Football Factory - Woking Edition
This writer has been at the Eternal Derby of Belgrade, the politically charged Vječni Derby between Dinamo Zagreb and Hadjuk Split, but on the doorstep of sleepy Surrey, there is a new wave of ultras, this is Woking FC vs Aldershot Town.
It's the first day of 2023, in a very affluent, commuter belt town, there is a heavy police presence. In the park close by the Kingfield Stadium, there are police everywhere, and after the Boxing Day massacre, a mere five days removed, who can blame them. It was in the reverse fixture, when reports of flares being thrown in to the away end, and bricks raining down, that has given this game a little extra spice. Stone Island clobber is everywhere, I'm sort of expecting Danny Dyer to appear. There is even an officer practising with a Drone, not something you see often.
Woking FC are strange club in many ways, full of history, a big fan base, one of a group too big for the National League, but too small for League 2, just like today's opponents, Aldershot, who are separated by nothing more than 11 miles. Today is a sell out crowd, the air is filled with tension, clearly the new year hangovers are not damping anyones vitriol, but at the moment, it's more Green Street than Football Factory.
As the away fans file in, they are serenaded with various classics, "you live in a Caravan", "Aldershit" et al. There is one moment of bonhomie and camaraderie, a large lad clad in Burberry is urged to get his 'tits out' and he does to a reciprocal cheer from both sides. There is even a police camcorder, adding to the all round 90's feel, of the bad old days.
The Kingfield Stadium, or as it's known commercially, The Laithwaite Community Stadium is a peculiar ground, one end of grandeur with a towering stand, perhaps hinting at a more extravagant time, and the rest is a bit of a shed. A very early Woking goal caused a pantomime surge towards each other, held back theatrical by stewards, police and fencing. It was a delightful volleyed lob, that seemed to bounce in slow motion, then rapture. It's all too much for one Aldershot fan, he is dragged out before 10 minutes have even passed, kicking and screaming.
A quiet rest of the half ended in a crescendo. Aldershot equalise, a green flare tossed on the pitch, before the final act of an entertaining 45 minutes. A Woking penalty, calmly slotted in and then the same rush as before. There is certainly a sense of community in the masses, as a young lad covered in designer gear, perhaps spotted I didn't belong, and politely warned me, that if this penalty hits the net, I should move or be taken in the stampede. From hate to humanity.
The second half was all Woking, racing into an insatiable 4-1 lead, resplendent with more vitriol and joyous chants at the visitors. Somewhere in the mayhem Woking had a player sent off, but nothing could dampen the loyal fans support.
There is something amusing about English hooligans, casuals, ultras, call them what you wish. It all seems to be bravado nowadays, more wit than weapons, posing over punching. Which is no bad thing of course. You just imagine if these provincial, humdrum towns ever run into the likes of the Grobari or the Irriducibili of Lazio. It's often said that English grounds lack atmosphere, but certainly not at this level. It's something to be protected.
