Mike Smith
10:31pm, Sat 30th Apr 2016
I have proudly served as Chairman of Woking Football Club for the last five years, during which time the club has secured its long term use of the Laithwaite Community Stadium and made an impressive return to the top flight of the National League as one of only a handful of part-time teams. On the pitch we have maintained a great management pairing who, ably supported by Geoff Chapple and the board have helped bring stability,success and for the most part, exciting and entertaining football to the club, making the absolute best of limited resources, far exceeding any expectation held at the time they arrived and went to work in 2011.
It is to Garry and Steve's great credit that they have worked so hard and co-operated so well with myself and the board, fully sharing a strong ambition and deep desire to succeed, but also fully accepting that this could only be pursued at a cost which would not prejudice the future of the club and its new lease of the stadium.
In five years, we, the club and its fantastic supporters have lifted Woking to a point where it has not only consolidated its position in the National League, but it has also demonstrated what could well be possible given reasonable financial investment and stadium improvements designed specifically to help the club generate sustainable income. As a volunteer and a supporter of Woking Football Club since 1990, I have decided, for personal reasons, that the time is now right, and that it would be in the best interests of the club for me to step down as Chairman and a Director, effective from midnight on Saturday, 30th April, 2016.
I remain a supporter and shareholder and wish my successor every success.
Above all, I will be forever grateful for the opportunity I was given to serve such a great club as Woking.
Mike Smith.