NL 2025/26 Preview: Woking

7th July 2025 9:58 pm

Woking FC 2025/26 Season Preview: A New Era Underway

After a turbulent period off the pitch and a steadying of the ship under new ownership, Woking enter the 2025/26 National League campaign looking to build on last season’s mid-table finish and a strong late-season run. An average attendance of 2,322 (9th in the division) reflected the supporters’ commitment through uncertainty, while a semi-final run in the FA Trophy hinted at potential. A 15th-place finish was respectable in context, with Harry Beautyman leading the scoring charts with 10 goals and Dale Gorman proving influential with 8 assists before injury struck. Now, with new leadership structures, strategic signings, and a clear vision, Woking approach this season with optimism balanced by realism.

Season 2024/25 review

Final position: 15th
Average attendance: 2,322 (9^th)
FA Cup: 1^st Round (lost at home v Cambridge Utd, 0-1)
FA Trophy: Semi Final (lost away v Aldershot Town, 2-1)
Top scorer: Harry Beautyman, 11 goals
Key player: Dale Gorman, 2 goals, 8 assists

Summer Business and Off-Pitch Activity

Chairman Todd Johnson’s leadership and the Cardinal Football Group’s ownership have initiated structural changes to professionalise the club, focusing on sustainability and improving the supporter experience. The Laithwaite Community Stadium has seen significant investment with a complete pitch renovation under a new full-time groundskeeper, addressing last season’s biggest operational concern. Plans are in motion to adjust home and away fan allocations to improve matchday atmospheres, expand fan zones for visiting supporters, and enhance food offerings, ensuring supporters feel valued while also increasing non-football revenue through venue hire initiatives. The appointment of Robin Byrne as Managing Director signifies further commitment to sustainable growth and modernisation, while additions like Head of Analysis Kevin Rawlinson signal an analytical approach to recruitment and match preparation moving forward.

Looking ahead 2025/26

Under Neal Ardley, Woking are shaping into a disciplined, methodical outfit, blending the manager’s trademark organisation with a desire to play on the front foot when the moment is right. Ardley’s experience at this level ensures the Cards remain difficult to beat, while his steady recruitment and emphasis on defensive structure have provided a platform for improvement on last season’s mid-table finish. With a core of proven senior players like Beautyman, Effiong and Jaaskelainen anchoring the group, and a crop of energetic younger signings eager to impress, Woking’s approach under Ardley looks geared towards building a side capable of competing with the division’s best without sacrificing solidity. The balance between pragmatism and ambition under his watch may prove crucial as the Cards aim to turn their upward trajectory into a genuine push for the play-offs.

Squad News and Signings

New signings: Jack Turner (Queen’s Park), Luke Hall (Worksop Town), Aaron Drewe (Oxford City), Craig Ross (Maidenhead), Jake Hyde (Chelmsford), Caleb Richards (Kidderminster), Chinwike Okoli (Millwall), Tim Akinola (Gateshead)
Retained: Timi Odusina, Jamie Andrews, Dale Gorman, Harry Beautyman, Sam Ashford, Joshua Osude, Inih Effiong, Matt Ward, Tariq Hinds, Aiden O’Brien, Will Jaaskelainen, Tunji Akinola
Released / left: Ben Wynter, Dion Kelly-Evans, Jacob Jones, Ollie Webber, Dennon Lewis (Dorking Wanderers), Jermaine Anderson, Rohan Ince, Reece Grego-Cox, Matt Robinson (Maidenhead United), Charlie Sayers, Lewis Walker (Braintree Town), Dan Moss (Rochdale).
Loan players returned to parent club: Jokubas Mazionis, Sha’mar Lawson, Frank Vincent and Adam Chicksen.

Woking’s recruitment has been methodical and aligned with a “right character, right fit” approach under Director of Football, Jody Brown. The squad retains key figures like Harry Beautyman, who led the scoring charts last season, and influential midfielder Dale Gorman (though his ACL injury is a concern for the first half of the season). The re-signing of reliable, versatile Tunji Akinola further cements defensive stability.

Incoming signings balance experience and potential:

Jack Turner (Queen’s Park) brings goals and energy from midfield.
Luke Hall (Worksop Town) offers creativity and technical quality.
Aaron Drewe (Oxford City), Caleb Richards (Kidderminster) and Chinwike Okoli (Millwall) add defensive flexibility.
Craig Ross and Jake Hyde return in hybrid player-coach roles, boosting dressing room standards and squad depth.

These additions, combined with the continuity of Will Jaaskelainen in goal after a standout season, position the Cards with a more balanced, competitive squad, though Gorman’s absence will require tactical adjustment in midfield creativity and ball progression.

The recruitment strategy reflects a clear commitment to balancing immediate needs with a longer-term vision of sustainable squad building.

Meanwhile, Tim Akinola, who we picked as a player to watch, has joined from Gateshead.

Prediction

Despite a strong finish last season, Woking may find themselves in another transitional year as they adjust to tactical tweaks, the integration of new players, and the loss of Gorman’s influence. The strengthened spine and pitch improvements should aid performances at home, while Jaaskelainen’s presence in goal offers confidence in tight contests.

Woking lost 14 league games last season, the same number as two sides who finished inside the top-7 but 19 draws — the most in the division — held them back from being a challenger; we think that could change this season.

The Cards’ recruitment has been shrewd and momentum appears to be building at the right time. A strong Trophy run could accompany a season that sees Woking re-establish themselves as one of the National League’s upwardly mobile clubs, with a clear identity, a competitive squad, and a fanbase reconnecting with a club moving in the right direction.

6th — an experienced core, retention of key players and a swifter integration of new signings than expected; Woking can be a dark horse once more.