CARDS LOOKING FOR A LIFT!
GEOFF CHAPPLE has the opportunity to further ingrain himself into Woking folklore with four games to avoid relegation from the National League.
The Non-League legend is back for his third stint in the Cards hot seat after Anthony Limbrick was axed following a run of just three wins in 26 games.
Chapple, 73, is adored by the Woking faithful after guiding the Surrey-based side into the Conference for the first time in the 90s before winning three FA Trophy finals, and now he faces one of his biggest challenges to avoid the drop.
It is the former Kingstonian manager’s first job for 16 years and although he is in charge for the remainder of the season, he won’t be sat in the dugout. Instead, Limbrick’s assistant Jason Goodliffe will be the front man and will be supported by ex-Aldershot assistant Matt Gray. Former Woking boss Garry Hill offered to take charge for free until the end of the season, but the club turned him down. “Jason will be in at the helm and will be the voice in the dressing room,” Chapple told BBC Surrey. “I will oversee everything else that goes on around it. If I have to go into the dressing room then I am prepared to do that. “The players’ confidence is low at the minute coupled with the pressure of having to win games. I sympathise with them and fully understand how they’re feeling. Together we can get back on track.”
Woking parted company with rookie boss Limbrick on Tuesday, bringing to an end his three-year contract after eight months of football.
“To be fair to Anthony he was doing a cracking job, he’s had some unlucky situations that have come around.
“Whether it is a referee decision or individual player mistakes, they ultimately will cost a manager his job.
“This is a results business, I’ve been there, I’ve done it and I’ve been sacked, like Anthony.
“I think he has a bright future, but football is a ruthless business.
“We’ve looked at a few things and tried to put a positive spin on what we need to do.
“We’ve got enough, let’s see what we’re made of.”
Woking sit four points above the drop after drawing at Dagenham.