WOKING F.C.
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'Woking F.C.' are an association football club that are based in Woking, Surrey, England formed in 1889. They currently play in the Conference National league. The home ground of the club is the Kingfield Stadium. Football commentator Martin Tyler is a fan of the club.
History
Early Years
Woking Football Club, almost universally known as The Cards (from the Cardinal red of the red and white halves), was formed in 1889. The club joined the 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 F.C. 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. Woking are known to be the first sports club in the world to have the nickname 'Cardinals', several years before the St. Louis Cardinals.
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, the renaissance was underway. Just missing out on promotion at the first attempt, 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.
FA Cup glory
The next season saw the club become part of FA Cup folklore. 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. Recovering from being a goal behind, Woking won 4-2, thanks to a superb team effort and a hat-trick from Tim Buzaglo. The club then had the good fortune to be drawn out of the hat with a home game against Everton. The tie was switched to Goodison Park and, against a team with several internationals, the sides were separated only by a solitary Kevin Sheedy goal. Over 34,000 people remained in the ground to give the players a rapturous standing ovation.
Conference years
Promotion to the Conference
Promotion to the Conference was achieved in 1991-92. Such was Woking's dominance that the Isthmian League title was clinched in early April, with seven games still to be played. Nearest rivals Enfield had been swept aside 5-0 in a scintillating display of flowing, attacking football and the season ended with the club 18 points clear of the Londoners. The Conference brought fresh challenges and the new season kicked off with very few of the championship side in the line-up. After a shaky start an eighth place finish was achieved. The following summer saw Chapple make one of the most inspired signings in the history of the club. Clive Walker, the former Chelsea, Sunderland, Fulham and QPR winger, was signed 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 vanquished 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. 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 put paid to the hopes of Millwall, then top of Division Two, and Cambridge United, who were challenging for promotion from Division Three. The Third Round draw paired the club with Coventry City and few people held out any hope for The Cards. The game was closely fought, with the Premiership outfit 1-0 ahead with only seconds remaining at their Highfield Road ground. Then Steve Thompson struck and the expensively assembled array of international footballers had to travel to Kingfield for a replay. Although Coventry City ran out 2-1 winners in the replay, by the margin of an own-goal, many people felt that Woking had more than held their own.
Geoff Chapple's departure
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. John McGovern, the former Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United midfielder, was appointed. Hopes were high that he would lead Woking into the League but, although the club finished in third place, his style of play and his personality did little to endear him to the fans. A poor start to the 1998-99 campaign led to his dismissal. Brian McDermott, the former Arsenal player, who had recently managed Slough, joined Woking on a non-contract basis and achieved a temporary upturn in fortunes, guiding the team to a ninth place finish. However, the club struggled again in 1999-00 and McDermott was relieved of his duties in March 2000. Colin Lippiatt, a vital part of the successful Chapple management team, returned. Five wins in succession towards the end of the season lifted The Cards from the relegation slots into a 14th place finish. The 2000-01 season saw yet another poor start, with the club once more living under the threat of relegation. The signing on loan of Chris Sharpling proved crucial in enabling The Cards to pull clear and achieve another 14th place finish. The team struggled once more in the 2001-02 season. Defeat in the FA Cup, by Newport County, saw Colin Lippiatt stand down and become the number two at the club, with Geoff Chapple back as manager.
Hopes that the duo could restore Woking's status at the top of the non-league game proved sadly unfounded. Colin Lippiatt departed in January 2002 and Glenn Cockerill, the former Southampton midfielder, joined as Chapple's assistant. The 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, successful businessman and long-time fan, Chris Ingram, came to the rescue, becoming Chairman in February 2002. He is now working to try to increase the club's income and to secure its long-term financial stability.
Glenn Cockerill takes over
The 2002-03 season saw the club get off to its best ever start in the Conference. 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 unlikely sequence of results - winning and losing alternate games in a run of 12 matches and then embarking on nine consecutive draws - it all turned on the last day of the season. Woking went into the final game second from bottom, knowing that even a win over Telford would not guarantee their Conference status for 2003-04. However, a convincing 3-0 win for The Cards, plus victories by Stevenage Borough at home to Southport and Farnborough Town away to Nuneaton Borough, ensured relegation for those two defeated clubs and a massive sigh of relief around Kingfield. It was ironic that rivals Stevenage Borough and Farnborough Town were the clubs to keep Woking up. Cards fans had reason to be cautiously optimistic at the beginning of the 2003-04 season that Woking had finally turned the corner. The club had gone full-time in the summer and several loan players who had been crucial in the relegation fight the previous season were signed along with other promising recruits, including the ex-Arsenal player, Ian Selley, and Steve Ferguson from Tottenham Hotspur. The fans' hopes were borne out by a much better season, with The Cards achieving a ninth place finish, having been on the fringe of the play-off places until the last few weeks. Only the top two clubs, Chester and Hereford, managed to leave Kingfield with all three points and then only by a late winner in both cases.
The 2004-05 Season
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.
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 on 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. The Cards went out of the FA Cup in the first round to Tranmere Rovers and finished 15th in the Conference National.
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"
On the May 3, 2007 Frank Gray was appointed manager with Gerry Murphy as his number 2.
During the Summer Transfer Window, Woking have made a fresh start with the squad, with very few players staying. A focus on young, potentially great players was introduced, with the academy showing more positive success.
2007/08 Results
Pre-Season
★ 14/07/07 - Basingstoke (A) Lost 2-1
★ 17/07/07 - Maidenhead (A) Lost 1-0
★ 24/07/07 - AFC Wimbledon (H) Won 1-0 (Att: 1,136)
★ 27/07/07 - Havant & Waterloo (A) Lost 1-0
★ 28/07/07 - Bognor (A) Lost 1-0
★ 01/08/07 - Brighton & Hove Albion (H) Drew 1-1 (Att: 845)
★ 04/08/07 - Farnborough FC (A) Lost 2-1
★ 07/08/07 - Southampton XI (H) Lost 2-0 (Att: 920)
Normal Season
★ 11/08/07 - Rushden & Diamonds (H) Drew 1-1 (Att: 1576)
★ 15/08/07 - Grays Athletic (A) Drew 1-1
★ 18/08/07 - Stafford Rangers (A) Won 1-0
★ 25/08/07 - Cambridge United (H) Drew 0-0 (Att: 1805)
★ 27/08/07 - Salisbury City (A) Lost 2-1
★ 01/09/07 - Forest Green Rovers (H) Drew 1-1 (Att: 1499)
Players
:''As of 13 August 2007.''[1]
Current squad
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
★ 'FA Cup' 4th Round 1991
★ 'Surrey Senior Cup' Winners 1913, 1927, 1955, 1971, 1991, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2004
★ 'GLS Conference Cup' Winners 2005 (The Only Winners of this Cup) (now the Setanta Shield)
★ 'Vauxhall Championship Shield' Winners 1995
Notes
1. Woking
External link
★ Official Website
★ Fans forum
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