen, talk and act’ if they have any safeguarding concerns.
If you have a safeguarding concern, or would like some advice, the best contact at Woking is admin@wokingfc.co.uk.
Together, let’s create an ever-safer culture across the game we all love.
Our team of experts work every day to make the UK healthier, happier, fitter and stronger. At Nuffield Health Woking hospital, we take a personalised approach to help you see a consultant in as little as 24 hours.
Nuffield Health Woking Hospital are introducing robotic arm-assisted precision surgery for orthopaedic surgery.
With our highly experienced surgeons working in harmony with state-of-the-art equipment, the hip and knee replacement surgery we offer has evolved – bringing patients a range of enhanced benefits. The result: even greater surgical precision, leading to improved outcomes, decreased pain and faster patient recovery.
For further information visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/woking or call 01483 227 800.
Woking Specsavers proudly sponsors
Unit 17-19 Wolsey Walk, West Mall, Wolsey Place Shopping Centre, Woking, GU21 6XU
SPONSOR YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYER
For sponsorship enquiries email admin@wokingfc.co.uk
16 Tunji Akinola
SPONSOR AVAILABLE
5 Greg Taylor SPONSOR AVAILABLE
SPONSOR AVAILABLE
8 Robbie Willmott
4 Scott Cuthbert SPONSOR AVAILABLE
28 Sam Habergham SPONSOR AVAILABLE
2 Dan Moss SPONSORED BY Rosemary Johnson & Matthew Erskine
SPONSORED BY
17 Jim Kellermann Katie Langhorn, Mortgage Advisor
SPONSOR AVAILABLE
18 Manny Oyeleke
6 Luke Wilkinson SPONSOR AVAILABLE
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12 Matt Robinson
22 Will Jaaskelainen SPONSORED BY
3 Josh Casey SPONSORED BY
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24 Rohan Ince
21 Timi Odusina SPONSOR AVAILABLE
1 Alexis Andre Jr. SPONSOR AVAILABLE
7 Ricky Korboa SPONSOR AVAILABLE
Dan Rowe SPONSOR AVAILABLE
11 Dennon Lewis SPONSORED BY
Phil Marlow SPONSOR AVAILABLE
23 Jermaine Anderson SPONSOR AVAILABLE
Malcolm Jobling Motorvation & the Langridge family
Ian Dyer SPONSOR AVAILABLE
Deanne Goring SPONSOR AVAILABLE
9 Reece Grego-Cox SPONSOR AVAILABLE
19 Charlie Wakefield SPONSOR AVAILABLE
10 Padraig Amond SPONSORED BY Manny Matern
26 Nana Boateng SPONSORED BY
14 Rhys Browne SPONSORED BY
Marlon Beresford SPONSORED BY
Darren Sarll SPONSORED BY
fchalifaxtown.com
Tax debts buried Halifax Town AFC after almost 100 years and it went into administration in 2007/08. It was replaced by FC Halifax Town which started off in the Northern Premier League Division One North. Playing at The Shay gave them the nickname, the Shaymen. Town's colours are blue and white.
FC Halifax's first season ended in 8th place. In April 2009, Neil Aspin was appointed as manager and the team won the 2009/10 league with 100 points, scoring 108 goals. They also reached the FA Cup 4th qualifying round.
Halifax started 2010/11 in the Northern Premier League. Jamie Vardy (who later played for Leicester City and England) helped Halifax to backto-back promotions as top scorer. Halifax again reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. On New Year's Day 2011, Town beat FC United of
Manchester, attracting a crowd of 4,023, at the time the record for the Northern Premier League.
The club had a slow start to their first season in the Conference North. However, the Shaymen reached the 1st round of the FA Cup and rose to 3rd by the end of the season, losing in the play-offs to Gainsborough Trinity, 2-3 on aggregate.
In 2012/13, Halifax made it to the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup and the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy. But the cup-runs plus postponements from poor weather caused a huge fixture back-log and, by February, Halifax had ten games in hand on some teams. Despite playing 12 games in 27 days, they reached the play-offs and won the final 1–0 against Brackley Town with a solitary goal by Lee Gregory.
Halifax finished the 2013/14 season in the playoff positions of the National League (the highest placed semi-professional team in the country), but lost 1-2 to Cambridge United in the semi-final. Halifax started the new season with five wins, placing them top of the league. In the 1st round of the FA Cup, Halifax played Bradford City, which attracted 8,042 spectators (Town's record attendance), losing 2–1. Form dropped off, leaving them 9th at the end of the season. Their third season in the National League was a poor one. Aspin was replaced by Darren Kelly, who was fired after under two months. Jim Harvey became caretaker manager but couldn't prevent Halifax's relegation back to the National League North. However, they won the 2016 FA Trophy, defeating Grimsby Town 1-0 at Wembley.
Harvey was replaced by Billy Heath and Town returned to the National League, winning the play-off final, beating Chorley 2-1 after extra time,
in front of nearly 8000 fans. Heath was replaced by Jamie Fullarton, who guided them to 16th in the 2017/18 season, a finishing position they repeated in 2018/19.
During pre-season 2019/20, Fullarton was replaced with Pete Wild. After Covid-19 curtailed the season, points per game put Halifax in the play-offs, but the Shaymen lost 2-1 to Boreham Wood. Halifax finished the following season in 10th place - four points outside the play-offs, with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic meaning the vast majority of fixtures were played behind closed doors.
The 2021/22 season saw a fourth-place finish before losing their home play-off quarter-final 1-2 to Chesterfield, who had finished seventh. Chris Millington replaced Pete Wild as Manager at the end of May 2022, and last season Halifax finished 11th, and won the FA Trophy, defeating Gateshead 1-0 at Wembley, with Jamie Cooke getting the 44th minute winner.
Previous clubs: Curzon Ashton, Oldham
Millington was a midfielder by trade and was briefly at Manchester City as a youngster before spells at York, Crewe and local clubs in his native Manchester. He did not have a professional playing career and a coaching course recommended by a friend brought fresh inspiration. His coaching career began with Altrincham's under 18s before working at Stockport County's Centre of Excellence. After a brief spell in Croatia he joined up with Pete Wild at Oldham. Having worked together in Oldham's academy, Wild and Millington were twice handed the first-team reins during the 2018-19 season, the highlight being a win at Fulham in the FA Cup.
When Wild moved to Halifax in 2019, Millington joined him as Assistant Manager. In the three seasons following their appointments Halifax achieved three top ten positions, two of which included play-off campaigns. When Wild left for AFC Barrow at the end of the 2021/22 season, Millington was appointed First Team Manager in his own right. Last season Chris led his team clear of the relegation zone to an 11th place finish, and an FA Trophy Final victory over Gateshead.
Position: Forward Age: 23 Number: 9
Previous clubs: Bury youth, Burnley, Hartlepool United (loan).
The striker came through the youth ranks at Bury, making two first team appearances in the EFL Trophy, before signing for the then Premier League side Burnley, scoring his first goal days after signing in a pre-season friendly against Stalybridge Celtic. During the 2019/20 season, Harker spent time on loan at Hartlepool United in the Vanarama National League, making seven appearances in February and March.
During the 20/21 season, Harker made 11 appearances in the Premier League 2, helping the under 23 side to a 7th placed finish. In the season prior to making the move to the Shay, Harker made just six appearances for the under 23s in the Premier League 2, due to an injury. He then moved to Halifax in summer ‘22.
From the Cards point of view the most significant of his eight goals in thirty-five appearances last season, was the goal that earnt the Shaymen a 1-0 win at Kingfield in April, effectively ending our hopes of a third-place finish. This season he has three goals from his first ten appearances.
Our fixture history begins as Halifax are relegated to the Conference in 1993, Jon Woozley picks up the story.
The Shaymen were founder members of the Football League Third Division North in 1921, and continually flirted with the bottom two divisions until relegation in 1993, joining the Conference one season after Woking had gained promotion to it. New manager Peter Wragg brought his team to the inaugural meeting at Kingfield in September, still searching for their first win of the season. Both clubs were languishing towards the lower reaches of the division, and the Shaymen certainly found it in Surrey! Woking earned the dubious honour of being the victims of Halifax’s first ever non-league victory, as youth product Jamie Paterson led the charge, with two goals, in a 2-6 thrashing for the visitors, their largest victory in over a decade. The Cards did not have to wait long for the return match, as they travelled to The Shay one month later. By then Chris Lucketti had been transferred to Bury for £50,000 but this did not seem to make any difference as Halifax raced into a 2-0 lead after only eight minutes! In the second half Woking came out and produced a performance ‘among the best seen by the club at this level’, goals by Andy Clement, Mark Tucker and an 87th minute winner from Dave Puckett saw Woking collect three points for the third consecutive match as they rose to eighth. The Cards improvement continued as they went on to finish 3rd, twelve points ahead of their mid-table opponents.
For the 1994/95 season, the FA Trophy holders opened their league campaign against John Bird’s Shaymen at Kingfield. The well organised Yorkshiremen again won the three points, thanks in part to a wickedly deflected shot and a long range ‘worldy’, before Scott Steele replied in a 1-3 defeat - Halifax had David German sent off. The return game, in February, came during an atrocious winter of many postponements, and both clubs were in the top seven, waiting for Macclesfield to slip up. However, Woking, missing Geoff Chapple with food poisoning, slipped up and were severely punished for series of errors, losing 4-0. These two games could be said to have been very costly to Woking, as the runnersup missed out on the title by five points and eight goals. Halifax improved on the previous season, finishing eighth, but then had to battle to survive when closure seemed inevitable.
September 1995 saw Woking receive Halifax on the back of a 100% home record and days after hearing the news that the council had approved plans for a new 2,000-seater stand. This boost helped the Cards to their first home victory over Halifax, with goals from Clive Walker and Scott Steele. By the return game in April, a disappointing season resulted in Halifax replacing their manager again, John Carroll was brought in from Runcorn. His first home game was an eventful 2-2 draw, not helping Woking’s fading title hopes. Down to ten men after 13 minutes, Halifax then went 2-0 ahead, Clive Walker and a towering Trevor Baron header brought the Cards level in the
final 15 minutes, as they finished runners-up again. Woking became the third Conference club to remain unbeaten at home for a full season. In 1996/97, the mid-table Cards travelled to Yorkshire with the Shaymen in 21st place, on a dreadful run of five straight defeats and attendances had plummeted to average below 800. With several new signings in their team Halifax were humbled 0-4. Again, Halifax had a player sent off at 0-0 but this time a second followed shortly after half-time. Against nine men, Woking took full advantage with a Guliano Grazioli hat-trick and a Clive Walker penalty. One of Halifax’s debutants in that game was 61st minute substitute Geoff Horsfield, returning after two years, a four-figure signing from Witton Albion. In December, the Cards had just learned that they would be playing Coventry City in the FA Cup 3rd Round, Halifax had just learned that plans were afoot to improve The Shay to Football League standard, and for Halifax Bluesox Rugby League Club to play at The Shay too. High riding Woking were pegged back by the Shaymen, as their new signings were beginning to gel, resulting in another 2-2 draw with Scott Steele scoring a brace. That helped Halifax avoid relegation by a point. Numerous cup games meant that Woking finished 5th, their lowest position in four years.
Prior to the start of 1997/98 Woking were the bookmaker’s favourite to win the title and Halifax were 66-1 outsiders after just avoiding the drop, for once they were very wrong. Both clubs had changed manager, with John McGovern taking charge at Woking and George Mulhall continued the assembly of an impressive squad at Halifax. The Shaymen visited Kingfield in November as league leaders, nine points ahead of the Cards in 5th place. Woking needed to win to keep their championship hopes alive, and goals from Kevin Betsy and Robin Taylor put them in control. The returning Jamie Paterson and Geoff Horsfield pulled Halifax level to frustrate the Cards. By the return fixture in April Halifax’s consistency had made a mockery of the division, they were ten points clear with seven games to play. Their home form had seen them win fifteen, draw three and remain undefeated, this continued to the end of the season, including a 1-0 win over Woking. A full 2,000 more fan watched this game compared to a year earlier. The ground improvements were completed in time and Halifax returned to the Football League after
five seasons away. Halifax became the fourth Conference club to remain unbeaten at home for a full season.
Four unspectacular seasons in the Football League ended with Halifax finishing bottom in 2001/02, nine points behind Bristol Rovers, becoming the first club to be relegated twice from the Football League. In that same season ‘Woking came within weeks if not days of going bust’. They were saved by Chris Ingram.
In July 2002 Halifax appointed future Premier League manager Chris Wilder as manager for their first season back in the Conference. He came up against ex-colleague Glenn Cockerill, who had recently replaced Geoff Chapple as manager of Woking, Wilder had been Cockerill’s boot boy at Southampton. Wilder steered Halifax to a respectable top-half finish. In the four years that Halifax had been away Woking had gone through two managers, in addition to Geoff Chapple returning and leaving again. The financial crisis in early 2002 meant that they were not the same club as before and were constantly flirting with relegation. However, a 2-1 win in December at Kingfield ended The Shaymen’s nine-match unbeaten run, with goals from Robert Kember and Warren Patmore. A later draw at The Shay, Scott Canham with the vital goal, helped Woking finish one point ahead of Nuneaton, preventing a return to the Isthmian League.
2003/04 saw a virtual reversal in fortunes as the clubs swapped places in the league. Woking went full time under Glenn Cockerill but just missed out on the play-offs. Halifax finished 19th, with both games ending in 2-2 draws.
In Summer 2004 Chris Wilder had a clear-out while Glenn Cockerill retained most of his squad. When they met at Kingfield both clubs were in mid-table and a 2-1 home win meant they were only two points apart. The Cards had trailed at half-time, but another Halifax dismissal turned the game and Woking scored through Evans, and Selley in the last minute. For the final league fixture of the season Woking had a slim chance of stealing a play-off place, but a home win saw Halifax gain revenge. In 2005/06, Woking finished in mid-table, with the addition of two cup runs. Meanwhile, Chris Wilder was taking Halifax into the play-offs with a top four finish, narrowly missing out in extra time to Hereford in the final. The league game at Kingfield resulted in yet another 2-2 draw, while Halifax edged their home game by a single goal.
Unusually, for a fifth season, both clubs had retained
their manager for 2006/07, but it was a disappointing season for both clubs as they slumped to 15th and 16th. Halifax lost several of their notable players of the previous season, due to a tightening budget, but were ‘consistently inconsistent’. They still strolled to a three-goal victory at The Shay in December. At Kingfield, the clubs played out a four-goal draw for the seventh time.
2007/08, saw single goal home wins in both games. Woking had turned to Frank Gray to manage them, but he oversaw no improvement as they finished 17th. More importantly it spelt the end of Halifax Town. Sadly, the club entered administration, had ten points deducted and resigned from the Conference. All of this resulted in the club folding with debts of over two million pounds.
Neil Aspin led a reformed FC Halifax Town back to the Conference for season 2013/14. They surprised many people by storming into the play-off places in September, and managing to stay there, ultimately losing the semi-final to Cambridge United. Woking were having a decent season too under Garry Hill, in his third season in charge. After a goalless draw at Kingfield, Woking inflicted The Shaymen’s only home defeat of the season, an incredible seven goal thriller. Woking came from a goal behind to lead 4-1, including a Jack Marriott hat-trick, before a spirited come back from the Yorkshiremen. Halifax managed another red card too. Woking progressed further in 2014/15 to finish 7th, just three points from a first play-off place. Halifax, who sold Lee Gregory to Millwall for £250,000, replaced him with Scott Boden and raced to the top of the league in September. By the time the teams met at The Shay in November, Halifax were falling away.
Live on BT Sport, Gez Sole dispatched a trademark long-range free kick, unbelievably followed up by an Adam Newton brace, in a 1-3 win. This was followed up on the last day of the season with another goal fest. Halifax led 1-2 in the second half thanks to a Will Hatfield penalty, before he missed a second one that would have finished the game. Scott Rendell then scored an injury time penalty equaliser, but instead of an eighth 2-2 draw between the teams, there was still time for Yemi Odubade to net a 94th minute winner. Unlike the previous season, Halifax started 2015/16 very poorly and Neil Aspin was sacked after six years in charge. New manager, Darren Kelly hosted the match against the Cards during his horrific two-month reign, it was a good time to play The Shaymen as they lost six out of seven games. Woking cruised to a 3-0 win after a terrible run of four straight defeats themselves. In January, Halifax’s third manager, Jim Harvey, was leading an eight-game unbeaten revival when they came to Kingfield and a 1-1 draw contributed to that run. After this 6th placed Woking fell away to a mid-table finish. Halifax balanced league survival with an FA Trophy run, this culminated in a Wembley win, but at the cost of league form and they were relegated by a point.
Halifax bounced back at the first attempt with a play-off win at home, in front of 8,000 fans. They consolidated in 2017/18 and hosted a Woking team, whose form was turning, in November. Woking had one eye on an FA Cup replay and the game was a stalemate. At the time of the return fixture Woking were nose-diving towards relegation but Halifax were still below them in the league. A disciplined 1-3 away win from The Shaymen, under new manager Jamie
Fullarton, started a crescendo of alarm bells at Kingfield but to no avail as the Cards succumbed to relegation on the final day of the season. In 2018/19 Halifax floated safely in mid-table, as Woking bounced back at the first attempt with a home play-off win in front of almost 5,000 fans. This meant that the clubs met again in 2019/20 and both started the season in the running for a play-off spot, a goalless stalemate kept both clubs in touch with the leaders. In March, the Cards visited The Shay and a goal from Jake Hyde helped to keep Woking’s play-off hopes alive. However, a home defeat three days later ended that hope in a curtailed season. It was Halifax who qualified for their third play-offs, losing at Boreham Wood. An impressive achievement considering that Halifax have had eight managers in five years.
The 2020/21 matches were only notable for the fact that Jake Hyde switched sides, making his debut in the goalless draw in Surrey, and scoring the winner at The Shay.
August 2021 saw Woking’s biggest-ever opening day home league attendance. The Club was full of optimism with a full-time squad assembled for the first time in over a decade. However, Pete Wild had put together another competitive Halifax squad, and a combination of clinical finishing and steadfast defending saw them claim the six points from Woking, making the play-offs for the second time in three years. A disappointing play-off defeat against Chesterfield, who only qualified after a point on the last day versus Woking, was Wilde’s last game in charge.
Both clubs had new managers and vastly different squads for the 2022/23 season. Darren Sarll took his side to The Shay in early October, where Chris Millington had stepped up from being Wild’s Assistant. The Shaymen were sent to the bottom of the league with an early goal from leading scorer James Daly. After an own-goal, a Reece GregoCox brace pulled him level with Daly on five goals, completing a convincing away win. By the time Halifax visited Woking on 25th April they were on their way to a mid-table finish, and an FA Trophy Final victory over Gateshead. A determined Halifax side won 1-0 with a Rob Harker 21st minute goal, effectively ending Woking’s hopes of a third-place, play-off semi-final place, finish.
Charlie Cooper, Tom Denton, Jake Hyde, Justin Jackson, Josh Staunton
To find out more, scan our QR code
Woking Football Club is proud to announce the launch of a hidden disability initiative for matchdays at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.
Globally, one in six of us live with a disability. Whilst some disabilities are visible, many have non-visible disabilities that are not immediately apparent to others; the most widely known being Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Without a visual cue, it can be difficult for others to identify, acknowledge, or understand the daily barriers faced by people living with an invisible disability. For some people, this can make it hard to understand and believe that someone with a non-visible disability or condition genuinely needs support.
There will be a stall within the Fan Zone at this Saturday's fixture against Solihull Moors for supporters to access further information about the programme, raise awareness, and ask any questions.
The Cards Trust has kindly provided 100 sunflower lanyards that will be made available free of charge to any supporters or their carers that request one, to help encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding. The lanyards will first be available within the Fan Zone and then from the club shop and reception.
A sunflower suggests happiness, positivity, and strength as well as growth and confidence. The lanyards are universally known and supporters will already be aware of their promotion at airports, railway stations, shopping centres and more.
AUGUST
Sat Aug 05 Kidderminster Harriers
Sat Aug 12 Altrincham
Tue Aug 15 Rochdale
Sat Aug 19 Barnet
Sat Aug 26 Gateshead
Mon Aug 28 Dorking Wanderers
SEPTEMBER
Sat Sept 02 Maidenhead United
Sat Sept 09 Solihull Moors
Sat Sept 16 Hartlepool United
Tue Sept 19 Ebbsfleet United
Sat Sept 23 York City
Tue Sept 26 Wealdstone
Sat Sept 30 AFC Fylde
OCTOBER
Tue Oct 03 FC Halifax Town
Sat Oct 07 Southend United
Sat Oct 14 TBC
Sat Oct 21 Dagenham & Redbridge
Tue Oct 24 Eastleigh
Sat Oct 28 Bromley
NOVEMBER
Sat Nov 11 Oxford City
Sat Nov 18 Oldham Athletic
Tue Nov 21 Chesterfield
Sat Nov 25 Boreham Wood
DECEMBER
Sat Dec 02 Gateshead (FAT R3)
Sat Dec 09 TBC
Sat Dec 16 Dorking Wanderers
Sat Dec 23 Maidenhead United
Tue Dec 26 Aldershot Town
JANUARY
Mon Jan 01 Aldershot Town
Sat Jan 06 Solihull Moors
Sat Jan 20 Oxford City
Tue Jan 23 Chesterfield
Sat Jan 27 Oldham Athletic
FEBRUARY
Sat Feb 03 Boreham Wood
Sat Feb 10 Hartlepool United
Sat Feb 17 FC Halifax Town
Tue Feb 20 Ebbsfleet United
Sat Feb 24 Wealdstone
MARCH
Sat Mar 02 Kidderminster Harriers
Sat Mar 09 Altrincham
Tue Mar 12 Rochdale
Sat Mar 16 Barnet
Sat Mar 23 Southend United
Fri Mar 29 Eastleigh
APRIL
Mon Apr 01 Bromley
Sat Apr 06 Dagenham & Redbridge
Sat Apr 13 York City
Sat Apr 20 AFC Fylde
TUNJI AKINOLA
PADRAIG AMOND
JERMAINE ANDERSON
ALEXIS ANDRE JR.
NANA BOATENG
ZAK
RHYS
JOSH
SCOTT
THOMAS
REECE
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.
Supporters can join The Cards Trust for just £10 per year. Information about joining is on the Trust website.
An initiative to help the Club’s playing budget with regular contributions. More than £200,000 has gone to the Club throughout the scheme.
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.
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.
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.
A scheme with a range of activities for under 16s including stadium tours and competitions.
The Fans’ Player of the Month and Player of the Season polls are conducted by the Trust.
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.
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 are running coaches to all matches up until the end of 2023.
Remember, members and Junior Cards save money on bookings with their membership!
For more information
CLICK HERE
All travel with the Cards Trust is subject to the Cards Trust Travel Policy which is informed by legal and other restrictions. e.g. no alcohol is allowed on coaches. The policy can be viewed online on the website.
Any queries should be sent to adam.bowyer@cardstrust.co.uk
Today’s Goldrush will be a hybrid of online and ‘at the ground’ sales.
For the game against Ebbsfleet, the prize was £300.50 the winning ticket number 01311 and the winner John Scriver from Guildford.
400 CLUB AUGUST WINNERS
£100 Number 77 - Eddie Buckler
£75 Number 190 - Bill Sutton
£50 Number 76 - Derek Stevenson
To get involved contact john.hooker@cardstrust.co.uk.
Happy birthday from Woking Football Club, to…
Noah Hawkesworth
October 3rd - 6 years old
Elliot Hawkesworth
October 4th - 10 years old
Oscar Simpson
October 8th - 8 years old
Bon-Scott Clyde
October 10th - 13 years old
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
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.
MANAGER: DARREN
MANAGER:
REFEREE WAYNE CARTMEL
ASSISTANT REFEREE 1 ALEX BRADLEY
ASSISTANT REFEREE 2 CONALL BARTLETT
Click here an hour before kick-off for the starting XI
