Woking FC v Boreham Wood FC

W K ING 2023/24 #17

Charley Kendall

V. BOREHAM WooD SATURDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2024 KICK OFF: 15:00

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MANAGER

MIcHAEL doYle

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CEO NOTES

JOHN kATZ G

reetings and, after more than a month, welcome back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium for this afternoon’s matchup between your Cards and our visitors from Boreham Wood.

The Michael Doyle era has moved into its second month and has gained steam along the way. The improved performances of late led to a massive result last weekend as the Cards travelled to Oldham and took all three points in a 0-1 victory over the Lactics in front of 6,000+ at Boundary Park. Thanks to the 160 travelling supporters who made the long journey north. Despite having our first goal somehow having been adjudged to be offside, it was a dominant display from the lads.

Saturday’s victory came on the heels of another excellent performance away to Chesterfield that saw innocuous contact from Timi Odusina lead to a free kick and booking which ultimately led to the early winner for Chesterfield.

“The Michael Doyle era has moved into its second month and has gained steam along the way. The improved performances of late led to a massive result last weekend as the Cards travelled to Oldham and took all three points in a 0-1 victory over the Lactics in front of 6,000+ at Boundary Park.”

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“Saturday’s victory came on the heels of another excellent performance away to Chesterfield that saw innocuous contact from Timi Odusina lead to a free kick and booking which ultimately led to the early winner for Chesterfield.”

The gaffer has had a busy period of recruitment and squad rebuilding, seeing through the following shifts in the First Team (in no particular order): Outgoing: Matt Robinson (loan extended), Alfie Pavey (loaned to Braintree), Greg Taylor (loaned to King’s Lynn Town), Zak Bradshaw (recalled by Ipswich Town), Padraig Amond (moved on to Waterford).

Incoming: Josh Smith (permanent, from Sheffield United), Timi Odusina (extended loan), Curtis Edwards (Free Agent), Dion Kelly-Evans (Free Agent), Lewis Walker (permanent, from Gillingham), Charley Kendall (permanent,

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from Lincoln City), Max Dyche (loan, from Northampton Town) and Jayden Luker (loan, from Luton Town).

I’d like to offer our special thanks to the Cards Trust which is funding Jayden Luker’s loan for the rest of the season with proceeds from the 400 Club and Boost the Budget.

Real progress has been made by Michael and his staff both on and off the pitch. Long may it continue.

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

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.”

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AHeaD OF THE GAME

Woking vs. Boreham Wood Vanarama National League Saturday 3rd February 2024 15:00 Kick-Off

Woking will look to back up last Saturday’s victory at Oldham Athletic with a much needed home win against Boreham Wood.

Michael Doyle registered his first win as boss at Boundary Park, with four of his five signings since joining making the starting lineup, including Max Dyche, who was announced just before the game and put in a top performance.

However, with injuries to Jim Kellermann and Rhys Browne, Doyle will hope that the likes of Ricky Korboa and Jermaine Anderson will be in contention to start against the Wood.

OPPOSITION WATCH Since the last time the sides met, Luke Garrard’s Boreham Wood appeared to make inroads towards climbing up the table. However, a crushing defeat at home to Dorking Wanderers, coupled with a red card for familiar foe Tyrone Marsh, who will miss Saturday’s fixture, has dragged them back into the relegation fight.

Key players for the Wood include Matt Robinson, on loan from the Cards and unable to play on Saturday, as well as former Woking loanee Billy Sass-Davies, who extended his spell on loan from

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Crewe Alexandra until the end of the season this week.

Across the last six games, Boreham Wood have won one and lost one, with four draws, including a thrilling 4-4 draw at home to Eastleigh. They currently sit 16th with 34 points from 30 games, just four points above the Cards, who also have a game in hand.

LAST TIME OUT Despite a penalty from Reece Grego-Cox and a superb goal from Rhys Browne, Woking were defeated 4-2 at Meadow Park back in November thanks to two goals from Tyrone Marsh and a goal apiece from Angelo Balanta and Tom Whelan.

Last season, there was a 1-0 win for the Cards at Meadow Park in November 2022 thanks to Grego-Cox, whilst in February 2023, two goals from Josh Rees were cancelled out by two from Rhys Browne in a 2-2 draw.

Around the Ground Ticket pricing and other details are available here.

TICKET INFORMATION Adults: £20 Concession: £15 Next-Gen (17-22): £12 Under 17 (14-16): £8 Under 14 (13 & under): £5

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Supporters are reminded to arrive at the Laithwaite Community Stadium in good time,

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SocIAL

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Off the bench and on the scoresheet.

Big impact from JA23.

Here Comes The Weekend is returning to the Laithwaite on Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th May

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Nana Boateng and Zak Bradshaw have now returned to their parent clubs following their loan spells.

Two big Tuesday night matches.

Back Doyler's Cardinals at both for the price of one.

We will now face Gateshead on Tuesday 27th February, 19:45 kick-off.

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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.

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WELcoME CLICK HERE for the complete squad list

www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk

TWO BECOME ONE Boreham Wood Football Club was formed in 1948 following the amalgamation of Boreham Rovers and Royal Retournez. The club initially played at Eldon Avenue until moving to Meadow Park in 1963. They progressed through the Mid-Herts, Parthenon, Spar=tan, and Athenian Leagues, eventually being elected to the Isthmian League in 1974/75.

In 1976/77 the club won the Isthmian League Division Two Championship, followed by a long spell in the Premier Division, which ended in relegation at the end of 1999/2000. However, the club bounced back immediately and gained promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division as Division One Champions in 2000/01.

Following the restructuring of non-league football in 2004, Boreham Wood competed in the Southern

League, playing in Division One East for two seasons. In 2005/06, the club was promoted and returned to the Isthmian League Premier Division.

In addition, the team reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy, currently the lowest ranked team to have made the last four, and the furthest they have progressed.

PROGRESSION THROUGH THE LEAGUES The 2009/10 season saw Wood finish 4th. Success in the play-offs took them into the Conference South. In 2012/13 they reached the First-Round proper of the FA Cup, which they repeated in 2013/14.

In 2014, the ground was improved with a new 870-seater West Stand at a cost of around three quarters of a million pounds.

After leading the Conference South for most

L AST 5 SEASONS 6th - 22/23

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9th - 21/22

14th- 20/21

5th - 19/20

20th - 18/19

of 2014/15, despite having the lowest average attendance in the league, a controversial defeat cost Wood the title. But success in the play-offs meant that, after 67 years, the club reached the National League.

In 2015/16 Wood struggled to compete with the bigger clubs and faced relegation. But they achieved three wins in the last three games and survived. The following season, 2016/17, saw the club improve to 11th.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS During the 2017/18 season Boreham Wood beat a Football League club, Blackpool, in the FA Cup and reached 4th place in the National League, their highest finish to date. That meant being in the play-offs, leading to an appearance at Wembley Stadium! Despite losing the final to Tranmere Rovers, this was a great achievement for the club.

In 2017 further investment of £1.8 million was secured for building a new training facility, laying a new DESSO pitch of Premier League quality, and installing new floodlights and dugouts.

The facilities are 90% used on a daily basis, 52 weeks of the year. The club houses the largest sports education programme in the country, which has now been established for over a decade. It is a programme that boasts over 600 students each year.

MORE CUP SUCCESS In the 2021–22 FA Cup, the club reached the fifth round for the first time after beating League One AFC Wimbledon in the third round and Championship AFC Bournemouth in the fourth.

They lost 2–0 to Premier League Everton in the fifth round.

The team plays in all white, is nicknamed "the Wood" and has a local rivalry with St Albans City. Their record appearance maker is David Hatchett, with 714.

Now an established National League side, since their highest finish of 4th in 17/18, Wood have finished 20th, 5th, 14th, 9th and, last season, 6th.

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MANAGER Luke Garrard Age: 38 Garrard started as a schoolboy at Tottenham Hotspur and went on to sign as an apprentice for Swindon Town, making his professional debut in 2003. He made 17 appearances for Swindon, before being released in 2005. He went on to have spells with Bishop's Stortford, Boreham Wood and Northwood, before joining AFC Wimbledon in 2006.

A popular figure with Wimbledon's fans, he made over 100 appearances for the club, but in November 2008 picked up an injury that kept him out for the rest of that season. After that, he made only occasional appearances and in January 2010 he re-joined Boreham Wood, making over 150 appearances in his five seasons as a player.

On 14 October 2015, Garrard was appointed manager, following the resignation of Ian Allinson, making him the youngest boss in all of England's top five divisions. In his third season in charge he led the Wood to the National League play-offs, losing in the final to Tranmere Rovers. The 22/23 season's famous FA Cup run eventually saw a fifth round 0-2 defeat at Everton. Last season saw a 6th place finish, but a painful defeat to Notts County in extra-time in the play-off semi-final - after Notts had equalised in the 90+7 minute of normal time, they scored their winner on 120 minutes.

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ONE TO WATCH Billy Sass-Davies Age: 23 Position: Centre-back Number: 22 Billy’s seven games on loan for Woking last season are among nearly 100 games on loan from Crewe Alexandra for a number of clubs for the Wales U21 international.

Having already played 24 games for the Wood this season they recently announced the extension of his current loan until the end of the ‘23/24 season.

Billy arrived at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park in late August and joined the squad immediately, making his debut against Barnet on September 2nd. He had his full debut against York City in a 2-2 draw on September 9th.

Since then, Billy has been a key player in Luke Garrard’s backline, making a total of 23 league appearances and even contributing offensively by scoring three goals from the centreback position. All three goals were headers, showcasing the young defender’s impressive aerial presence.

Upon securing Billy’s signature until the end of the season, Wood Manager Luke Garrard said, “I’m really happy to extend Billy’s contract. He has been developing since he joined us and has shown a level of consistency in his performances.

At only 23, he demonstrates a level of maturity in his play and has really started to understand what’s required within our team.”

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE BEGINNINGS In 1974 ‘The Wood’ joined the new Isthmian League Division Two from the Athenian League, two years later they won the title, joining the Cards in the league’s top-flight. The clubs therefore first met in season 1977/78. In the initial encounter Woking went to Broughinge Road in the Hitachi (League) Cup second round and an evenly contested but ‘very physical to say the least’ game went to extra time before Boreham Wood won through.

Revenge was quickly gained, as three weeks later Woking retraced their journey for the league game, winning thanks to an Alan Morton goal in the first minute. Boreham Wood’s first visit to Kingfield was for the penultimate game of the season, both clubs were safe in mid-table and ‘heavy rain turned the game into a lottery’. Two second half goals meant that Wood finished above Woking for the first time.

Fred Callaghan’s improving Cards completed a league double over Boreham Wood the following season. Wood visited Surrey in mid-November as Woking were in the middle of an intensive FA Trophy run to the 1st round! A single goal settled the game. In the away game, in late March, there was little to play for, but Alan Morton scored all four of Woking’s goals in an entertaining match.

BAD TIMES AHEAD In 1979/80 two close encounters both ended 2-3 to the away team, Wood ending Woking’s unbeaten home record in the ninth game, in October. The away game was Wood’s penultimate game of the season, while Woking still had five to play due to cup runs. Wood had a Herts Senior Cup Final two days later and fielded virtually a reserve side, meanwhile Woking had lost their manager and were playing catch up. In between the league matches the clubs were drawn together in the Hitachi Cup 5th round in February, at Broughinge Road. Unlike the league meetings the cup game was a one-sided affair, with Eggie James scoring four goals this time, as the Cards hit six, reaching one of three semi-finals that season.

Season 1980/81 was not a good one for either club. Woking were in financial trouble and had lost their manager to Brentford, and subsequently

finished bottom. Boreham Wood completed a league double over Woking and those six points for Wood meant that they finished five points, and one place, ahead of Woking, who had three points deducted due to playing Mick Earls when he was not registered. Both clubs would have been relegated but for an Isthmian League Council meeting in June 1980, where it was decided that there would be no relegation as Enfield and Dagenham went into the new Alliance Premier League.

RELEGATION HEARTACHE The following season saw big initial improvements for both clubs in a Jekyll and Hyde season. The third game of the season saw the clubs draw at Kingfield, as both clubs flirted with the top five.

By the return game in March, Boreham Wood were bottom by six points and Woking were plummeting, Wood won 1-0. Luckily at the end of the season Woking had collected enough points

by December to survive by five points, nine points ahead of Wood, who finished bottom.

Woking’s relegation was only deferred by a year as they only picked up 24 points the following season, however the clubs did meet in the London Senior Cup semi-final. Woking were drawn at home and won with a goal in each half to reach the final for the only time.

Woking’s first ever relegation from the Isthmian League’s top division was followed in 1983/84 by a year of consolidation, while Boreham Wood, already consolidated, were pushing for promotion in their second season in the division. At Kingfield, Wood fielded most of the side from the previous season’s cup tie, while Woking had only retained Terry Worsfold. Both league results ended in emphatic wins for Boreham Wood, as they just missed out on promotion by five points.

FROM BAD TO WORSE 1984/85 saw both club’s fortunes decline again.

Wood were lucky enough to play Woking just five days after Bill Dodgin resigned as manager, but this sixth league game followed the other five in that Woking were heavily beaten. The return game at Kingfield in February saw both teams in the relegation zone. Wood cruised into a 0-2

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half time lead, before Maurice Cox and John Richardson braces saw the Cards climb above their opponents. On the final day of the season Boreham Wood were one point ahead of Woking but were safe. Woking however, in losing their final game, were relegated on goal difference with 51 points.

Three years later, Woking returned as a different beast, they had been turned around by Geoff Chapple and were gunning for promotion.

Boreham Wood too had improved and after treading water for two seasons put in a promotion challenge. The meeting at Broughinge Road was the second of the season and Woking ran out 5-2 winners. By the return game in April, Grays and Marlow had sewn up the promotion places but third placed Woking completed the double over fourth placed Boreham Wood.

In 1988/89, Woking again made a strong promotion bid, ‘doubling’ Wood again along the way. The home game in early October followed

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six consecutive cup matches as progress was achieved in three competitions. In the away game in March, Woking again came back from a two-goal deficit to win. Unfortunately, the Cards were ‘pipped’ to promotion on the last day of the season.

PROMOTION AT LAST At the third time of asking, 1989/90 saw Woking gain promotion. The season started well for the Cards, and they went to Hertfordshire in November unbeaten. Paul Mulvaney and Tim Buzaglo braces saw off a mid-table Boreham Wood. By the return game in March Woking were playing a game every three days and were running out of steam. The Cards took a second half lead before two late goals saw Wood take the three points. However, Woking did gain promotion with three games to spare, Boreham Wood finished the season seventh.

The clubs did not meet again for fifteen years,

when they met in the unlikely scenario of an FA Trophy semi-final. Boreham Wood were in the process of winning the Southern League Division One East and hosted Woking “in what must be the biggest game in our history.” Full-time Woking were mid-table in the Conference and a professional display saw Woking edge ahead in the first leg through Tom Hutchinson.

Wood threw everything at the Cards in the second leg and threatened to produce an upset as Woking sat back, but a goal in each half saw Woking through to The Boleyn Ground, where they were humbled by Grays Athletic.

CONFERENCE SOUTH DAYS Boreham Wood gained promotion from the Isthmian League Premier Division to the Conference South in season 2009/10, beating Kingstonian in the play-off final. Woking had been relegated from the Conference the season before, so the league rivalry resumed in 2010/11 after a long twenty-one years. Broughinge Road / Meadow Park saw a dour 0-0 draw was played out - a result that became all too familiar subsequently. In January, play-off chasing Woking easily defeated bottom of the table Boreham Wood, however the Wood recovered well to finish the season in mid-table. Those were the last league goals to be seen in the fixture at Kingfield for five matches.

A more competitive Boreham Wood, including Inih Effiong, were edged out again in the following 2011/12 season as championship winning Woking, orchestrated by Kieran Murtagh, gained another four points from the Wood.

INTO THE CONFERENCE PREMIER Woking’s promotion ended the league duel again for another four years, until Boreham Wood, aided by the income from Arsenal Women and from a 3G pitch, gained promotion via the play-offs to the Conference Premier Division for the first time in 2014/15. The clubs did meet in the FA Cup that season, with Woking again proceeding through to the next round. Gez Sole scored both of Woking’s goals, becoming only the tenth goalscoring centurion in the Club’s history in the process.

The experienced Ricky Shakes had equalised for

Boreham Wood.

In the three subsequent seasons, no goals were seen at Kingfield, while Wood steadily got the better of Woking in three closely contested Meadow Park games. The only Cards victory was a first round FA Trophy victory. As Boreham Wood progressed both on and off the pitch the Cards were stalling. After consolidating in 2015/16 in 19th place, the Summer of 2016 saw Boreham Wood poach Mark Ricketts and Bruno Andrade, they then pretty much swapped league places with Woking compared to the previous season, finishing a season above Woking for the first time since 1987. Kieran Murtagh followed the other two to Meadow Park in 2017 as Woking were relegated and Wood made the play-offs by finishing 4th and reaching the Wembley final, losing to 10-man Tranmere.

A YEAR APART In 2018/19 Boreham Wood struggled and finished just above the relegation places after several of their players were snapped up by other clubs. In the division below, Woking were promoted via the play-offs, at the first attempt.

After a year’s break the club’s met at Kingfield at the end of September 2019. For the first time since Dave Gilroy netted an 80th minute tap-in in January 2011, and for the first time at the top level of the non-league game, a goal was seen.

Kane Ferdinand headed Woking in front, but the prolific Kabongo Tshimanga scored two to put Wood in front. Ex-Card Mark Ricketts was then sent off, but the Herts team held out to remain undefeated against Woking at this level.

Two months later Boreham Wood completed a league ‘double’ over Woking as they began to climb the table, again once they went ahead Woking could not break down an organised team. Wood went on to make the play-offs for a second time, but this time were second best at Harrogate Town.

WOKING HAVE THE UPPER HAND In October 2020, Boreham Wood maintained their unbeaten record against the Cards at this level, extending it to nine matches with another single goal victory. A forgettable season for both

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clubs was typified by a fourth goalless draw in five Surrey matches against these opponents.

The summer of 2021 saw the Cards move to fulltime football again, with new American backing.

Wood were having another impressive season, and the second placed side comfortably held onto an early two-goal lead at Kingfield. This was despite going down to ten-men and conceding a penalty. Uncharacteristically, Max Kretzschmar hit the bar.

Amends were made in the return game. After an historic FA Cup run to the 5th Round, where they lost at Everton, Boreham Wood suffered a massive league hangover, dropping from strong title challengers to missing out on the play-offs.

The game at Meadow Park was Darren Sarll’s first in the dugout as Woking Manager, after another poor season prompted a change. A Kretzschmar penalty settled the game, as Wood failed to score for a fourth consecutive match, and the Cards claimed all three points from Wood for the first time at this level.

Sarll’s only full season in charge saw an increasingly professional and impressive Cards’ side achieve a second consecutive one goal victory in Hertfordshire. It was also Woking’s fourth consecutive league victory, all with clean sheets, leaving them in 4th place. The goal from Reece Grego-Cox left Boreham Wood eight points behind Woking. The return game saw Woking come from 0-2 down, with two Rhys Browne goals earning a valuable point as both teams contested for play-off positions.

Our meeting earlier this season was one of a number of low points for the Cards. After briefly raising our hopes by taking a 0-2 lead, with Rhys Browne’s goal ‘one to look out for on Match of the Day’, the Cards collapsed to a 4-2 defeat, and increasing disquiet amongst the travelling support.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS 1977/78

Boreham Wood 2 Woking 1 Woking 0 Boreham Wood 2 Boreham Wood 0 Woking 1

1978/79

Woking 1 Boreham Wood 0 Boreham Wood 2 Woking 4

1979/80

Woking 2 Boreham Wood 3 Boreham Wood 2 Woking 3 Boreham Wood 1 Woking 6

1980/81

Woking 1 Boreham Wood 2 Boreham Wood 2 Woking 1

1981/82

Woking 1 Boreham Wood 1 Boreham Wood 1 Woking 0

1982/83

Woking 2 Boreham Wood 0

1983/84

Woking 0 Boreham Wood 3 Boreham Wood 5 Woking 0

1984/85

Woking 4 Boreham Wood 2 Boreham Wood 4 Woking 1

1987/88

Woking 2 Boreham Wood 0 Boreham Wood 2 Woking 5

1988/89

Woking 4 Boreham Wood 1 Boreham Wood 2 Woking 3

1989/90

Woking 1 Boreham Wood 2 Boreham Wood 0 Woking 4

2005/06

Woking 2 Boreham Wood 0 Boreham Wood 0 Woking 1

2010/11

Woking 3 Boreham Wood 0 Boreham Wood 0 Woking 0

2011/12

Woking 0 Boreham Wood 0 Boreham Wood 1 Woking 2

2014/15

Woking 2 Boreham Wood 1

2015/16

Boreham Wood 1 Woking 2 Woking 0 Boreham Wood 0 Boreham Wood 1 Woking 1

2016/17

Woking 0 Boreham Wood 0 Boreham Wood 2 Woking 1

2017/18

Woking 0 Boreham Wood 0 Boreham Wood 2 Woking 1

2019/20

Woking 1 Boreham Wood 2 Boreham Wood 1 Woking 0

PLAYERS WHO PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS Bruno Andrade, Chris Bush, Mike Cestor, Tom Champion, Inih Effiong, Rob Hollingdale, Dan Holman, Dennon Lewis, Kieran Murtagh, Nicky Nicolau, Ollie Palmer, Mark Ricketts, Delano SamYorke, Gozie Ugwu, Luke Wilkinson, Dion Kelly-

2020/21

Boreham Wood 1 Woking 0 2021/22

wokingfc.co.uk

Woking 0 Boreham Wood 2 Boreham Wood 0 Woking 1

2022/23

Woking 2 Boreham Wood 2 Boreham Wood 0 Woking 1

2023/24

28

Woking 0 Boreham Wood 0

Boreham Wood 4 Woking 2

WOKING FC

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35

DATE

OPPONENT

AUGUST Sat Aug 05 Sat Aug 12 Tue Aug 15 Sat Aug 19 Sat Aug 26 Mon Aug 28

Kidderminster Harriers Altrincham Rochdale Barnet Gateshead Dorking Wanderers

0-0 2-3 3-2 2-0 1-3 2-0

SEPTEMBER Sat Sept 02 Sat Sept 09 Sat Sept 16 Tue Sept 19 Sat Sept 23 Tue Sept 26 Sat Sept 30

Maidenhead United Solihull Moors Hartlepool United Ebbsfleet United York City Wealdstone AFC Fylde

0-0 1-1 0-2 1-1 1-2 0-1 2-0

OCTOBER Tue Oct 03 Sat Oct 07 Sat Oct 14 Tue Oct 17 Sat Oct 21 Tue Oct 24 Sat Oct 28

FC Halifax Town Southend United Hemel Hempstead (FAC) Hemel Hempstead (FAC) Dagenham & Redbridge Eastleigh 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 Sat Dec 09 Sat Dec 16 Sat Dec 23 Tue Dec 26

Gateshead Weston-super-Mare (FAT R3) Dorking Wanderers Maidenhead United Aldershot Town

JANUARY Mon Jan 01 Aldershot Town Sat Jan 06 Solihull Moors Tue Jan 16 Gateshead Tue Jan 23 Chesterfield Sat Jan 27 Oldham Athletic FEBRUARY Sat Feb 03 Tue Feb 06 Sat Feb 10 Sat Feb 17 Tue Feb 20 Sat Feb 24 MARCH Sat Mar 02 Sat Mar 09 Tue Mar 12 Sat Mar 16 Sat Mar 23 Fri Mar 29

Boreham Wood Oxford City Hartlepool United FC Halifax Town Ebbsfleet United Wealdstone

Kidderminster Harriers Altrincham Rochdale Barnet Southend United Eastleigh

APRIL Mon Apr 01 Bromley Sat Apr 06 Dagenham & Redbridge Sat Apr 13 York City Sat Apr 20 AFC Fylde

RESULT

FIXTURES & RESULTS 2023/24

1-2 2-0 0-0 2-0 2-1 0-1 0-1

2-1 3-2 0-1 0-2 4-2

APPEARANCES

PL

GLS

A

TUNJI AKINOLA

24(6)

2(0)

2

JERMAINE ANDERSON

4(4)

1(0)

0

ALEXIS ANDRE JR.

9(0)

0(0)

0

RHYS BROWNE

16(3)

4(0)

1

JOSH CASEY

27(0)

0(0)

1

SCOTT CUTHBERT

28(0)

2(0)

1

MAX DYCHE

1(0)

0(0)

0

REECE GREGO-COX

7(9)

7(2)

1

SAM HABERGHAM

5(4)

0(0)

0

ROHAN INCE

15(4)

0(0)

1

WILL JAASKELAINEN

22(0)

0(0)

1

JIM KELLERMANN

21(0)

2(1)

1

DION KELLY-EVANS

2(0)

0(0)

1

CHARLEY KENDALL

1(1)

0(0)

0

RICKY KORBOA

6(3)

4(0)

2

DENNON LEWIS

19(4)

3(0)

2

JAYDEN LUKER

1(1)

0(0)

0

DAN MOSS

31(0)

0(0)

0

TIMI ODUSINA

9(2)

0(0)

0

PAUL OSEW

4(0)

0(0)

0

MANNY OYELEKE

6(0)

1(0)

1

CHARLIE WAKEFIELD

3(6)

0(0)

0

LEWIS WALKER

6(0)

1(0)

0

LUKE WILKINSON

12(3)

0(0)

0

P-P 3-2 1-2 0-0 0-0

2-3 3-0 P-P 1-0 0-1

LEAGUE TABLE TEAM

P

W

D

L

Pts

1

Chesterfield

29

24

2

3

74

2

Bromley

31

16

10

5

58

3

Barnet

30

17

4

9

55

4

Altrincham

28

12

10

6

46

5

Solihull Moors

28

13

7

8

46

6

Oldham Athletic

29

12

9

8

45

7

Aldershot Town

29

13

5

11

44

8

Gateshead

28

12

7

9

43

9

Rochdale

29

11

8

10

41

10

FC Halifax Town

29

10

11

8

41

11

Eastleigh

29

10

8

11

38

12

Hartlepool United

31

11

4

16

37

13

Wealdstone

26

10

6

10

36

14

Maidenhead United

29

8

11

10

35

15

Southend United

28

13

5

10

34

16

Boreham Wood

30

7

13

10

34

17

Dorking Wanderers

29

10

4

15

34

18

Dagenham & Redbridge

29

9

6

14

33

19

York City

29

7

12

10

33

20

Woking

29

8

6

15

30

21

Ebbsfleet United

31

8

6

17

30

22

AFC Fylde

29

7

8

14

29

23

Kidderminster Harriers

31

7

8

16

29

24

Oxford City

30

7

6

17

27

wokingfc.co.uk

37

38

wokingfc.co.uk

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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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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-

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.

UPCOMING AWAY COACH TRAVEL

THE CARDS TRUST

THIS WEEK'S UPDATES The Cards Trust are running coaches to all matches in 2024.

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

SUPPORTERS COACHES EBBSFLEET - TUESDAY 20TH FEBRUARY The coach leaves Woking FC at 17:00 and costs: Trust Members - Adult £18, U16's & Junior Cards £13 Non Members - Adult £23, U16's £18 Outward Only - £12.50 Return Only - £12.50 ROCHDALE - TUESDAY 12TH MARCH The coach leaves Woking FC at 14:00 and costs: Trust Members - Adult £42, U16's & Junior Cards £38 Non Members - Adult £47, U16's £42 Outward Only - £25 Return Only - £25 Please note there is not a Supporters coach for Halifax and Altrincham BOOST THE BUDGET Congratulations to the two Boost the Budget donors who have won places in the Geoff Chapple Lounge for today's match.

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 November draw on Monday 27th. The winners were: £100 £75 £50

Number 104 Number 34 Number 114

Stephen Carter Don Irwin Roger Sherlock

The big £500 Christmas Draw will take place soon - it's not too late to take part. Contact john. hooker@cardstrust.co.uk to take part or get additional numbers.

QUIZ NIGHT We had a very successful Quiz Night that raised over £650 and was enjoyed by all that took part.

Thanks to John, Mark and all those that helped to make it successful.

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

JUNIOR CARDS BIRTHDAYS Mason Carmen - 25th January - 14 years old Oscar Middleweek - 30th January - 8 years old

wokingfc.co.uk

41

CARRYING YOUR TEAM TO SUCCESS

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Matchday Mascots

Jack Barnes (12) Plays for AFC Brooklands where he prefers to play on the left wing.

Loves to watch Woking or play football in the garden or playing FIFA with friends.

Thomas Samson (6) Plays for Bromham Utd and loves all things football. This is his first Woking FC game and can’t wait to meet the players and show his brother and sister his new Woking shirt.

AJ Sangari (13) Plays for Byfleet Village FC. He supports Woking FC and Man Utd and his favourite players are Jude Bellingham and Rafael Leao.

Charlie Hurst (2) He loves football and has been kicking a ball before he could properly walk. Enjoys playing with his brother, Henry.

Tommy Brazil (8) Plays for meadow sports as a striker and has scored 21 GOALS in 10 games currently to date. He is a keen supporter of Woking and his favourite player is Josh Casey

wokingfc.co.uk

43

SURREY

~

SUSSEX

~

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WOMEN'S REPORT

GOALS GAloRE FOR caRDS W

oking came out monumental winners in their first home league game of the calendar year, smashing Rushmoor by 11 goals to one. A first-half hat-trick from Helen Ogle, added by a second-half hat-trick from Gaby Hobday, was just a small talking point from an otherwise dominant display at the college.

The Cards have been well known for starting quickly in games this season and this was once again the case as just five minutes in, Bianca Underhill found Kaitlin Howard with a brilliant corner and the skipper headed home to score on her first appearance since coming back from a week’s absence.

Five minutes later, it was two, as Charlotte Keenan cut in from the right-hand side and curled a beautiful shot into the top left-hand corner. The number nine, who was moved out to the right for this game, proved how good of a decision it was by the management. Poetry in motion.

Gaby showed promising ability during the first half and wasn’t going to continuously be denied for the duration of the game, due to the way she was playing. Her first chance came when she bent a shot from the right, but it missed the target by just a fraction. Her second opportunity came when the number 11 did well to intercept the defence, before just putting a shot past the post.

However, it was three just 20 minutes in as Déjà vu struck. An almost identical goal to the first came when Bianca’s corner landed on the head of Kaitlin, who this time had to deal with a goal-line scramble, before tucking the ball home. An early brace for the captain.

Another goal followed shortly after as this time Helen got her name on the scoresheet as she slotted the ball past the ‘keeper in custom Ogle style. The ball found the bottom right-hand corner, just like it has done on so many different occasions this season.

If you thought four goals in 25 minutes was a lot, try five in 27 minutes, as Helen grabbed her second in just a matter of minutes. This time the number seven picked the ball up outside the box and fired home into the roof of the net. A goal Sheena Nichol would have been proud of.

After all of Gaby’s hard work in the early stages of the game, the rewards paid off as she got her first goal through brilliant team play. On the rare occasion Rushmoor made it into Woking’s half, the possession was turned over by Fran Cotter who continued her run into the box after playing a ball out wide to Kaitlin. The cross was eventually played in and an intelligent dummy from Fran allowed the ball to land at the feet of Gaby who then converted her chance to make it six.

wokingfc.co.uk

45

There was still time for another before half-time and this time Helen grabbed the first hat-trick of the season after a superb ball over the top of the defence from Sheena, found her with time and space to finish and make it seven. That now takes her tally to 14 goals in 14 games across all competitions.

HT: Woking 7-0 Rushmoor Community In the second half, it was business as usual as the pressure continued to be applied, without an ounce of rest. The only small disappointment from a pretty perfect display was conceding just before the hour mark. The league’s top goal scorer managed to carve out a chance and smashed the ball past Amy Jenkins in goal. Apart from that, the goalkeeper wasn’t brought into action for the remainder of the game.

Shouts for offside were ruled out by the referee when Gaby scored her second a few minutes later.

All of her goals (that still count) so far this season have come against Rushmoor, both at home and on the road.

She became the second person to not only score a hat-trick this season but also in the game when she scored another right after her second thanks to a perfect ball from Helen. Gaby stretched her leg out to beat the ‘keeper a put her name in the hat for who would take home the match ball.

Woking’s first substitution of the game came when Helen Brown replaced debutant Bryony Gibbs, promoted from the Development Team and rewarded with a start from the off.

The Cards were into double digits for the first time this season when a great pass from Charlotte found the ever-so-ruthless Gaby to score her fourth and final goal of the game. A sensational performance from an extremely talented player.

Her four goals and two assists saw her of course be voted Player of the Match by her fellow peers.

46

wokingfc.co.uk

Louise Curr and Hayley Giles joined the fun later down the line, replacing Sheena and Kaitlin.

Kaitlin returned however five minutes later, swapping with Gaby.

The floodgates were finally closed after Charlotte made it eleven with ten minutes to go. A wellexecuted ball from Kaitlin found the number nine who got her second of the afternoon.

Gaby saw out the last few minutes after replacing Charlotte in what was the last action of a chaotic but dominant game in Surrey.

FT: Woking 11-1 Rushmoor Community The Cards biggest win of the season sees them climb up to fourth in the league table and regain their big goal difference that was lost after the Selsey game was wiped. A statement to the rest of the league is one thing but the confidence in the team right now is enough to take on anyone and there’s no better time than next Sunday when the team travels to league leaders Havant & Waterlooville. It’s set up to be a great game and if it’s anything like the reverse fixture then it will be another feisty encounter!

Woking Starting XI: Jenkins, Gibbs (66), Cotter, Mitchell, Underhill, Nichol (71), Theocharous, Ogle, Howard (71) (75), Hobday (75) (82), Keenan (82) Subs: Giles (71), Curr (71), Brown (66) Attendance: 28 Player of the Match: Gaby Hobday

AcaDEMY T

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.

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.

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.

he 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.

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

The Pre-Academy trains at The Winston Churchill School in Woking, Thursdays, 17:00 - 18:00.

wokingfc.co.uk

47

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

48

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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 UPCOMING FIXTURES Week commencing 29th January 2024

Thursday 25th January Woking U23 2 - 1 Harrow Borough U23

Wednesday 31st January 11:30 – Woking U17 v Charlton Athletic Trust U17, National League Alliance – Division E

Suburban Football League – Premier Division; Knaphill FC, Redding Way

Woking College, Rydens Way

Whilst Welling United have a healthy lead at the top of the table, this looked as if it would be a close game between two sides hoping to move up from their respective fourth and sixth positions.

This was a game that exemplified that only one statistic really counts.

Thursday 1st February 19:30 – Woking U18 v Uxbridge U18, Isthmian Football League – Youth West Division Knaphill FC, Redding Way MATCH REPORTS Week commencing Monday 22nd January Monday 22nd January Badshot Lea Colts U18 P - P Woking U18 Surrey Youth Midweek County Cup, 2nd Round, Badshot Lea FC

As early as the eighth minute some excellent defending by Jacob Farr stopped Leandro Tardim in his tracks as he looked certain to run through and give Harrow Borough the lead.

Lui Edwards and Harry Newbould were linking well for Woking, but it was Jamal Sharpe who came closest to opening the scoring, getting on the end of a defence splitting pass and forcing a very good save from Woking’s Harry White.

Postponed due to waterlogged pitch

wokingfc.co.uk

49

Harrow Borough’s Hayden Brown found himself cautioned on 18 minutes for his cry of ‘yellow’ as he was fouled in midfield, one assumes that he was not requesting one for himself, but the referee obliged him anyway.

Harrow’s failure to finish their chances saw them fall behind on 20 minutes, Ben Mitchell’s cross was not cleared and when Newbould’s shot was parried, Keion Vassell was well placed to apply a neat finish.

and Aldershot for second place in the league table.

Woking: Harry White; Ryan Scott ©, Tom Gardner, Jack Matton, Jacob Farr; Alex Rihoy (Tommy Seale 81), Ollie Mason, Harry Newbould; Ben Mitchell (Charlie Robertson 89), Lui Edwards, Keion Vassell (Lewis Myrtollari 83): Unused subs: Bob Honey (GK), Sam Wright.

Goals: Vassell 20, Myrtollari 88.

Woking were now in the ascendency, and creating more chances than their opponents, with Newbould prominent in his linking the midfield to the attack. But Harrow were still dangerous and on 41 minutes they hit the post through Tardim, with Ollie Mason also called to White’s aid to ensure the half-time lead.

Harrow Borough: Elliott Brocklehurst; Nasir Sharifi, Finlay Eames-Illingworth, Chama Torsiello ©, Lucas Torre (Joshua Woodroffe 83); Astro Fashanu, Ryley Campbell, Jamie Kennedy; Hayden Brown (Muhammed Asam 85), Leandro Tardim, Jamal Sharpe (Ben Amos 85). Unused subs: Danna Pervaneh, Victor Nwokorro.

Half-time: Woking 1 – 0 Harrow Borough

Goal: Fashanu 64.

Harrow started the second-half the brighter and had already forced White into two good saves when they equalised on 64 minutes. Astro Fashanu finishing a good passing move with an unstoppable low drive.

Referee: Ernie Moore

However, Harrow were not able to build on their goal, and with chances few and far between the game looked to be heading for a draw. That was until the 88th minute, when Lewis Myrtollari found himself space to shoot from close range, and with the help of a deflection netted Woking’s late winner.

Woking saw out the rest of the time well, and look well placed to challenge Bromley, St Albans

50

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Man of the Match: Jack Matton Jack was being watched by his manager at Binfield, Ross Weatherstone, where he is on loan, and was his usual tidy self, showing composure in all his defensive tasks, and nearly scoring with a header from a corner which was cleared off the line. We were pleased to see that another Binfield win at the weekend put Jack 2 wins from 2 for the Moles.

Other loan news: Congratulations too to Ben Mitchell who scored on his debut for Guildford City as they drew at Knaphill.

WOKING FC

BOREHAM WOOD FC

MANAGER: MICHAEL DOYLE

MANAGER: LUKE GARRARD

ALEXIS ANDRÉ JR.

1

1

NATHAN ASHMORE

DAN MOSS

2

2

CAMERON COXE

JOSH CASEY (C)

3

3

FEMI ILESANMI

SCOTT CUTHBERT

4

4

JACK PAYNE (C)

LUKE WILKINSON

6

5

CHRIS BUSH

RICKY KORBOA

7

6

DAVID STEPHENS

REECE GREGO-COX

9

7

TOM WHELAN

LEWIS WALKER

10

8

MO SAGAF

DENNON LEWIS

11

9

LEE NDLOVU

RHYS BROWNE

14

10

TYRONE MARSH

TUNJI AKINOLA

16

11

TIMMY ABRAHAM

JIM KELLERMANN

17

12

JAMAL FYFIELD

MANNY OYELEKE

18

13

KOJU ABAYOMI

CHARLIE WAKEFIELD

19

14

ÁNGELO BALANTA

TIMI ODUSINA

21

15

DAVID AGBONTOHOMA

WILL JÄÄSKELÄINEN

22

16

CHARLIE OWENS

JERMAINE ANDERSON

23

18

REGAN GRIFFITHS

ROHAN INCE

24

19

ÉRICO SOUSA

DION KELLY-EVANS

27

20

LIAM MILLER

SAM HABERGHAM

28

21

KWESI APPIAH

JAYDEN LUKER

31

22

BILLY SASS-DAVIES

CHARLEY KENDALL

33

23

CHARLES CLAYDEN

JAMIE HILTON

34

24

MATT ROBINSON

MAX DYCHE

35

25

JAHMARI CLARKE

PAUL OSEW

37

31

MARTIN BRENNAN

CURTIS EDWARDS

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JOSH SMITH

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UP NEXT AT HOME OXFORD CITY TUE 6TH FEB 2024 19:45

wokingfc.co.uk

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