Woking FC's National League season has begun under tumultuous circumstances, with the club sitting 23rd after a difficult opening six games. The Cardinals’ campaign has been disrupted by managerial complications forcing the club to act fast after Jermain Defoe's departure just two weeks before the season kicked off.
How has Woking's season started?
Woking have managed just one win and one draw from their first six National League fixtures, leaving them with four points and a negative six goal difference. Their recent form reads LDLWL, and they currently find themselves twelve points behind league leaders Boreham Wood. This slow start follows a period of significant upheaval in the dugout. Jermain Defoe, who joined the club in March to manage the final six games of last season and secure a 10th place finish, left his post unexpectedly in the summer. The club stated, "The Cardinals’ campaign has begun under tumultuous circumstances, with managerial complications causing major disruption to the club’s pre-season preparations."
Who is leading Woking now?
With Defoe's exit, the club turned to an interim management duo. Jermain Hyde, who joined Woking for a playing spell in 2018 and returned in 2025 for two appearances and a coaching role, has stepped up. Hyde came through the Swindon Town academy and made over 400 appearances in England and Scotland. He is assisted by Craig Ross, a former Woking goalkeeper who made over 150 appearances for the club between 2018 and 2023. Ross previously played for Eastbourne Borough and Whitehawk, where he featured in their 2015 National League South play-off final loss to Boreham Wood. Fans can view the full current squad online.
What is Woking FC's history?
Founded in 1887, Woking FC has a rich history in non-league football. The club joined the Isthmian League in 1911, 24 years after its formation, and remained there until earning promotion to the Football Conference in 1992. Woking spent the majority of the next three decades in the fifth tier, recording five consecutive top five finishes in the Conference Premier from 1993 to 1998. Their golden era included three FA Trophy wins in four seasons from 1994 to 1997. After a period away, they achieved promotion back to the National League via the play-offs in 2019 and have been at this level since 2020. Their best recent finish was fourth in the 2022/23 season, though they lost 2-1 at home to Bromley in the play-off Eliminator round.
Where do Woking play their home games?
The club's home is the Laithwaite Community Stadium, formerly known as Kingfield Stadium, which has been their base since 1922. The ground has a capacity of just over 6,000 and consists of two all-seater stands alongside several terrace sections. Away supporters are typically housed in the Chris Lane terrace, a roofless stand. The club had previously drafted plans to build a new 9,000-capacity stadium on the Kingfield grounds, but the proposal was rejected in December 2021. Supporters can check the latest standings to follow the team's progress from their historic home.
What is Woking's connection to Worthing?
This season marks the first time Woking and Worthing have met in league competition. Their only previous competitive encounter was in the 1970/71 FA Cup First Qualifying Round, a match Woking won 2-0. The two clubs first faced each other in a Boxing Day friendly back in 1949. The distance between the Laithwaite Community Stadium and Worthing's Sussex Transport Community Stadium is 43.4 miles. With the club looking to climb the table, their upcoming fixtures will be vital for the interim management team to build momentum and move away from the relegation zone.
