Woking F.C.: Difference between revisions
Sicknote10 (talk | contribs) m →Current squad: Correcting Hennessy spelling |
|||
| Line 107: | Line 107: | ||
{{Fs player | no= | nat=England | pos=MF | name= Francis Quarm}} |
{{Fs player | no= | nat=England | pos=MF | name= Francis Quarm}} |
||
{{Fs player | no= | nat=England | pos=MF | name= Toby Little}} |
{{Fs player | no= | nat=England | pos=MF | name= Toby Little}} |
||
{{Fs player | no= | nat=England | pos=MF | name= Daryn |
{{Fs player | no= | nat=England | pos=MF | name= Daryn Hennessy}} |
||
{{Fs player | no= | nat=England | pos=FW | name= [[Moses Ademola]]}} |
{{Fs player | no= | nat=England | pos=FW | name= [[Moses Ademola]]}} |
||
{{Fs player | no= | nat=England | pos=FW | name= [[Craig Faulconbridge]]}} |
{{Fs player | no= | nat=England | pos=FW | name= [[Craig Faulconbridge]]}} |
||
Revision as of 22:26, 12 August 2010
| File:Woking.png | |||
| Full name | Woking Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Cardinals, The Cards | ||
| Founded | 1889 | ||
| Ground | Kingfield Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 6,064 (2,500 seated | ||
| Chairman |  Shahid Azeem | ||
| Manager | Graham Baker | ||
| League | Conference South | ||
| 2009–10 | Conference South, 5th of 22 | ||
|
| |||
 |
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2010-11 season.
History
Early years
Woking Football Club, nicknamed The Cardinals (or The Cards for short) (from the Cardinal red of the red and white halves), was formed in 1889. The club joined the East and West Surrey League in 1895-96, winning the title by one point on the final day of the season. However, within 21 years of being formed, the club was in danger of folding for financial reasons. The turning point came when, in January 1908, Woking played Bolton Wanderers in the First Round of the FA Cup, having won through five qualifying rounds. Despite losing the away game 5-0, the club made it into the national press. Bolton Wanderers, impressed by the minnows they had defeated, travelled to Woking for a friendly match the following season, which kept the club solvent. [citation needed]
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 in 1956-57. That achievement was eclipsed in the following season when, in front of a 71,000 crowd, the Cards beat Ilford 3-0 in the last FA Amateur Cup Final to be televised live. The club then went into decline, culminating in a first-ever relegation in 1982-83. By the end of the 1984-85 season the club had fallen further down the football ladder, being relegated to Division Two South of the Isthmian League. It was during that season that former player, Geoff Chapple, was appointed as manager. Although he was not able to save the club from relegation, Woking just missed out on promotion at the first attempt, the club clinched the Division Two South title in 1986-87. After two third place finishes in Division One, they were promoted back to the Premier Division at the end of the 1989-90 season.
The following season saw Woking embark on a "giant-killing" FA Cup run. Entering the competition at the Fourth Qualifying Round, they beat Conference opposition in the shape of Bath City, Kidderminster Harriers and Merthyr Tydfil to set up a Third Round tie away to West Bromwich Albion, then in the second level of English football. Recovering from being a goal behind at half time, Woking won 4-2, with a hat-trick from Tim Buzaglo and another goal from Terry Worsfold. The Fourth Round saw the Cards draw a home tie against Division One side Everton. The game was switched to Goodison Park where Woking lost to a Kevin Sheedy goal.
Conference years
Promotion to the Conference
Promotion to the Conference was achieved in 1991-92. The Isthmian League title was clinched in early April, with seven games still to be played, 18 points clear of nearest rivals, Enfield. Few of the championship winning side were retained for the higher division and Woking finished the season in eighth position. The following summer saw Chapple sign former Chelsea, Sunderland, Fulham and QPR winger, Clive Walker, from Brighton & Hove Albion and he was to prove the catalyst in the most successful period in the club's history. The FA Trophy was won in 1994 when Runcorn were beaten on a waterlogged Wembley pitch. Twelve months later Kidderminster Harriers were beaten as Woking became only the second club ever to win successive finals. Wembley was revisited in 1997 and the FA Trophy was won for the third time, this time against Dagenham & Redbridge. The Cards also achieved five successive top five finishes in the Conference, including being runners-up in 1994-95 and 1995-96 when they finished below Stevenage Borough again, which has become somewhat a habit ever since. The club also continued to enjoy national prominence in the FA Cup. Barnet were defeated in successive seasons following draws at their Underhill ground. In 1996-97 a run in the FA Cup saw the club beat Millwall, then top of Division Two, and Cambridge United, who were challenging for promotion from Division Three. The Third Round saw Woking draw 1-1 away to Premier League side Coventry City, thanks to a last minute equaliser from the Cards' Steve Thompson, but Coventry won the replay at Kingfield 2-1.
At the end of the 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. This was the beginning of a much less successful period for the club. John McGovern and then Brian McDermott were given the position of manager, but neither achieved anything greater than a mid-table finish. 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 Ingrim came to the rescue, becoming Chairman in February 2002 with an aim of trying to increase the club's income and to secure its long-term financial stability.[citation needed]
The 2002-03 season saw the club get off to its best ever start in the Conference.[citation needed] However, September brought seven consecutive defeats and a rapid descent into the relegation zone. Geoff Chapple resigned and Glenn Cockerill took over as manager, initially on a temporary basis. After an erratic run of results Woking only avoided relegation on the last day of the season, thanks to a win and the defeat of their relegation rivals. Subsequently, the club turned fully professional and the following season The Cards finished a more creditable ninth.
In 2004-05 Woking started the season with a largely settled side, the only new signings being Shwan Jalal, Justin Richards and Stephen Evans. Hopes were high for concerted push for a play-off place. After a slowish start the team began to hit form from October onwards, building on a very mean defence, in which the central partnership of Jon Boardman and Luke Oliver were outstanding. A great run from late December saw the team move into the play-off places. Only an injury time goal from Scarborough deprived the Cards of second place with eight games to go. But then a combination of injuries and suspensions took their toll and the team found themselves on the final day with only an outside chance of making the play-offs. It wasn't to be, but the final placing of 8th, with 68 points, was the Cards' best achievement since 1997-98.
The 2005-06 season
The close season saw the departure of central defenders, Jon Boardman and Luke Oliver, both bought by League clubs. Striker Raphaël Nadé was also sold to Carlisle. Jimmy Aggrey and Karim El-Salahi joined from Bohemians and Crystal Palace to replace them, and strikers Lloyd Blackman and Craig McAllister arrived from Farnborough Town and Stevenage Borough respectively to boost the forward line. The re-signing of the influential midfielder Ian Selley was an important boost. Woking ended the season in 11th place and came runners up in the FA Trophy, losing to Grays Athletic 2-0.
The 2006-07 season
Boss Glen Cockerill was linked with Lincoln and Grimsby over the summer. He remained in charge but had to deal without the services of Conference top scorer Justin Richards who joined Peterborough. Striker Craig McAllister did well to try and fill his boots, and academy talent Giuseppe Sole surprised many with his ability.
On March 29, 2007, the following statement was released on Woking FC website:
"The Woking FC Board of Directors have today confirmed that the contracts of Glenn Cockerill and Matt Crossley have been terminated with immediate effect. The club would like to thank them for their services and wish them all the best for the future. Graham Baker and Neil Smith will take charge of all first team affairs for the remainder of this season"
The management combination of Neil Smith and Graham Baker helped the club remain in the Conference for the 2007/08 season, finishing in 15th place with a record of won 3, drawn 1 and lost 2 from the final six games of the season.
A few managers were touted for the position for the new season with many expecting Neil Smith to be appointed full time manager. However on the May 3, 2007 former Grays Athletic manager Frank Gray was appointed manager with Gerry Murphy as his number two.
The 2007-08 Season
Woking started the 2007-08 season with many new signings, all of whom came up from leagues below. However the main coup of the summer was the retaining of club captain Tom Hutchinson on a two year contract.
Woking started the season with a four match unbeaten run before losing at Salisbury City. The team remained unbeaten at home until a 3-0 defeat against York City on 13 October 2007.
Woking played their first televised game of the season against Farsley Celtic on 4 October, winning 2-0. Unfortunately this was to be their last win for 8 matches, which included a disappointing defeat at home to Staines Town in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round.
They got back to winning ways in their next televised match, at home to Ebbsfleet United on 29 November. They followed this up with four more wins, including a 2-1 victory in the Setanta Shield over arch rivals Stevenage Borough in a meaningless game, before playing the top two sides in the league, Aldershot Town twice, and Torquay United over the next three games. Three defeats left them in 18th place going into the new year. The team bounced back with a win against Halifax Town in the first home game of 2008. This was followed up by a last gasp effort by striker Marvin Morgan giving Woking all three points against Weymouth, Woking then drew 1-1 at home to Crawley Town.
On 8 April, Woking announced that manager Frank Gray had left the club by mutual consent following a 2-0 home defeat to rivals Stevenage Borough. Colin Lippiatt was named in charge temporarily with Justin Edinburgh as his number two until the end of the season.
The 2008-09 Season
On 30 May 2008, leaked information sourced that former Ghana and Charlton striker Kim Grant and former Oxford captain Phil Gilchrist will be the club's new Head Coach and Assistant, with Colin Lippiatt taking the role of Director of Football. This was formally announced at a Fans' Forum on 3 June 2008.
On 3 September 2008 Woking terminated the contract of Kim Grant after just seven games played. Phil Gilchrist was placed in charge temporarily until being confirmed as Manager on a season long contract on 23 September. Neil Lyne was appointed assistant manager to Gilchrist on October 6. More manager controversy came when Woking made Phil Gilchrist the 3rd manager to be sacked at Woking in 12 months following a 1-0 defeat at home on Setanta to Cambridge and a very disappointing 5-1 defeat to Kidderminster Harriers. Graham Baker was once again put in temporary charge until the end of the season and started well with a 1-0 victory against fellow relegation fighters Barrow. Unfortunately other results did not go Woking's way, and on April 21 victories for fellow strugglers York City and Grays Athletic, combined with a draw for Barrow meant that Woking were relegated, despite not being in action themselves that day. The following morning it was announced that Baker would continue as permanent manager the following season, and that the board would be turning control of the club over to a supporter's trust. Woking then ended a nightmare season by being defeated 3-2 in the Surrey Senior Cup final by Ashford Town (Middlesex).
The 2009-10 Season
Having assembled a new squad from the remnants of the previous season Woking begun the season 4th favourites to win the Conference South. Woking begun by winning two of the first three games, however the first home game of the new season resulted in a 2-1 defeat by Chelmsford City.
Woking had a good run in the FA Cup getting to the First Round, on their way beating Hythe Town after a replay and Maidstone United following a controversial game in which the referee got injured forcing a Maidstone fan to run the line for the final 15 minutes. The fan missed a clear offside by Luke Medley who ran on to a through ball to score the deciding goal. In the First Round, after demolishing Hendon, Woking were drawn away at League One club, Swindon Town, where they would lose 1-0 after a controversial Billy Paynter header.
Woking's home form remained dismal into winter, dropping points against Chelmsford, Eastleigh, Maidenhead United, Newport County, Braintree Town and St Albans City. Their away form however has been far more superior with wins over high flyers Basingstoke and Dover Athletic, along with impressive victories against Chelmsford City and Hampton and Richmond Borough.
Going into winter Woking were demolished 5-0 away from home by Bath City but then got back on track after a 3-0 victory away at Bishop's Stortford. Bath returned to Kingfield and got the better of Woking again winning 3-1. Their next opponents where Havant & Waterlooville where Woking would draw 1-1 despite getting two men sent off. The second red card, shown to Nathaniel Pinney, was especially debatable as he (apparently) slapped Havant goalkeeper Aaron Howe in the face in an off the ball incident. Woking started their FA Trophy campaign in late November with a 6-0 win over St Albans City in the 3rd Qualifying Round. They followed this with an upset against Conference National opponents Forest Green Rovers, winning 1-0 in December, before losing 1-0 at Oxford United in the next round. Woking managed to get to the Conference South play-off's, needing Newport or St Albans to win as well as themselves, Woking managed to defeat Weymouth 4-0. With Newport leading 2-1 but 5 minutes behind Woking game, it was a tense wait, finally confirmation came through, to the jubilation of 2000 Woking fans. They made it to the final after beating Dover 2-1 in the first leg, in front of over 3,000 fans, and then holding on to a 0-0 draw in the second leg. In the play-off final, Woking lost 1-0 to Bath City. Kaid Mohammed scoring the penalty to ensure Woking were to play another season in the Conference South.
The 2010-11 Season
Woking have started their second pre-season in the Conference South with three consecutive wins against Petersfield Town, Winchester City and Arundel.
Players
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Notable former players
Peter Bonetti
Terry McFlynn- Clive Walker
Tim Buzaglo- Laurence Batty
- Kevan Brown
- Tom Jones
Scott Steele- Neil Smith
Adriano Basso
Nassim Akrour- Kevin Betsy
- Darryl Flahavan
- Lenny Pidgeley
- Evelyn Lintott
- Ronnie Rooke
Scott Smith- Ian Selley
- Giuseppe Sole
- Tom Hutchinson
Nick Gindre- Ross Worner
Recent managers
- Graham Baker 2009 - Present
- Phil Gilchrist 2008 - 2009
Kim Grant 2008- Frank Gray 2007 - 2008
- Graham Baker & Neil Smith 2007 (Caretakers)
- Glenn Cockerill 2002 - 2007
- Geoff Chapple 2001 - 2002
- Colin Lippiatt 2000 - 2001
- Brian McDermott 1998 - 2000
- John McGovern 1997 - 1998
- Geoff Chapple 1984 - 1997
Honours
- FA Trophy Winners 1994, 1995, 1997. Runners Up 2006
- FA Amateur Cup Winners 1958
- Football Conference Runners Up 1995, 1996
- Isthmian League Champions 1957, 1992
- Isthmian League Cup Winners 1991
- Isthmian Charity Shield Winners 1992, 1993
- Surrey Senior Cup Winners 1913, 1927, 1956 1957, 1971, 1991, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2004
- Conference League Cup Winners 2005, Runners Up 1998
- Vauxhall Championship Shield Winners 1995. Runners Up 1996
- Trevor Jones Memorial Trophy Runners Up 2009
- London Senior Cup Runners Up 1983