Kingfield Stadium - Woking

Woking - Kingfield Stadium

Woking Football Club
Kingfield Stadium
Woking
Surrey
GU22 9AA


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HISTORY/FACTS ABOUT THE CARDS:

• Woking Football Club were formed in 1889. The club joined the Surrey League 6 years later and won the league by 1 point. However shortly after the club were in danger of folding due to financial reasons but it all changed when Woking played Bolton Wanderers in the 1st round of the FA Cup having made it through 5 qualifying rounds. Despite losing the away game 5–0, the club made it into the national news. Bolton Wanderers, impressed by the minnows they had defeated, travelled to Woking for a friendly match the following season, which kept the club solvent.
• 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 the following season when, in front of a 71,000 crowd, Woking beat Ilford 3–0 to win 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 plunged to Division Two South of the Isthmian League. It was during that season that former player, Geoff Chapple, was appointed as manager.
• The 1990-91 season saw the club become part of FA Cup folklore. Entering the competition in the Fourth Qualifying Round, they beat three Conference sides to set up a Third Round tie away to West Bromwich Albion. After trailing 1–0 at half time, Woking went on to win 4–2, with Tim Buzaglo scoring a hat-trick. In the Fourth Round, the club was drawn against Everton. The tie was originally going to be played at Woking, though the venue was switched to Everton's home ground, Goodison Park. Woking narrowly lost the match 1–0 to a Kevin Sheedy goal.
• 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.
• Woking won the FA Trophy for the first time in 1994, defeating Runcorn in the final at Wembley; the following season they became only the second club to win back-to-back FA Trophies (after Scarborough in 1976–77), defeating Kidderminster Harriers in the final. A third FA Trophy triumph followed in 1997, with Dagenham & Redbridge the opponents in the final. 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.
• 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.
• Glenn Cockerill took over as manager later in 2002, 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, 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 in the play-off final.
• In the 2018-19 season, Woking beat Tooting & Mitcham 4-0, Kempston Rovers 3-2 and Welling United 1-0 in the FA Cup qualifying rounds to set up league rivals Torquay United in the first round proper. Woking won beat the Devonshire side 0-1 and set up a tie in the second round against League Two side Swindon Town. Woking were again able win 0-1, resulting in a draw against Premier League side Watford FC. Woking exited the competition following a 2-0 loss.
• Woking's main rivals are Aldershot Town for many years, they also have a rivalry with Stevenage.

MY VISITS:

VISIT 1: Woking 3-0 Gillingham 27/7/13 (Pre-Season Friendly)
VISIT 2: Woking 0-1 Aldershot Town 7/8/19

FIRST VISIT TO KINGFIELD:

Woking 3-0 Gillingham
Saturday 27th July 2013
Pre-Season Friendly



I have only been to the Kingfield Stadium the once, which was with Gillingham in some what a bizarre pre-season friendly. Normally with friendlies with Gills, it's usually fairly local Kent sides away and a couple of the big clubs at home, but it was quite bizarre with Woking. Before it got announced, I knew a mate of mine had a soft spot for them due to playing Football Manager and funnily enough, an announcement got made on the website that we arranged a friendly with them away, so I thought sweet, new ground off the list! Luckily I got a lift to Woking, not too long of a drive either, probably about just over an hour. The Kingfield Stadium has 2 stands which are standing, one behind the goal which is a fairly massive stand which is seating, and on the side of the pitch with a few seats. I remember the game fairly well as we didn't play that well. Decided to get a drink at half time, and whilst walking past the dressing room, you could easily hear our former manager Martin 'Mad Dog' Allen having a right go at the players. Apart from the result, it was a good day out at Woking.





2ND VISIT; WOKING 0-1 ALDERSHOT TOWN, LOCAL DERBY 2019:

Woking 0-1 Aldershot Town
Tuesday 7th August 2019
National League



My 2nd visit to the Kingfield came in August 2019. Tonight was my 9th game of the season so far which has included 1 new ground at Faversham Town watching Gillingham in Pre-Season. This one I wanted to do a proper blog on Woking and it was a ground I hadn't visited for a few years now. Whilst checking the fixtures out, this one cropped up and with Gillingham not playing till Saturday, I was toying with the idea of this one, or going to the Erith derby on the Wednesday but after oohing and arrring, I stuck with this one. 2 reasons mainly was of course as I just mentioned, I wanted to update the blog and what better way than to watch a local derby with 2 sides who can't stand each other. So, I left home shortly after half 5, a quick change at London Waterloo and I arrived into Woking at around 7.05. After nearly ending getting lost and going the wrong way, luckily I brought up Google Maps on my phone and quickly turned round! I made it to the ground at 7.30pm. Annoyingly there was a massive queue outside the ground, at first I thought it was for the visitors, only to realise it was to get into the home end. Luckily I was in by 7.40pm and just made kick off. My main aim was to sit in the stand behind the goal, but was out of luck as it was pretty packed, so decided to stand on the terracing on the side of the pitch.

The game itself was woeful, despite it being a local derby. Woking never really turned up and threatened, but Aldershot weren't much better themselves. The only goal of the game came early on at 23 minutes from sloppy defending at the back which saw ex Gill Dean Rance's pass to Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong to strike pass keeper Craig Ross. A good packed Kingfield tonight but sadly the football for me wasn't the best. None the less, still pleased I went and glad to re-visit the Kingfield. After leaving Woking just before 10pm, I got home an hour and a half later.

THE GROUND:

The Kingfield has been the home of Woking since 1922. The capacity holds 6,036 of which 2,500 are seats. It was the temporary home of Hayes and Yeading United from 2011 to 2014. It is also currently the temporary home of Sheerwater FC. Normally segregation is not used for away fans but if it is to be the case, then away supporters are located of the Chris Lane terrace stand and part of the Leslie Gosden Stand behind the goal. Woking railway station is around a 20 minute walk to the ground.






GROUND PHOTOS: