retired_brinker317

For Chapters 1 to 9, and an adventure in Slovakian Football, see here - and no prizes for guessing the band behind this title either

Chapter 10 - Welcome Home, Young Man

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>

Non-League Paper - Front Page - Sunday 19/8/07

'Fairway collects his Cards'

"After sacking manager Glenn Cockerill early last week, Woking have acted quickly to appoint a new manager. Stuart Fairway is little known in England - although he does hail from these shores - as he has been managing in Slovakia for the past four years.

Fairway, 39, managed Slovakian minnows Bac , leading the club from the Second Division, into the top flight and then on into Europe - a fantastic 5-0 victory over French giants Lyon making headlines across Europe.

"I had the chance to move back to England at Christmas, but I felt the time - and the jobs - were wrong" Fairway said. "Woking approached me at a crucial time in Slovakia - at Bac we had just got the season started, and were doing fairly well - just starting in Europe. It's a big, big change of course - but I felt it was a change I had to make".

Woking Chairman Chris Ingram said; "Stuart knows full well the financial constraints at the club - though we are £1.2 million in debt, as has been reported widely, the board have managed to raise some transfer funds, and I know Stuart is looking forward to his job. We need to stay in the Conference this season and build for the future, and with his reputation and experience, I'm convinced Stuart is the man for the job"

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Fairway's move came as a bit of a suprise to many - not least Bac, who initially threatened to hold Fairway to his contract, until the Englishman pleaded his case to Chairman Albert. Things had not been going well in the early part of the season - some indifferent performances and new players not gelling as they should persuading Fairway to move back to England. Of course, some people wouldn't be happy - the Bac supporters angrily surrounding the Stadium as he left for the final time - but that time had come, and the move was sealed with a press conference at Kingfield on Monday morning.

retired_bbcarr

how could you do this to us, d_s? how could you take away our source of puns? shame on you :p

but good luck with woking :thup:

retired_pahuja_satish

You're right Terk: Woking hardly scores high on the pun-o-meter does it?

retired_brinker317

I'll have to see what I can come up with on the Pun front - I can think of one or two already, but you'll have to wait and see


A neat, tidy and well-equipped ground, Kingfield has seen the facilities but not the team in recent years. The financial problems though are plain to see - seriously in debt, with an immediate concern on Fairway's mind the wage bill. At Bac, he was well known for paying low wages, but with high bonus rates for success. At Woking, that will be a lot more difficult to implement - the wage ceiling already breached, and work certainly needed to secure the clubs' future in the long term. Despite that, the board had rustled up some transfer funds - £22,000 available to bolster the squad if need be.

Meeting up for the first time on Monday Afternoon with his squad - 32 strong - and staff - an Assistant in Matt Crossley , coaches Brian Finn and Ian Burns , Physio Marc Martin and Scout Stephen Hall , Fairway was instantly impressed at the spirit of the squad. 11th in the League, they had been in midtable throughout Glenn Cockerill's reign at the club, and now needed the extra impetus to make the step to the next level. Before he could even think of making any new signings to achieve that though, Fairway would settle down to read Crossley's assessments on the individuals currently contracted to Woking FC.

Goalkeepers

1 - Ashley Bayes - England - 35
30 - Matthew Gregorie - England - 23

Bayes has been at Woking for six seasons, and is now winding down his professional career. He still has a lot to offer though, and a lot of experience in the game. Gregorie joined from Hayes in January - a talented player, he lacks the experience of Bayes, and needs to learn his trade from the veteran.

Defenders

2 - Ben Townsend - England - 25 - DR
4 - Calum Angus - England - 21 - D/MR
5 - Jonathan Boardman - England - 26 - DC
6 - Gary McDonald - England - 27 - SW/DC
12 - Chris Turner - Northern Ireland - 20 - DR
14 - Joe McNab - England/USA - 26 - DLC
22 - Stuart Sangster - Scotland - 22 - DMR
24 - Narada - England - 26 - DL
25 - Neil Sharp - England - DC - 29
27 - Anthony Wright - England - DL - 21
29 - Chris Judge - England - DR - 17
30 - Andrew Wells - England - DR - 23

For the past six seasons Townsend has been almost unshakeable at Right Back - however, this could soon change. On a high wage, he is wanted by other clubs, and with the other options in the squad, may be a prudent sale. At Left back however the choice is more clear-cut - ex Arsenal man Narada is a class above many at this level, and has become a cornerstone of the side. Sangster though has good claims to the left back spot - strong in the tackle, though has seen little action since his £5000 arrival. In the middle Boardman and McDonald is a very strong partnership, and in McNab we have an adequate backup. Young Turner and Judge have talent but little experience, while Wright - a £7000 signing from Hayes, Angus and Wells are probably not good enough to earn regular football.

Midfielders

3 - Cavell Coo - England - 23 - D/AMFL
7 - Rob O'Brien - England - 26 - MRC
8 - Scott Canham - England - 32 - MRC
9 - Mat Bailey - England - 22 - FR
13 - Jamie Baugley - England - 23 - ML
16 - Steven Gilbert - England - 19 - MRLC
17 - Andrew Teague - England - 20 - MRC
18 - Jonathan Wallis - England - 20 - MC
21 - Matt Crowell - Wales - 23 - MC (U21 Caps)
23 - Lee Frecklington - England - 21 - MC
32 - Jonjo Dickman - England - 25 - MC
33 - David Galbraith - England - 23 - AML

Despite having one of the best names in football, Coo has struggled when given his chance - though still has time and versatility on his hands. Instead Galbraith and Baugley regularly fight it out for the left flank role, with O'Brien the best option on the right. In the middle, Canham has been there and done it all, and with talented youngster Frecklington a recent arrival - as well as ex-Brighton man Gilbert , Teague and the exciting Wallis there are no problems in the centre. Bailey, Dickman and Crowell are probably not up to scratch however.

Attackers

10 - Amos Foyewa - Nigeria/England - 25 - SC
11 - Thomas Ward - Ireland - 22 - SC
15 - Asa Beard - England - 24 - SC
19 - Lee Collymore - England - 20 - SC
26 - Ian Pulman - England - 22 - SC
28 - Chris Giles - England - 25

Ex Bournemouth star Foyewa is the best of the attackers, carrying a lot of the goalscoring responsibility. Alongside him, young Collymore and new boy Giles both have claims, with Beard - currently injured, and Pulman more backup players. Ward is not good enough for this level, and is transfer listed after disapointing since his move from Charlton.

Fairway acted quickly - by Tuesday, Asa Beard, Jonjo Dickman, Calum Angus, Anthony Wright, Andrew Wells, Matt Crowell, Thomas Ward and Mat Bailey were on the transfer-list, and on their way out of Kingfield. He had mainly gone with his assistant's reccomendations, but with the notable addition of Beard, a player who hadn't impressed Fairway with his lax attitude to timekeeping at their initial meeting.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
Woking News & Mail - Football - Thursday 23/8/07

'Bids accepted for trio'

"Woking's new manager Stuart Fairway has wasted little time in making a mark on the Cards squad - accepting offers for Matt Crowell, Mat Bailey and Ben Townsend within his first few days at the club.

Young midfielder Crowell is set to join Conference side Yeovil, while winger Bailey is set to join Canvey Island. Though the club have refused to confirm any fees, the News & Mail understands that both deals commanded a small, nominal price.

Meanwhile fullback Townsend - a regular under Glenn Cockerill - is set to join Leigh RMI for a fee of £1000. The defender - a player well liked at Kingfield - told the News & Mail that he had long been considering his future at the club, and when Fairway admitted that he wanted to trim the wage bill, took the opportunity to ask his manager for a transfer. With Leigh longtime admirers, a deal has been quickly agreed, and Townsend is set to leave before the weekend."

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

With both Bailey and Townsend moving on before the weekend, Fairway decided against making any further additions to his squad ahead of his first game in charge. With local rivals Aldershot in town, the game would be a real baptism of fire - and with only Sharp unavailable, an almost full-strength side for Fairway to choose from.

Woking v Aldershot Town - League

Unavailable

Neil Sharp - Injured (Groin, 1 Day)

With no fewer than four players handed their first starts of the season - three of those earning their first Woking starts - Fairway's changes were plain to see. He had decided to go with a 4-4-2 formation, but one that a certain Slovakian outfit had great success using. The highest attendance of the season - just below 2000 - had turned out, and after a photocall on the pitch for the new manager, saw their side attack right from the off. Woking surged forward, and on 3 minutes Lee Frecklington announced his arrival to the Kingfield faithful with a powerful effort from distance that flew inches wide. On 15, Woking went one better - a Narada cross deflected towards his own goal by Gardiner, only for Lee Collymore to pounce, poking home his first goal of the season from close range. It set the stage for a Cards dominated first half - and indeed game. On 29 Lee Frecklington would have his moment of glory, picking up on a Canham pass before beating 'keeper Ashwood with a real beauty - curling the ball into the roof of the net from fully 30 Yards to claim a magnificent debut goal. The Woking party was in full swing, and as Aldershot had little to offer, the second half started in similar fashion - Collymore heading on a Frecklington pass - defender Jim Rodwell slipping - and Amos Foyewa nipping in to head the loose ball beyond Ashwood from close range. Sangster came close to adding a fourth for Woking before, on 68, Amos Foyewa met Canham's crisp pass with a firm, low drive - 4-0, and all over bar the shouting. A knock to Ashley Bayes in injury time took the shine off what had been a simply stunning Woking performance - and what a result for a first game in charge.

Woking 4 - Aldershot 0 (Collymore, Frecklington, Foyewa 2)

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes (Replaced 90 Gregorie), Turner, Narada, Boardman, MacDonald*, Sangster, Baguley, Canham, Frecklington, Collymore, Foyewa

Woking Position After Game; 6th

retired_embartl

It seems to be "Woking" out alright so far :thup:

shannon2007

A better title would have been, 'No Turning Bac' :p

But anyway, good luck with the new club and your longest ever story iirc.

retired_brinker317

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peacemaker7:
A better title would have been, 'No Turning Bac' :p

But anyway, good luck with the new club and your longest ever story iirc. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No Turning Bac, Bac Home, Bac For Good - considered them all

Yep, I'd say it is my longest ever story now too - something I was aiming for when I began.

Brian, Crossman, PM - Cheers :thup:

retired_brinker317

With Neil Sharp returning from his groin injury on Monday morning, Fairway would - pending further injuries - have a fully fit first team squad to select from for his second game in charge. Weather he could justify changing a side who had won in such style though...

Tuesday - and further departures from an otherwise very upbeat Kingfield fold. As expected, Matt Crowell made the switch to Yeovil - but Fairway would also accept £2000 bids from both Morecambe and Dover for Jonjo Dickman .

The Durham-born midfielder very quickly agreed terms - moving to Dover on Wednesday morning. Satisfied with his transfer dealings, Fairway then decided to look at adding to the squad. Scout Stephen Hall would be given licence to roam the country looking for talent - fitting only two criteria. Available, and Cheap - nothing else would really matter.

Woking v Burton Albion - League

As expected, Fairway elected to make no changes to his side - Bayes recovering from the knock that forced him off after a good night's sleep, and Sharp left out of the matchday squad after his return from injury. The game, however, began slowly - with only an enforced change on 19 for Woking - Sangster off injured - and a Canham drive before the interval. Though Woking looked to step up a gear after the break, it would be Burton who had the first real chance of the Second Half - Talbot's angled drive well-held by 'keeper Bayes. With the game drifting, Woking looked to seek the winner - sub Giles fired over the top on 78, before a final breakthrough just three minutes later. On 81 Rob O'Brien put a Narada cross back into the middle - and Amos Foyewa found himself unmarked to smash the ball home from close range. Woking closed up - and held on, with skipper MacDonald steadying the ship after a late Burton rally. 2 Games - 2 Wins...

Woking 1 - Burton 0 (Foyewa)

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Narada, Boardman, MacDonald*, Sangster (Replaced 19 O'Brien), Baguley, Canham, Frecklington, Collymore (Replaced 45 Giles), Foyewa

Woking Position After Game; 5th

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Halifax | | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 2 | +12 | 13 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Darlington | | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 13 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Farnborough | | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 13 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Forest Green | | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 10 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | WOKING | | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 10 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Macclesfield | | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 10 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Bury | | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 10 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Nuneaton Borough | | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 9 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Kettering | | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 8 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Leigh RMI | | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 6 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Scarborough | | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 10 | +1 | 6 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Morecambe | | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 6 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Shrewsbury | | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 6 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Kidderminster | | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 5 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Barnet | | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 5 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Burton Albion | | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Southport | | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 12 | -6 | 4 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Yeovil | | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 3 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Telford | | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 2 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Canvey Island | | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 2 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Aldershot | | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 1 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Enfield | | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 13 | -11 | 1 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_bliss123

Title is only half as good as mine :thdn:

KUTGW

retired_brinker317

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by James M:
Title is only half as good as mine :thdn:

KUTGW <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, well you nicked the obvious Oasis song title didn't you - Cheers


5th, and inside the Playoff Zone - but that upbeat note would recieve a huge double blow on Sunday. With Stuart Sangster's injury confirmed as a torn groin muscle, ruling the Scot out for 2 Months, Fairway was highly disapointed to see Narada also pull up in training.

The fullback - a key player in the Woking squad - would be out for a fortnight after pulling his hamstring. Two injuries - two changes needed.

Southport v Woking - League

Unavailable

Narada - Injured - (Hamstring, 2 Weeks)
Stuart Sangster - Injured - (Groin, 2 Months)

With the double injury blow forcing a rethink, Fairway chose to hand Cavell Coo a runout at left back - with Saturday's provider-in-chief Rob O'Brien handed a starting berth on the right of midfield. Coo's inclusion suprised some - as did Lee Collymore's retention of a starting position after a dismal showing in the victory over Burton. On a cool, dry evening the Sandgrounders began very brighly, and on 5 minutes took the lead - Aaron Carter - not the former child popstar, but a young striker on loan from Plymouth - showed his class, racing onto a Bai flick to beat 'keeper Bayes at the near post. All of two minutes later, Southport scored for a second time - Woking asleep at the back, and Morlai Kamara Bai seeing his favour returned - Carter's cross expertly volleyed low into the net by the Sierra Leone international. Carter was rampant - coming close again on 17, before Woking pulled one back on 32. A brilliant ball forward from Lee Frecklington caught Southport cold, and when Foyewa turned it square, Lee Collymore made no mistake with a low, powerful drive into the far corner. The seeds had been sown, and although O'Brien missed a sitter before the break, soon after, Woking claimed their second to bring the scores level. On 58 Jamie Baugley pumped the ball forward, and 'keeper Jones made a real hash of Foyewa's cross - coming to claim, but flapping - and allowing Lee Collymore a simple finish into the unguarded net. The equaliser gave Woking a real boost, and on 65 Coo passed to Foyewa - a pass beyond the defence seconds later, and another rapier-like finish from the in-form Lee Collymore . The Southport fans were distraught - Woking's comeback complete, and the Cards looking likely to, if anything, increase their lead. The home side made changes, and refused to lay down - eventually bringing the scores back level on 78. After a flurry of activity, young Aaron Carter again ran on to a Bai through ball to slot past the advancing Bayes - and bring Haig Avenue to it's feet again. Southport stole the iniative - Robertson hitting the bar with a free kick on 82 - but the frentic goalmouth action was to no avail, for either side - a draw a fair reflection on a real game of two halves - and justification for the inclusion of Collymore.

Southport 3 - Woking 3 (Collymore 3)

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Coo, Boardman, MacDonald* (Replaced 72 McNab), O'Brien, Baguley, Canham, Frecklington (Replaced 72 Wallis), Collymore, Foyewa

Woking Position After Game; 5th