https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:59:07 +0000 MyBB https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=14254 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:00:59 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=14254
The Cards were four points off the play-off places in mid-December, but have slipped to 17th, just five points above the relegation zone.

Former AFC Wimbledon and Notts County boss Ardley joined Woking in December 2024 with the club 19th in the National League.

He improved results as they finished 15th in the division last season, and led them to a promising first half to the current campaign.

But just two league wins since mid-December - including an unconvincing late victory at bottom-of-the-table Truro City earlier this month - had seen the club stutter.

His final game in charge was a 1-0 loss at National League North side Marine on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

Assistant manager Simon Bassey has also been relieved of his duties by the club with Craig Ross, Jake Hyde and Dale Gorman taking interim charge of the team.

"We've reached the conclusion that it's time to make a change," chairman Todd Johnson told the club website., external

"Ultimately, this is a results-oriented business, and the results did not match our ambitions.

"Our focus is on building a positive, club-oriented, winning culture.

"We believe in this group of players and in creating the right environment for them to play with confidence, intent and ambition."]]>
The Cards were four points off the play-off places in mid-December, but have slipped to 17th, just five points above the relegation zone.

Former AFC Wimbledon and Notts County boss Ardley joined Woking in December 2024 with the club 19th in the National League.

He improved results as they finished 15th in the division last season, and led them to a promising first half to the current campaign.

But just two league wins since mid-December - including an unconvincing late victory at bottom-of-the-table Truro City earlier this month - had seen the club stutter.

His final game in charge was a 1-0 loss at National League North side Marine on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

Assistant manager Simon Bassey has also been relieved of his duties by the club with Craig Ross, Jake Hyde and Dale Gorman taking interim charge of the team.

"We've reached the conclusion that it's time to make a change," chairman Todd Johnson told the club website., external

"Ultimately, this is a results-oriented business, and the results did not match our ambitions.

"Our focus is on building a positive, club-oriented, winning culture.

"We believe in this group of players and in creating the right environment for them to play with confidence, intent and ambition."]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=13475 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:05:15 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=13475
The 52-year-old replaces Michael Doyle, who was sacked on Sunday with the Cards languishing 19th in the National League.

Ex-Coventry and Sheffield United midfielder Doyle was appointed in December 2023 and helped the club finish 17th last season.

But Woking have won just five league games this season and are without a win in four games. They were comprehensively beaten 4-0 at Gateshead in Doyle's final match in charge on Saturday.

Ardley has been out of work since he was sacked after 34 games as manager of York City in February.

"The diversity of his journey illustrates his flexibility, his promotions and play-off achievements tell us that he can take us to where we hope to be one day," director of football Jody Brown told the club's website., external

Ardley has 'values wanted' at Woking
"His battles with relegation and team rebuilding processes are all invaluable experiences that he'll have learned from. Neal has the values we want in our head coach."

Ardley scored 26 goals in 301 appearances for Wimbledon FC as a player before the club moved to Milton Keynes to form MK Dons.

The former midfielder also represented Watford, Cardiff City and Millwall in a 16-year playing career.

After taking over as manager at AFC Wimbledon in 2012, Ardley steered the club to League Two safety on the final day of his first season in charge and to promotion to League One in 2015-16.

He also had stints in charge of Notts County and Solihull Moors, leading both clubs to a National League promotion final but losing on both occasions.

Woking are in the process of being taken over by a group led by former Dagenham & Redbridge vice chairman Todd Johnson.]]>
The 52-year-old replaces Michael Doyle, who was sacked on Sunday with the Cards languishing 19th in the National League.

Ex-Coventry and Sheffield United midfielder Doyle was appointed in December 2023 and helped the club finish 17th last season.

But Woking have won just five league games this season and are without a win in four games. They were comprehensively beaten 4-0 at Gateshead in Doyle's final match in charge on Saturday.

Ardley has been out of work since he was sacked after 34 games as manager of York City in February.

"The diversity of his journey illustrates his flexibility, his promotions and play-off achievements tell us that he can take us to where we hope to be one day," director of football Jody Brown told the club's website., external

Ardley has 'values wanted' at Woking
"His battles with relegation and team rebuilding processes are all invaluable experiences that he'll have learned from. Neal has the values we want in our head coach."

Ardley scored 26 goals in 301 appearances for Wimbledon FC as a player before the club moved to Milton Keynes to form MK Dons.

The former midfielder also represented Watford, Cardiff City and Millwall in a 16-year playing career.

After taking over as manager at AFC Wimbledon in 2012, Ardley steered the club to League Two safety on the final day of his first season in charge and to promotion to League One in 2015-16.

He also had stints in charge of Notts County and Solihull Moors, leading both clubs to a National League promotion final but losing on both occasions.

Woking are in the process of being taken over by a group led by former Dagenham & Redbridge vice chairman Todd Johnson.]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=13465 Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:07:31 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=13465
They are currently 19th in the National League - one point above the relegation zone - after three defeats in their past four games.

Former Coventry and Sheffield United midfielder Doyle was appointed in December 2023 and helped Woking finish 17th last season.

Assistant manager Ben Turner has also been sacked.

"We thank them both for their contribution to the club, in particular last season in helping the club avoid relegation," read a Woking statement.

"Plans are in place to move forward as quickly and efficiently as possible."

Woking have been in the top flight of non-league football since 2019-20 and two years ago reached the play-offs before losing to Bromley.

The club are set to be sold to US businessman Todd Johnson's Cardinal Football Group.

Shareholders voted in favour of the takeover deal at a meeting this month.


It feels like he's been fighting a losing battle for quite a while now. You look at the league form – two wins in 17 – Michael would know that simply isn't good enough.

The fans have been growing frustrated with those results, the style of play and the frequent line-up changes.

But I have to credit Michael for the job he did at the back end of last season, keeping them up on the final day.

I feel action has been taken at the right time, with Woking still outside the relegation zone - there's still more than half the league season left.]]>
They are currently 19th in the National League - one point above the relegation zone - after three defeats in their past four games.

Former Coventry and Sheffield United midfielder Doyle was appointed in December 2023 and helped Woking finish 17th last season.

Assistant manager Ben Turner has also been sacked.

"We thank them both for their contribution to the club, in particular last season in helping the club avoid relegation," read a Woking statement.

"Plans are in place to move forward as quickly and efficiently as possible."

Woking have been in the top flight of non-league football since 2019-20 and two years ago reached the play-offs before losing to Bromley.

The club are set to be sold to US businessman Todd Johnson's Cardinal Football Group.

Shareholders voted in favour of the takeover deal at a meeting this month.


It feels like he's been fighting a losing battle for quite a while now. You look at the league form – two wins in 17 – Michael would know that simply isn't good enough.

The fans have been growing frustrated with those results, the style of play and the frequent line-up changes.

But I have to credit Michael for the job he did at the back end of last season, keeping them up on the final day.

I feel action has been taken at the right time, with Woking still outside the relegation zone - there's still more than half the league season left.]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=13190 Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:08:53 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=13190
A £600,000 loan from owner Drew Volpe's parents has given the Cards a lifeline to begin the new season next month.

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, Volpe revealed he had invested "over £3.425m" in the club since taking over in 2021.

When asked if the club would now be in administration without the loan from his parents, Volpe said: "Yep, 100%".

"The bottom line is I'm not made of money, so I couldn't keep on doing this for a fourth year straight," he added.

"Between tax stuff, insurance, some other liabilities, the numbers add up real fast – to a scary, scary degree.

"Once it's in your veins it's hard to stop, you want to keep chasing that promotion - but I realise now I can't keep doing it. I don't want to be eating out of a dumpster outside of my apartment."


The Cards are due to begin the new season away at Altrincham on Saturday, 10 August.

Volpe said the loan from his parents would ensure the team could start the league season, when money would begin coming in from gate sales on matchdays.

But Volpe said he was now more confident a deal could be reached for new owners to rescue the club after making "great progress" with takeover talks.

"Obviously we're still bringing on new investment, which should be happening in the next couple of weeks, but at this moment we are fine," he added.

"It's absolutely been sleepless nights, a lot of worry, but for now we're safe.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't dire straits until [we got] the money into the account.

"The reality of it, is that the club's going to be sold for probably £1 - based on the liabilities that we have, the money I sent over will be able to pay off almost all of that and then we'll have games and money will be coming in."

'A systematic failure from all angles'
Volpe and his business partner John Katz took over the club in 2021.

A 15th-place finish in the National League in 2021-22 was followed by a promotion push that ended in fourth place behind Wrexham, Notts County and Chesterfield in 2022-23, with Woking beaten by Bromley in the play-off eliminator.

He conceded that it had "probably not" been wise to spend "a lot" to compete with the likes of former National League sides Notts County and Wrexham, who had much higher budgets.

Last season, the team regressed to end the campaign 17th.

Woking announced in June that Katz had stepped down from his role as chief executive officer but would remain on the board of directors.

They said Katz, who previously managed the club's women's team, would also continue in his position as football secretary., external

Volpe says it is a "systematic failure from all angles" that has led to the club's perilous financial position and that entering administration would represent a "catastrophic failure" to himself and Katz.

"I think we had higher expectations than we should have had in terms of commercial revenue and also in terms of making a run in the FA Cup or FA Trophy - those are very important to covering your projective losses," he said.

"And we didn't have that this past year, we had basically nothing.

"It's hard to say we're not guilty of that [overspending] given where we are."

BBC Radio Surrey approached Katz but he did not wish to comment.]]>
A £600,000 loan from owner Drew Volpe's parents has given the Cards a lifeline to begin the new season next month.

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, Volpe revealed he had invested "over £3.425m" in the club since taking over in 2021.

When asked if the club would now be in administration without the loan from his parents, Volpe said: "Yep, 100%".

"The bottom line is I'm not made of money, so I couldn't keep on doing this for a fourth year straight," he added.

"Between tax stuff, insurance, some other liabilities, the numbers add up real fast – to a scary, scary degree.

"Once it's in your veins it's hard to stop, you want to keep chasing that promotion - but I realise now I can't keep doing it. I don't want to be eating out of a dumpster outside of my apartment."


The Cards are due to begin the new season away at Altrincham on Saturday, 10 August.

Volpe said the loan from his parents would ensure the team could start the league season, when money would begin coming in from gate sales on matchdays.

But Volpe said he was now more confident a deal could be reached for new owners to rescue the club after making "great progress" with takeover talks.

"Obviously we're still bringing on new investment, which should be happening in the next couple of weeks, but at this moment we are fine," he added.

"It's absolutely been sleepless nights, a lot of worry, but for now we're safe.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't dire straits until [we got] the money into the account.

"The reality of it, is that the club's going to be sold for probably £1 - based on the liabilities that we have, the money I sent over will be able to pay off almost all of that and then we'll have games and money will be coming in."

'A systematic failure from all angles'
Volpe and his business partner John Katz took over the club in 2021.

A 15th-place finish in the National League in 2021-22 was followed by a promotion push that ended in fourth place behind Wrexham, Notts County and Chesterfield in 2022-23, with Woking beaten by Bromley in the play-off eliminator.

He conceded that it had "probably not" been wise to spend "a lot" to compete with the likes of former National League sides Notts County and Wrexham, who had much higher budgets.

Last season, the team regressed to end the campaign 17th.

Woking announced in June that Katz had stepped down from his role as chief executive officer but would remain on the board of directors.

They said Katz, who previously managed the club's women's team, would also continue in his position as football secretary., external

Volpe says it is a "systematic failure from all angles" that has led to the club's perilous financial position and that entering administration would represent a "catastrophic failure" to himself and Katz.

"I think we had higher expectations than we should have had in terms of commercial revenue and also in terms of making a run in the FA Cup or FA Trophy - those are very important to covering your projective losses," he said.

"And we didn't have that this past year, we had basically nothing.

"It's hard to say we're not guilty of that [overspending] given where we are."

BBC Radio Surrey approached Katz but he did not wish to comment.]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=12807 Mon, 18 Dec 2023 06:36:41 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=12807
The 42-year-old was previously assistant head coach at Notts County and Forest Green Rovers.

And he has left a job with Portsmouth's academy to replace Darrell Sarll, who was sacked on 13 November.

"We had the option to be safe or to be bold, and we took the decision to be bold with this appointment," said chief executive John Katz.

"Michael is a young, ambitious, and dynamic manager, and our decision to be bold represents what this club needs to regain - ambition and dynamism.

"We believe in his track record of success in the Football League, how he wants his Woking team to play, and his plan to move the club forward."

Dublin-born Doyle made 866 senior appearances during his playing career, which also included spells at Celtic and Notts County.

He spent a season on loan at Leeds United in 2009-10 and helped them win promotion from League One.

Doyle has agreed a contract to the end of the 2024-25 season and interim boss Ian Dyer will remain at Woking as his number two, along with goalkeeping coach Marlon Beresford.

Woking are 17th in National League following Saturday's 2-1 victory at Dorking Wanderers, a game Doyle watched from the stands.

"It was an important result first and foremost after the loss in midweek. There's plenty to build on now going into next week and through the remainder of the season," said Doyle.

"Woking is a great club with a rich history. I'm looking forward to working with Ian, the backroom staff, players and the people behind the scenes."]]>
The 42-year-old was previously assistant head coach at Notts County and Forest Green Rovers.

And he has left a job with Portsmouth's academy to replace Darrell Sarll, who was sacked on 13 November.

"We had the option to be safe or to be bold, and we took the decision to be bold with this appointment," said chief executive John Katz.

"Michael is a young, ambitious, and dynamic manager, and our decision to be bold represents what this club needs to regain - ambition and dynamism.

"We believe in his track record of success in the Football League, how he wants his Woking team to play, and his plan to move the club forward."

Dublin-born Doyle made 866 senior appearances during his playing career, which also included spells at Celtic and Notts County.

He spent a season on loan at Leeds United in 2009-10 and helped them win promotion from League One.

Doyle has agreed a contract to the end of the 2024-25 season and interim boss Ian Dyer will remain at Woking as his number two, along with goalkeeping coach Marlon Beresford.

Woking are 17th in National League following Saturday's 2-1 victory at Dorking Wanderers, a game Doyle watched from the stands.

"It was an important result first and foremost after the loss in midweek. There's plenty to build on now going into next week and through the remainder of the season," said Doyle.

"Woking is a great club with a rich history. I'm looking forward to working with Ian, the backroom staff, players and the people behind the scenes."]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=12730 Mon, 13 Nov 2023 17:10:00 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=12730
The National League side are 14th in the table after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Oxford City.

Sarll, 40, was appointed in March 2022 and guided Woking to fourth last year.

"The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Darren for one of the club's most successful seasons in recent history," Woking said in a statement.

"We wish him well in his future endeavours both on and off the pitch."

Sarll, who spent his entire playing days in non-league football, previously managed in the English Football League with Stevenage and was in charge of fellow non-league side Yeovil before moving to Woking.

The Cardinals' poor run comes after they only lost twice in their opening 10 games this season.

Assistant manager Ian Dyer, who also had temporary charge following the departure of Alan Dowson in 2022, will lead the side for the next two fixtures which are both at home to Oldham and Chesterfield.]]>
The National League side are 14th in the table after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Oxford City.

Sarll, 40, was appointed in March 2022 and guided Woking to fourth last year.

"The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Darren for one of the club's most successful seasons in recent history," Woking said in a statement.

"We wish him well in his future endeavours both on and off the pitch."

Sarll, who spent his entire playing days in non-league football, previously managed in the English Football League with Stevenage and was in charge of fellow non-league side Yeovil before moving to Woking.

The Cardinals' poor run comes after they only lost twice in their opening 10 games this season.

Assistant manager Ian Dyer, who also had temporary charge following the departure of Alan Dowson in 2022, will lead the side for the next two fixtures which are both at home to Oldham and Chesterfield.]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=11424 Mon, 06 Jun 2022 18:25:50 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=11424
The 26-year-old has made 16 appearances since joining the Cards in December last year.

Woking finished the season 15th in the league on 53 points.

Anderson played in the Football League for Peterborough United and Bradford City before moving to Aldershot Town in December 2020.

"Jermaine is a really interesting one to me because I saw him play at such a young age at such a high level and he has been extremely unfortunate over the years with injury," manager Darren Sarll told the club's website.

"I still feel and don't believe we should be giving up on the potential that Jermaine has always had. He is a player of immense physicality, a super athlete, and a good technician.

"I think if he can carry on working to his strengths, which I believe are his power and his pace, then we still have a Football League player within our squad."]]>
The 26-year-old has made 16 appearances since joining the Cards in December last year.

Woking finished the season 15th in the league on 53 points.

Anderson played in the Football League for Peterborough United and Bradford City before moving to Aldershot Town in December 2020.

"Jermaine is a really interesting one to me because I saw him play at such a young age at such a high level and he has been extremely unfortunate over the years with injury," manager Darren Sarll told the club's website.

"I still feel and don't believe we should be giving up on the potential that Jermaine has always had. He is a player of immense physicality, a super athlete, and a good technician.

"I think if he can carry on working to his strengths, which I believe are his power and his pace, then we still have a Football League player within our squad."]]>