Woking reduces ground capacity after safety review

A Surrey football club is to significantly decrease its crowd capacity for upcoming home matches while recommended enhancements are implemented and assessed.

Woking FC, which competes in the National League, has reduced its capacity from around 6,000 to 3,000.

The club said since its home fixture against Aldershot Town in late March, which required an "increased level of match day oversight", it has been working closely with the local Safety Advisory Group.

It said changes were to "ensure the highest standards of safety and supporter experience are maintained".

Woking FC said it had been permitted to increase capacity for the recent home fixture against Eastleigh, with "additional control measures" in place.

In a statement it said: "The club recognises that a number of supporters were unable to gain entry to the recent fixture against Eastleigh due to capacity limits being reached.

"We apologise to those affected and appreciate the frustration this caused.

"While a strong attendance was anticipated, demand on the day ultimately exceeded the available capacity under the measures in place.

"In hindsight, we could have communicated more clearly in advance."

The club reiterated that the new measures are to provide a "safe, secure and enjoyable environment" for all supporters.

"Our aim is to increase capacity as progress allows."

The club said supporters are "strongly encouraged" to purchase tickets in advance to "avoid disappointment.

Woking FC appointed former Tottenham and England striker Jermain Defoe as their new head coach in March.

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