Interview with Garry Hill

With speculation surrounding various matters at the Club, I took the opportunity to discuss these with Garry this evening. I asked him about where he and Steve Thompson are in relation to signing new deals at the Club and about the various rumours flying around linking him to other clubs.

He told me: “I am definitely staying at Woking Football Club and so is Steve Thompson. We have both verbally agreed two-year deals and it really is just a case of one or two things needing to be resolved, so that the contracts can be signed. I am hopeful that this will be done by the weekend. I am of course, flattered to be linked to other football clubs, but I can categorically tell you that I have not spoken to any other clubs and have no intention of doing so. I do want to reassure everyone that we are staying at Woking.
Both of us are also fully aware that the budget next season may be reduced, however, this hasn’t put us off wanting to stay at the Club and we have every intention of wanting to build on the start that we have already made. We are also very close to securing new training facilities which I think demonstrates that we are planning for the future. We are both very excited about the potential and possibilities at Woking and want to take this Club as far as possible.�

We spoke next about the departure today of Kieran Murtagh back to Wycombe Wanderers.
Garry said: “I spoke to Gary Waddock earlier today and Kieran has been recalled due to injury problems at Wycombe. Gary was very disappointed to let us down. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Gary and Wycombe Wanderers for loaning us Kieran and believe that it has been a beneficial arrangement for both clubs. I would also like to thank Kieran for the way he has conducted himself whilst he’s been with us both on and off the pitch. Although clearly Kieran is a very good player, I am very confident that I have got lots of other very good players at the Club and we are not a team who are reliant on just one player. However, both Steve and I will assess things between now and 31st March (the deadline for registering new players) and if we feel there is a need to strengthen the squad, we will take action to do so. There is scope in the budget to enable us to do this, should it become necessary.�

Lastly, I asked him about our forthcoming game on Saturday against Eastleigh away.

Garry told me: “I am delighted to be in one of the play-off positions and it’s our aim to remain there. Saturday will be another very hard game and this is where the fans can really play their part. I realise England are playing that day, but it would really be appreciated if the fans could do their utmost to get to Saturday’s game to cheer on the team. The fans really do make a big difference to the players, and both the players and I have been so impressed with the way the fans have got behind us and encouraged us during matches. It’s hugely appreciated and it’s one of the many things that makes Woking such a special club to be involved with.�