The Bees are back on the road in Vanarama National League action – travelling to Woking FC on Saturday afternoon (15:00 KO).
We’ve created this Away Guide packed full of all the information you’ll need to know if you’re making the trip to The Laithwaite Community Stadium.
STADIUM
The Laithwaite Community Stadium, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9AA
NICKNAME
The Cardinals
COLOURS
Red, White & Black
KEY PERSONNEL
Alan Dowson has been in charge since 2018. The 51-year-old had previous managerial experience at Walton & Hersham, Kingstonian and Hampton & Richmond Borough.
BRIEF DIRECTIONS BY ROAD
From the M25, come off at Chertsey Junction 11, and at the top of the slip road turn right, following the signs for A320 Woking and Guildford.
Stay on this A320 road which is regularly signposted Guildford and eventually you will reach the ground.
The real secret in finding The Laithwaite Community Stadium was always to follow signs to the Woking Leisure centre which is opposite the ground.
BRIEF DIRECTIONS BY TRAIN
Trains from London Waterloo will take around 40 minutes and go directly to Woking Station.
Woking Train Station is in the centre of town and approximately a mile and a half from the stadium and about a 30 minute walk if you’re quick!
CAR PARKING
Options are either street parking or at the leisure centre. Park near the entrance/exit if you can because it will save some time getting home.
GROUND DESCRIPTION
The Laithwaite Community Stadium Main Stand is split into two and has been around for 60 years. It occupies half of one touchline and open terracing is found on either side.
To the left is the Kingfield Terrace and opposite is the uncovered Chris Lane terrace which is allocated to away fans.
The Seymours Community LGS Stand was built in 1995 and towers over the rest of the ground. It offers a superb view of proceedings, although you will be open to the elements if you sit at the very far ends.
EAT AND DRINK
The nearest pub to the ground is the Kingfield Arms. It is located about 500 yards from the ground on Kingfield Road.
My choice would be the ‘The Sovereigns’ which is on the Guildford Road (A320) purely because one of the Ultimate Mixed Grill on offer for about £15.00 – rump steak, gammon steak, a whole chicken breast, two pork, leek and bacon sausages, two fried eggs, chips, a grilled flat mushroom, onion rings, garden peas and half a grilled tomato.
The catering inside The Laithwaite Community Stadium was always good too!
Another option of course is the Woking Snooker Centre which is adjacent to the stadium. Well-behaved visiting fans have always been made welcome and I have used it on many occasions – nice people they are too.
Away fans are not permitted in The Cardinals Bar because of segregation.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND MEMORIES
The last visit to Woking was in November 2020, a 1-4 defeat was decorated with a goal from the Toronto Tornado Michael Petrasso.
A Barnet match against Woking over the years has usually been exciting, but not normally rewarding.
A George Cleary last minute penalty in front of a massed North Terrace got the Bees a replay in the FA Cup, in 1978 (what a great goal celebration that was). The final score was 3-3, but we would have won at Underhill that day if it hadn’t been for Jimmy Greaves getting sent off!
The replay also finished 3-3 at Woking but the Cards gave us a lesson in finishing at Brentford’s Griffin Park – 3-0 in the 3rd game.
After two further fantastic FA Cup draws at Underhill 4-4 and 2-2 in successive seasons (1994 and 1995), the Bees lost both replays at The Laithwaite Community Stadium.
CELEBRITY WATCH
Woking is famous for producing the crème de la crème of the British pop music scene.
Paul Weller of the Jam, Petula Clark of ‘Downtown’ fame, the songwriter of that song and the ‘Neighbours’ theme tune Tony Hatch, Les Reed composer of ‘The Last Waltz’, Rick Parfitt of Status Quo and the band Badfinger who were discovered by The Beatles, to name most of them!
Literature is also well represented in the history of Woking as both George Bernard Shaw and HG Wells resided there at some point.
The first ever Mosque to appear in Britain was built in Woking in 1889 as was the first ever Crematorium in Britain in 1884. Whilst the West Woking Working Mens Club was closed in 1977 as the local council felt the name was too difficult to pronounce!
Enjoy the match, ‘Reckless’
