View source for Woking F.C.

{{Short description|Association football club in England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Woking
| image = Woking FC logo.svg
| upright = 0.8
| fullname = Woking Football Club
| nickname = The Cardinals, The Cards
| short name = WFC
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1887}}<ref name="Year Founded">{{Cite news |title=Woking Football Club – 1887 |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/7376/woking-football-club-1887/ |publisher=Woking F.C. |date=17 February 2021 |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref>
| ground = [[Kingfield Stadium]]
| capacity = 6,036 (2,500 seated)
| coordinates = {{Coord|51|18|23|N|0|33|32|W|type:landmark_region:GB_scale:2000|display=inline}}
| owner = Todd Johnson <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cd6vn70ly78o | title=US businessman Todd Johnson signs agreement to buy Woking majority stake | date=8 November 2024 }}</ref>
| chairman = Todd Johnson
| manager = [[Neal Ardley]]
| mgrtitle = Manager
| league = {{English football updater|Woking}}
| season = {{English football updater|Woking2}}
| position = {{English football updater|Woking3}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/|wokingfc.co.uk}}
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| current = 2025–26 National League
}}
'''Woking Football Club''' is a professional [[association football]] club, based in [[Woking]], [[Surrey]], England. The team competes in the [[National League (division)|National League]], the fifth level of the [[English football league system]].

Founded in 1887, they joined the [[Isthmian League]] in 1911–12 and won the [[FA Amateur Cup]] in 1957–58. Woking were relegated twice in 1982–83 and 1984–85. However, they were promoted three times: in 1986–87, 1989–90 and 1991–92, to reach the [[Football Conference]]. Woking won the [[FA Trophy]] on three occasions throughout the 1990s and finished as runners-up in the Conference in their third and fourth season at that level but were not promoted. They remained at the highest level of non-League football until relegation in 2008–09. Woking subsequently won promotion back in 2011–12 before suffering another relegation in 2017–18. They earned immediate promotion to the [[National League (division)|National League]] via the play-offs in 2019.

The club currently plays its home matches at the [[Kingfield Stadium]] and is nicknamed the Cardinals, often shortened to the Cards.

==History==

===Early years===
Woking Football Club was founded in 1887.<ref name="Year Founded"/><ref name="clubhistory">{{cite news|url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/history/ |title=Club History |publisher=Woking FC |access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> The club joined the West Surrey League in 1895–96, winning the title by one point.<ref name="clubhistory"/> However, within 21 years of being formed, the club was in danger of folding for financial reasons.<ref name="clubhistory"/> The turning point came when, in January 1908, Woking played [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] in the first round of the [[FA Cup]], having made it through five qualifying rounds. Despite losing the away game 5–0, the club made it into the national news.<ref>{{cite newspaper The Times |title= Football |date= 13 January 1908 |issue= 38541 |page= 10 }}</ref> Bolton Wanderers, impressed by the minnows they had defeated, travelled to Woking for a friendly match the following season, which kept the club solvent.<ref name="clubhistory"/>

===Isthmian League years===
In 1911 the club joined the [[Isthmian League]], maintaining their place in the top division for 72 years and finishing as runners-up to [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] in 1956–57.<ref name="clubhistory"/> That achievement was eclipsed the following season when, in front of a 71,000 crowd,<ref>{{cite news |last= Rose |first= David |date= 27 March 2014 |title= Card's cup final glory |work= Woking News and Mail |issue= 5467 |page= 11}}</ref> Woking beat [[Ilford F.C.|Ilford]] 3–0 to win the 1958 [[F.A. Amateur Cup]] final,<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title= First Time Lucky For Woking In Amateur Cup Final |date= 14 April 1958 |page= 15 |issue= 54124 }}</ref> the last to be televised live.<ref name=Sherlock_Cumming_1995>{{cite book |last1= Sherlock |first1= Roger |last2= Cumming |first2= Robert |year= 1995 |title= Cardinal red: The history of Woking F. C. |publisher= CNR Sports Promotions |isbn= 0-9525-0230-5 }}</ref>{{rp|76}}

The club then went into decline, culminating in a first-ever relegation in 1982–83.<ref name="clubhistory"/> By the end of the 1984–85 season the club had plunged to Division Two South of the Isthmian League. Former player, [[Geoff Chapple]], was appointed as manager on 24 September 1984, but was not able to save the club from relegation.<ref name=Sherlock_Cumming_1995/>{{rp|125–126}} The following season, the club just missed out on promotion at the first attempt. However, the club clinched the Division Two South title in 1986–87 and, after two third-place finishes in Division One, they were promoted back to the Premier Division at the end of the 1989–90 season.<ref name="clubhistory"/>

===FA Cup glory===
During the [[1990–91 in English football|1990–91]] season, the club reached the fourth round of the [[1990–91 FA Cup|FA Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/8340321.stm |title=Chapple backs Cards cup success |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 November 2009 |access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> Woking beat three [[National League (English football)|Conference]] sides to set up a third round away tie at [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] side [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]].<ref name="West Brom 2 Woking 4">{{cite news|url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/other-sport/west-brom-2-woking-4-4858555 |title=West Brom 2 Woking 4 |publisher=Surrey Live |date=5 January 2001 |accessdate=2 April 2021}}</ref> After trailing 1–0 at half time, Woking went on to win 4–2, with [[Tim Buzaglo]] scoring a [[hat-trick]].<ref name="West Brom 2 Woking 4"/> In the Fourth Round, the club was drawn against [[Football League First Division|First Division]] [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]. The tie was originally going to be played at Woking, however the venue was switched to Everton's home ground, [[Goodison Park]]. Woking narrowly lost the match 1–0 to a [[Kevin Sheedy (Irish footballer)|Kevin Sheedy]] goal.<ref name="clubhistory"/>

===Promotion to the Conference and FA Trophy success===
[[File:Wembley Stadium - Cup Winners - geograph.org.uk - 7426798.jpg|thumb|199x199px|Woking F.C. celebrate winning the 1997 [[FA Trophy]] Final.]]
Promotion to the Conference was achieved in [[1991–92 in English football|1991–92]].<ref name="clubhistory"/> The [[Isthmian League]] title was clinched in early April, with seven games still to be played, 18 points clear of nearest rivals, [[Enfield F.C.|Enfield]].<ref name="clubhistory"/> The next season saw Woking finish the season in eighth position.<ref name="clubhistory"/> The following summer saw Chapple sign former [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]], [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] and [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|QPR]] winger, [[Clive Walker (footballer, born 1957)|Clive Walker]], from [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] and he was to prove the catalyst in the most successful period in the club's history. Woking won the [[FA Trophy]] for the first time in 1994,<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |last= Gammie |first= Walter |title= Wycombe's success provides example for Woking |date= 23 May 1994 |page= 24 |issue= 64961 }}</ref> defeating [[Runcorn F.C. Halton|Runcorn]] in the final at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]]; the following season they became only the second club to win back-to-back FA Trophies (after [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]] in 1976–77), defeating [[Kidderminster Harriers F.C.|Kidderminster Harriers]] in the final.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |last= Gammie |first= Walter |title= Harriers caught by Fielder |date= 15 May 1995 |page= 29 |issue= 65267 }}</ref> A third FA Trophy triumph followed in 1997, with [[Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.|Dagenham & Redbridge]] the opponents in the final.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |last= Gammie |first= Walter |title= Woking win battle to prove cup pedigree |date= 19 May 1997 |page= 27 |issue= 65893 }}</ref> The Cards also achieved five successive top-five finishes in the Conference, including being runners-up in [[1994–95 in English football|1994–95]] and [[1995–96 in English football|1995–96]] when they finished below [[Stevenage Borough F.C.|Stevenage]]. The club also continued to enjoy national prominence in the FA Cup. [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]] were defeated in successive seasons following draws at their homeground. In [[1996–97 in English football|1996–97]] a run in the FA Cup saw the club beat [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]], then top of Division Two, and [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]], who were challenging for promotion from Division Three.<ref name="clubhistory"/> The third round saw Woking draw 1–1 away to [[Premier League]] side [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]], thanks to a last minute equaliser from the Cards' Steve Thompson, but Coventry won the replay at Kingfield 2–1.<ref name="clubhistory"/>

At the end of the [[1996–97 in English football|1996–97]] campaign, having just clinched the FA Trophy for the third time, Geoff Chapple and his coach, Colin Lippiatt, left the club and joined [[Kingstonian F.C.|Kingstonian]].<ref name="clubhistory"/> This was the beginning of a less successful period for the club. [[John McGovern (footballer, born 1949)|John McGovern]] and then [[Brian McDermott (footballer)|Brian McDermott]] were given the position of manager, but neither achieved anything greater than a mid-table finish.

===21st century===
After McDermott, Colin Lippiatt returned but fared little better. He was replaced by his former boss as Geoff Chapple too came back to Woking. Lippiatt departed in January 2002 and [[Glenn Cockerill]] joined as Chapple's assistant. This season ended with the club just one place above the relegation places. In the meantime very significant events had taken place off the field. The downturn in the club's fortunes had led to a financial crisis. With the club facing administration or worse, local businessman and long-time fan [[Chris Ingram]] bought the club, becoming chairman in February 2002 with an aim of trying to increase the club's income and to secure its long-term financial stability.<ref>{{cite news |last= Dyke |first= Chris |date= 15 February 2002 |title= Takeover saves Cards |work= Surrey Advertiser |issue= 15554 |page= 22 }}</ref>

Cockerill took over as manager later that year, and oversaw a relative period of stability for the club, before he was sacked shortly before the end of the 2006–07 season. An unimpressive campaign under the management of [[Frank Gray]] followed in 2007–08, before a disastrous 2008–09 season which saw three men (Kim Grant, Phil Gilchrist and Graham Baker) take charge of the club,<ref>{{cite news |date= 2 July 2013 |orig-date= 2 April 2009 |title= Football: Gilchrist sacked |work= SurreyLive |url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/football-gilchrist-sacked-4824410 |access-date= 22 July 2023 }}</ref> eventually resulted in the club's relegation to the [[Conference South]]. That summer, a [[supporters' trust]] took over the running of the club. Woking finished 5th in their first Conference South season, but lost to [[Bath City F.C.|Bath City]] in the play-off final. The following season saw Woking struggling to challenge for promotion, and Graham Baker was sacked halfway through the campaign for suggesting that the fans were expecting too much of the team.

[[Garry Hill]] took over as manager and improved the team's form, eventually resulting in another fifth-place finish, only for the club to get knocked out in the play-off semi-finals this time against [[Farnborough F.C.|Farnborough]]. In April 2012, having beaten [[Maidenhead United]] 0–1 with Giuseppe Sole scoring for a record breaking ninth game in a row, Woking were promoted to the [[Conference Premier]], winning the [[Conference South]] with two games to spare.<ref>{{cite news |last= Oxtoby |first= Tom |date= 26 April 2012 |title= Carnival kings |work= Woking News and Mail |issue= 5382 |page= 1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= Oxtoby |first= Tom |date= 26 April 2012 |title= Smith hails the start of something special |work= Woking News and Mail |issue= 5382 |page= 3 }}</ref> They eventually reached 97 points, beating second placed [[Dartford F.C.|Dartford]] by nine points. After five seasons in the [[National League (English football)|National League]] (formerly Conference Premier), Woking acrimoniously parted company with Hill after six-and-a-half years at the helm.<ref>{{cite news |last= Florence |first= Oliver |date= 5 May 2017 |title= Garry Hill leaves Woking FC after six years as manager |work= SurreyLive |url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/garry-hill-leaves-woking-fc-12989519 |access-date= 22 July 2023 }}</ref>

The club appointed former [[Southampton FC Academy|Southampton]] and [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] under-23s coach [[Anthony Limbrick]] in May 2017, which saw the club take another step to becoming full-time again, with players training three times a week.<ref>{{cite news |first= Kaylee |last= Seckington  |date= 11 May 2017 |title= Move towards full-time will help Woking progress, says new manager Anthony Limbrick |work= SurreyLive |url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/move-towards-full-time-help-13018676 |access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> Despite a good run in the [[2017–18 FA Cup]], Woking's league form suffered, which culminated in just three league wins between October 2017 and April 2018. Limbrick was subsequently relieved of his duties just 11 months into a three-year contract, leaving assistant manager Jason Goodliffe to take over the managerial reins (aided by former [[Aldershot Town F.C.|Aldershot Town]] coach Matt Gray) to preserve The Cards' National League status with just five games remaining.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43633314 |title=Anthony Limbrick: Woking part company with boss |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2018 |access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> However, Woking's fate was eventually sealed on the final day of the season after a 2–1 home defeat against [[Dover Athletic F.C.|Dover Athletic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43847106 |title=Woking 1-2 Dover Athletic |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2018 |access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref>

On 16 May 2018, and after much speculation, the club finally confirmed the appointment of former [[Kingstonian F.C.|Kingstonian]] and [[Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C.|Hampton & Richmond Borough]] manager [[Alan Dowson]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44137509 |title=Alan Dowson: Woking appoint Hampton & Richmond boss as manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2018 |accessdate=2 April 2021}}</ref> Woking returned to the [[National League (English football)|National League]] in 2019 at the first time of asking following a 1–0 win over [[Welling United F.C.|Welling United]] in [[2018–19 National League#Play-offs 3|National League South play-off final]]. During this promotion season, Woking reached the third round of the [[2018–19 FA Cup|FA Cup]]. Woking had beaten [[EFL League Two|League Two]] side [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] before losing out to [[Premier League]] side [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] 2–0.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46332896 |title=Swindon Town 0-1 Woking: National League South side cause shock at County Ground |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 December 2018 |access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46713166 |title=Woking 0-2 Watford in FA Cup third round |author=Emma Sanders |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 January 2019 |access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref>

The following [[2019–20 National League|season]], Woking finished in 10th place back in the [[National League (division)|National League]] following the decision to stop the season in March 2020 due to the disruption caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-ordinary-resolution-supp-62361 |title=National League Statement: Ordinary Resolution Supported by Clubs |author=Oliver Osborn |publisher=Vanarama National League |date=17 June 2020 |access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> In the [[2020–21 National League]] season, Woking finished 20th.

On 28 February 2022, Dowson was sacked by the club following a "prolonged run of poor form in the league", ending his four-year association with the [[Surrey]]-based side.<ref>{{cite news |last= Bradshaw |first= David |date= 1 March 2022 |title= Woking Football Club sacks manager Alan Dowson after poor run of results |work= SurreyLive |url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/woking-football-club-sacks-manager-23248368 |access-date= 22 July 2023 }}</ref> Dowson informed local paper ''SurreyLive'' that the club had sacked him in a 20-second phone call and he would never return to Woking. Due to the circumstances of how Dowson was sacked board members Rosemary Johnson and Kelvin Reay resigned.<ref>{{cite news |last= Youlton |first= Clive |date= 2 March 2022 |orig-date= 1 March 2022 |title= Woking FC sack Alan Dowson with '20-second phone call' as he vows never to return to club |work= SurreyLive |url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/woking-fc-sack-alan-dowson-23257093 |access-date= 22 July 2023 }}</ref> Ian Dyer, the assistant manager, took charge of the club as caretaker manager.<ref>{{cite news |last= Youlton |first= Clive |date= 10 March 2022 |title= Ian Dyer wants to stay at Woking and insists, 'I think I have a lot to offer on multiple sides of the game' |work= SurreyLive |url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ian-dyer-wants-stay-woking-23350516 |access-date= 22 July 2023 }}</ref>

On 28 March 2022, former [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]] manager [[Darren Sarll]] was appointed until the end of the 2023–24 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/7812/darren-sarll-named-first-team-manager/ |title=Darren Sarll Named First-Team Manager |publisher=Woking FC |date=28 March 2022 |access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref> In the [[2022–23 National League|2022–23]] season, Woking finished the season in 4th place but lost the play-off eliminator at home to [[Bromley F.C.|Bromley]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65439158 |title=Woking 1–2 Bromley |website=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2023 |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref> Despite signing a new two-year deal in February 2023,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Cards Extend Sarll's Contract |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/8128/cards-extend-sarll-s-contract/#:~:text=Woking%20Football%20Club%20is%20pleased,of%20the%202024%2F25%20season. |publisher=Woking FC |first=Daniel |last=O'Sullivan |date=21 February 2023 |accessdate=24 April 2024}}</ref> Sarll was ultimately sacked in November 2023 following defeats to eighth-tier side, [[Ramsgate F.C.|Ramsgate]] in the [[FA Cup]] and [[Oxford City F.C.|Oxford City]] in the National League.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Club Statement: Darren Sarll |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/8373/club-statement-darren-sarll/#:~:text=Woking%20Football%20Club%20can%20confirm,on%20and%20off%20the%20pitch. |publisher=Woking FC |date=13 November 2023 |accessdate=24 April 2024}}</ref>

A month later, former [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]], [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] and [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] player, [[Michael Doyle (footballer, born 1981)|Michael Doyle]] was appointed as first-team manager on a two-year deal, replacing the interim manager, Ian Dyer.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Michael Doyle Appointed First Team Manager |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/8420/michael-doyle-appointed-first-team-manager/ |publisher=Woking FC |date=17 December 2023 |accessdate=24 April 2024}}</ref> Doyle went onto secure the club's National League status on the final day of the season, with a 3–0 home victory over [[AFC Fylde]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Woking 3–0 AFC Fylde |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68804834 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 April 2024 |accessdate=24 April 2024}}</ref>

In July 2024, it was reported that Woking could go into [[Administration (British football)|administration]] if a buyer could not be found in the next few weeks. Owner Drew Volpe was willing to sell the club for £1, and only a £600,000 loan from his parents was keeping the club afloat.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peddy |first1=Chris |last2=Durrans |first2=Tim |title=Woking facing administration, owner warns |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c51y91pnyxno |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 July 2024}}</ref> In November 2024, American businessman Todd Johnson (a former vice-chairman of [[Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.|Dagenham & Redbridge]] and a co-owner of [[Major League Soccer|MLS]] side [[Minnesota United FC]]) agreed to acquire a majority stake in Woking, with Volpe – who had provided £3m to the club – retaining a minority stake.<ref>{{cite news |title=US businessman Johnson signs deal to buy Woking |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cd6vn70ly78o |access-date=11 November 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Peddy |first1=Chris |last2=Durrans |first2=Tim |title=Woking were 'dead in the water' before agreeing sale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c74l1wzx7yvo |access-date=11 November 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 November 2024}}</ref> In December 2024, shareholders voted in favour of the club's takeover by Johnson's Cardinal Football Group.<ref>{{cite news |title='Path clear' for Cardinal Group to takeover Woking |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx2yj1qx0jzo |access-date=10 December 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 December 2024}}</ref> After three defeats in four games, on 16 December 2024, the club sacked their then manager, [[Michael Doyle (footballer, born 1981)|Michael Doyle]], as well as [[Ben Turner (footballer)|Ben Turner]], assistant manager.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2024 |title=Club Statement: Michael Doyle {{!}} Woking Football Club |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/8758/club-statement-michael-doyle/ |access-date=14 December 2024 |website=Official Website of Woking FC}}</ref> Woking were 19th in the National League, a point above the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite news |title=Woking sack manager Doyle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4g28pwgvyro |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=16 December 2024}}</ref> [[Neal Ardley]] was appointed as manager on 19 December 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ardley appointed Woking manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq62582zv1go |access-date=20 December 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2024}}</ref>

==Stadium==
At the start of the 1922 season, Woking F.C. moved to [[Kingfield Stadium]],<ref name=Sherlock_Cumming_1995/>{{rp|35}} which has been known as the Laithwaite Community Stadium since August 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last1= Bodkin |first1= Henry |date= 7 August 2015 |title= Woking FC stadium renamed in sponsorship deal |work= SurreyLive |url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/woking-fc-stadium-renamed-sponsorship-9808180 |access-date= 22 July 2023 }}</ref> Previously, the club had played at the Horsell Cricket Ground before moving to a dedicated football venue on Pembroke Road in 1907.

Different stands of Woking FC stadium:

The KRE: This is the main home terrace and usually where the best atmosphere is found.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} It runs along one end of the pitch. The terrace is covered by a roof.

The Leslie Gosden stand: This stand is the largest stand of the stadium and is located opposite to the KRE. The LGS is an all seater stand consisting of around 2,000 seats. A quarter of this stand is usually given to away fans.

The Chris Lane terrace: The Chris Lane terrace is a large terrace without a roof and is reserved for away fans. The terrace runs a whole length of the pitch.

Moaners corner: Moaners corner is one of three stands on the opposite side of the pitch to the Chris lane terrace. It's a small terrace stand without a roof. The fans who stand in the terrace are usually veteran fans.

Directors box: The directors box is a small stand the directors of the club sit in, this is also where the media area and PA box are located. This stand is located in between moaners corner and the family stand.

The family stand: The family stand is located next to the directors box and is an all-seater stand usually consisting of families.

==Mascot==
Woking F.C. has a team mascot called K.C. Kat.<ref>{{cite news |last= Tobitt |first= Charlotte |date= 3 October 2016 |title= 7 of Surrey's most lovable mascots supporting charities, museums, towns and sports clubs |work= SurreyLive |url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/lifestyle/fun-stuff/7-surreys-most-lovable-mascots-11945117 |access-date= 22 July 2023 }}</ref>

==Rivalries==
For many years Woking's main rivals have been [[Stevenage F.C.|Stevenage]] and [[Aldershot Town F.C.|Aldershot Town]], where games attract larger than average crowds. Stevenage are Woking's historic rivals due to animosity in the 1990s,<ref>{{cite news |last= Youlton |first= Clive |date= 22 November 2016 |title= A tale of Woking FC and that Stevenage thing |work= SurreyLive |url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tale-woking-fc-stevenage-thing-12211415 |access-date= 22 July 2023 }}</ref> while the rivalry with Aldershot is a more recent rivalry due to locality.<ref>{{cite news |last= Youlton |first= Clive |date= 7 December 2016 |title= Woking FC vs Aldershot Town: The day the rivalry got all shirty |work= SurreyLive |url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/nostalgia/woking-fc-vs-aldershot-town-12287214 |access-date= 22 July 2023 }}</ref> [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] have also become minor rivals due to intense games and competition when they were relegated to the national league south together; altercations between fans have also helped feed this new rivalry.<ref>{{cite web |date= 28 February 2021 |title= One win from Wembley: Woking triumph in latest 'A303 derby' |publisher= Woking F. C. |url= https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/7389/one-win-from-wembley-woking-triumph-in-latest-a303-derby/ |access-date= 22 July 2023 }}</ref>

==Players==

===Current squad===
{{updated|10 November 2025}}<ref>{{cite web
| title = First Team
| url = https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/mens/first-team/profiles/
| website = www.wokingfc.co.uk
| date = 26 June 2025}}</ref>

{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=2|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Aaron Drewe]]}}
{{Fs player|no=3|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Caleb Richards]]}}
{{Fs player|no=4|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Chinwike Okoli|other=[[Captain (association football)|vice-captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=5|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Timi Odusina]]}}
{{Fs player|no=6|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Jamie Andrews]]}}
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Harry Beautyman]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=NIR|pos=MF|name=[[Dale Gorman]]}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=IRL|pos=FW|name=[[Aiden O'Brien]]}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Matt Ward (footballer)|Matt Ward]]}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Joshua Osude}}
{{Fs player|no=13|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=[[Craig Ross (footballer)|Craig Ross]]|other=[[player-coach]]}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Tariq Hinds}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=16|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Tunji Akinola]]}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Jack Turner (footballer, born 2002)|Jack Turner]]}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Jake Hyde]]|other=[[player-coach]]}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Sam Ashford]]}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=NIR|pos=FW|name=[[Josh Kelly (footballer, born 1998)|Josh Kelly]]|other=on loan from [[AFC Wimbledon]]}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=FIN|pos=GK|name=[[Will Jääskeläinen]]}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=NGA|pos=MF|name=[[Tim Akinola|Timmy Akinola]]}}
{{Fs player|no=24|nat=MSR|pos=FW|name=[[Ashley Boatswain]]|other=on loan from [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]}}
{{fs player|no=25|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Jake Forster-Caskey]]}}
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Olly Sanderson]]|other=on loan from [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]}}
{{Fs player|no=34|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Quincy Patterson}}
{{Fs end}}

===Out on loan===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=9|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Inih Effiong]]|other=at [[Chelmsford City F.C.|Chelmsford City]] until 2 December 2025}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Luke Hall|other=at [[Buxton F.C.|Buxton]] until 4 January 2026}}
{{Fs player|no=32|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Joden Trickett|other=dual-registered with [[Ascot United F.C.|Ascot United]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=33|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Sonny Parkes|other=dual-registered with [[Moneyfields F.C.|Moneyfields]]}}
{{Fs player|no=35|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Bailey Cotton|other=dual-registered with [[Broadbridge Heath F.C.|Broadbridge Heath]]}}
{{Fs end}}

==Seasons==
{{Main|List of Woking F.C. seasons}}
Statistics from the previous decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fchd.info/WOKING.HTM |title=Woking |publisher=Football Club Database |access-date=30 May 2023}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! League
! Level
! Pld
! W
! D
! L
! GF
! GA
! GD
! Pts
! Position
! Leading league scorer
! Goals
! [[FA Cup]]
! [[FA Trophy]]
! [[National League Cup (football)|NL Cup]]
! Average attendance
|- align="center"
| [[2015–16 National League#National League|2015–16]]
| [[National League (division)|National League]]
| 5
| 46
| 17
| 10
| 19
| 71
| 68
| +3
| 61
| 12 of 24
| [[John Goddard (footballer)|John Goddard]]
| 17
|[[2015–16 FA Cup|QR4]]
|[[2015–16 FA Trophy|QF]]
|—
| 1,634
|- align="center"
| [[2016–17 National League#National League|2016–17]]
| National League
| 5
| 46
| 14
| 11
| 21
| 66
| 80
| −14
| 53
| 18 of 24
| [[Gozie Ugwu]]
| 17
|[[2016–17 FA Cup|R2]]
|[[2016–17 FA Trophy|R1]]
|—
| 1,429
|-bgcolor="#FF5349" align="center"
| [[2017–18 National League#National League|2017–18]]
| National League
| 5
| 46
| 13
| 9
| 24
| 56
| 76
| −20
| 48
| 21 of 24<br />'''[[Promotion and relegation|Relegated]]'''
| [[Charlie Carter (footballer)|Charlie Carter]]
| 12
|bgcolor=White|[[2017–18 FA Cup|R2]]
|bgcolor=White|[[2017–18 FA Trophy|R1]]
|bgcolor=White|—
|bgcolor=White|1,911
|- bgcolor="#ACE1AF" align="center"
| [[2018–19 National League#National League South|2018–19]]
| [[National League South]]
| 6
| 42
| 23
| 9
| 10
| 76
| 49
| +27
| 78
| 2 of 22<br />'''[[Playoffs#England|Won in PO final]]'''
| [[Max Kretzschmar]]
| 14
|bgcolor=White|[[2018–19 FA Cup|R3]]
|bgcolor=White|[[2018–19 FA Trophy|R1]]
|bgcolor=White|—
|bgcolor=White|1,882
|- align="center"
| [[2019–20 National League#National League|2019–20]]
| National League
| 5
| 38
| 15
| 10
| 13
| 50
| 55
| -5
| 55
| 10 of 24<br />'''[[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|Season finished early due to COVID-19 pandemic]]'''
| [[Jake Hyde]]
| 16
|[[2019–20 FA Cup|QR4]]
|[[2019–20 FA Trophy|R1]]
|—
| 2,139
|- align="center"
| [[2020–21 National League#National League|2020–21]]
| National League
| 5
| 42
| 8
| 9
| 25
| 42
| 69
| -27
| 33
| 20 of 23
| [[Max Kretzschmar]]
| 7
|[[2020–21 FA Cup|R1]]
|[[2020–21 FA Trophy|SF]]
|—
| 799<ref group=lower-alpha>Fans were only permitted during two fixtures this season due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].</ref>
|- align="center"
| [[2021–22 National League#National League|2021–22]]
| National League
| 5
| 44
| 16
| 5
| 23
| 59
| 61
| -2
| 53
| 15 of 23
| [[Tahvon Campbell]]<br />[[Inih Effiong]]<br />[[Max Kretzschmar]]
| 13
|[[2021–22 FA Cup|QR4]]
|[[2021–22 FA Trophy|R3]]
|—
| 2,703
|- align="center"
| [[2022–23 National League#National League|2022–23]]
| National League
| 5
| 46
| 24
| 10
| 12
| 71
| 48
| +23
| 82
| 4 of 24<br />'''[[Playoffs#England|Lost in PO quarter-final]]'''
| [[Rhys Browne]]
| 13
|[[2022–23 FA Cup|R1]]
|[[2022–23 FA Trophy|R3]]
|—
| 2,734
|- align="center"
| [[2023–24 National League#National League|2023–24]]
| National League
| 5
| 46
| 15
| 10
| 21
| 49
| 55
| -6
| 55
| 17 of 24
| [[Ricky Korboa]]
| 7
|[[2023–24 FA Cup|R1]]
|[[2023–24 FA Trophy|R3]]
|—
| 2,723
|- align="center"
| [[2024–25 National League#National League|2024–25]]
| National League
| 5
| 46
| 13
| 19
| 14
| 52
| 59
| -7
| 58
| 15 of 24
| [[Harry Beautyman]]
| 10
|[[2024–25 FA Cup|R1]]
|[[2024–25 FA Trophy|SF]]
|[[2024–25 National League Cup|GS]]
| 2,322
|}

{{notelist}}

==Managerial history==
A list of Woking FC managers from 1984 onwards.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dates
! Names
! Notes
|-
| 1984–1997
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Geoff Chapple]]
|-
| 1997–1998
| {{flagicon|Scotland}} [[John McGovern (footballer, born 1949)|John McGovern]]
|-
| 1998–2000
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Brian McDermott (footballer)|Brian McDermott]]
|-
| 2000–2001
| {{flagicon|England}} Colin Lippiatt
|-
| 2001–2002
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Geoff Chapple]]
|-
| 2002–2007
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Glenn Cockerill]]
|-
| 2007
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Graham Baker (footballer)|Graham Baker]] &<br/> {{flagicon|England}} [[Neil Smith (footballer)|Neil Smith]]
| Caretaker Managers
|-
| 2007–2008
| {{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Frank Gray]]
|-
| 2008
| {{flagicon|Ghana}} [[Kim Grant (footballer)|Kim Grant]]
|-
| 2008–2009
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Phil Gilchrist]]
|-
| 2009–2011
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Graham Baker (footballer)|Graham Baker]]
|-
| 2011–2017
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Garry Hill]]
|-
| 2017–2018
| {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Anthony Limbrick]]
|-
| 2018
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Geoff Chapple]]
| Caretaker Manager
|-
| 2018–2022
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Alan Dowson]]
|-
| 2022
| {{flagicon|England}} Ian Dyer
| Caretaker Manager
|-
| 2022–2023
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Darren Sarll]]
|-
| 2023
| {{flagicon|England}} Ian Dyer
| Caretaker Manager
|-
| 2023–2024
| {{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Michael Doyle (footballer, born 1981)|Michael Doyle]]
|-
| 2024–
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Neal Ardley]]
{{Fb oi footer|s=[https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/history/ Woking F.C.]|date=May 2023}}

==Club officials==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Position
!Club Official
|-
| Chairman || {{flagicon|USA}} Todd Johnson
|-
|rowspan="3"| Directors|| {{flagicon|ENG}} Steven Batchelor
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Dean Curtis
|-
| {{flagicon|USA}} Dwight Volpe
|-
|Cards Trust elected Director & Company Secretary|| {{flagicon|ENG}} George Burnett
|-
|Honorary Vice President of the Cards|| {{flagicon|ENG}} Peter Jordan
|-
|Club Ambassador|| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Geoff Chapple]]
|-
{{Fb oi footer|s=[https://wokingfc.co.uk/club/club-staff/ Woking F.C.]|date=September 2025}}

==Management team==

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Position
!Staff
|-
|Director of Football|| {{flagicon|ENG}} Jody Brown
|-
|First Team Manager|| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Neal Ardley]]
|-
|First Team Assistant Manager|| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Simon Bassey]]
|-
|Goalkeeper Coach|| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Craig Ross (footballer)|Craig Ross]]
|-
|Head of Analysis|| {{flagicon|ENG}} Kevin Rawlinson
|-
|Strength and Conditioning Coach||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jake Hyde]]
|-
|Physiotherapist|| {{flagicon|ENG}} Dan Rowe
|-
|Kit Manager|| {{flagicon|ENG}} Malcolm Jobling
|-
{{Fb oi footer|s=[https://wokingfc.co.uk/teams/men/ Woking F.C.]|date=March 2017}}

==Club records==
*Highest league position: 2nd in Conference National, [[1994–95 Football Conference|1994–95]], [[1995–96 Football Conference|1995–96]]
*Best [[FA Cup]] performance: Fourth round, [[1990–91 FA Cup|1990–91]]
*Best [[FA Trophy]] best performance: Winners, [[1993–94 FA Trophy|1993–94]], [[1994–95 FA Trophy|1994–95]], [[1996–97 FA Trophy|1996–97]] (Joint record number of wins)
*Largest transfer fee received: £150,000 for [[Kevin Betsy]] to [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], 1998
*Largest transfer fee paid: £60,000 for [[Chris Sharpling]] from [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], 2001
*Record win: 17–3 vs. Farnham, Surrey Charity Shield, 1913
*Heaviest defeat: 16–0 vs. New Crusaders, FA Cup, 1905
*Record attendance: 6,000 vs [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]], FA Cup, 19 December 1978; 6,000 vs [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]], FA Cup, 4 February 1997<ref>Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2020) ''Non-League Club Directory 2021'', p512 {{ISBN|978-1869833848}}</ref>
*Record home league attendance: 5,297 vs [[Aldershot Town]], National League, 1 January 2023<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/8074/match-report-cards-put-on-a-show-for-record-crowd-to-complete-double-over-shots/ |title=Match Report - Cards put on a show for record crowd to complete double over Shots |author=Will Bewsey |publisher=Woking |date=2 January 2023 |access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref>

==Honours==
Sources:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fchd.info/WOKING.HTM |title=Woking |publisher=Football Club History Database |access-date=23 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.surreyfa.com/previous-winners-and-officials/saturday-senior-cup-previous-winners |title=Saturday Senior Cup Previous Winners |publisher=SurreyFA |access-date=28 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502232940/http://www.surreyfa.com/previous-winners-and-officials/saturday-senior-cup-previous-winners |archive-date=2 May 2014}}</ref>

'''League'''
*[[Isthmian League]] / [[National League (division)|National League South]] (level 6)
**Champions: [[1991–92 Isthmian League|1991–92]], [[2011–12 Football Conference|2011–12]]
**Play-off winners: [[2018–19 National League#National League South|2019]]
*Isthmian League Division One
**Runners-up: [[1989–90 Isthmian League|1989–90]]
*Isthmian League Division Two South
**Champions: [[1986–87 Isthmian League|1986–87]]

'''Cup'''
*[[FA Trophy]]
**Winners: [[1993–94 FA Trophy|1993–94]], [[1994–95 FA Trophy|1994–95]], [[1996–97 FA Trophy|1996–97]]
**Runners-up: [[2005–06 FA Trophy|2005–06]]
*[[Conference League Cup]]
**Winners: [[2004–05 Conference Cup|2004–05]]
*[[Alan Turvey Trophy|Isthmian League Cup]]
**Winners: [[1990–91 Isthmian League|1990–91]]
*[[FA Amateur Cup]]
**Winners: [[1957–58 in English football|1957–58]]
*Isthmian Charity Shield
**Winners: 1992, 1993
*[[Surrey Senior Cup]]
**Winners (13): 1912–13, 1926–27, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1971–72, 1990–91, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1999–00, 2003–04, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2016–17
*[[Trevor Jones Memorial Trophy]]
**Winners: 2011
* Vauxhall Championship Shield
**Winners: 1995

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://www.wokingfc.co.uk/}}
*{{fchd |id=WOKING |name=Woking }}

{{Woking F.C.}}
{{Football Conference}}
{{Woking}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Woking F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Surrey]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1887]]
[[Category:1887 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Surrey County Intermediate League (Western)]]
[[Category:Isthmian League clubs]]
[[Category:National League (English football) clubs]]