Laithwaite Independent Financial Advisers

Vanarama’s Fanarama! Woking’s wonderful year from the eyes on the terraces

4:31pm, Thu 12th Dec 2019
Woking mega fan Jacob Greenwood offers league sponsors Vanarama his unique take on the year, and his hopes for 2020


We’re at the half-way stage already. Another battle for promotion wasn’t predicted by many, that’s fair to say. Can you stay there?
It would be brilliant if we could, but I can’t help but feel it is a bit of a stretch for a part-time side. That said, you never know what you are going to get with this Woking side and if they can replicate their form from earlier in the season, then there is no reason why not. With the play-off structure now allowing the team in seventh to qualify, you’re always in with half a shout when you’re mid-table and hopefully we can stay in touch.

But the club have had a productive first half of the season before!
We have, in 2017/18 we were in a really strong position around this time of the year and then only won three league games between December and the end of the season. This ended in relegation to the National League South and I think once you’ve been stung like that once, you’re always going to be wary. That said, if Dowse and his side use this as a platform to push on, it could be a really exciting start to 2020.

As one of a handful of part-timers, do the club deserve a bit more credit?
I think we do, but there are benefits being one of the only part-time clubs at this level. If you look at a couple of our best players this season - Josh Casey and Dave Tarpey - they both have day jobs that they don’t want to give up and part-time suits them. I’d much rather have the best part-time players than full-time players that haven’t quite made it elsewhere. The downside is that full-time teams get the chance to train more and don’t have to worry about other jobs.

What will 2020 bring for the club?
Hopefully a strong finish in the league. Whatever happens we need to be at least a National League side next year and once that is secured, the rest of the season is a free hit and we can look forward to another season at this level. We are also hoping to have the plans for a new 9,000-capacity stadium signed off, and that would be great news for the club.

Woking’s player of the season so far?
I’d have to go for Jake Hyde. We all knew he could score goals, but he has really stepped up this season and is a real threat. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was playing at a higher level in the next couple of years.

Cards’ high point?
Personally my highlight was our recent away win against Maidenhead United which was on BT Sport. We only had one win since August going into that game and it felt like we really laid down a marker.

Away days: what one sticks out as your favourite and why?
Maidenhead was great as I mentioned above but our opening day win at Dagenham & Redbridge was also another highlight. It felt great to be back where most fans think we belong and if you compare it to our first away trip of the 18/19 (East Thurrock United) it felt like the club had come a long way. Dagenham are a good side so to come away with a 2-0 win was brilliant.

So for you, why Woking?
It’s something that runs in the family. My grandad started taking me from the age of five and I’ve never really looked back. I was actually the mascot for one of our famous FA Cup games against Millwall in 1996, things have certainly changed a lot since then! l As soon as I was old enough to go without needing a parent or grandparent I bought a season ticket and now it’s just become a way of life.

What makes the club so unique and so special to you?
I think with so many Non-League clubs - it’s all about the people. You meet so many good people around the club and I think it truly attracts people from all walks of life. In some senses it feels like a social club, with the amount of people you know and catch up with at games on a regular basis. If you attend Kingfield on a Saturday you’ll see people of all genders, young and old, from all backgrounds, who are probably polls apart in the ‘real’ world, but put that aside to cheer on their local team on a Saturday - and I think that this makes football, and Woking, special.


The National League’s leasing partner Vanarama have this season launched the Club Reward scheme to help fans back their club’s budget. Every time a fan takes out a brand new van lease with Vanarama or a brand new car lease with Motorama their club will earn £100 and you will receive £30 cashback!

For the latest van leasing deals head to Vanarama.
For the latest car leasing deals head to Motorama.

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