KING OF CARDS SOLE SO ‘PROUD’
WOKING legend Giuseppe Sole finally said farewell to his boyhood club on Tuesday evening at his long-awaited testimonial.
The revered striker twice saw his appreciation fixture postponed after he left the Cards in 2016 following ten years of service.
Within three days of manager Alan Dowson’s arrival at Woking this summer, who Sole played under at Hampton & Richmond, a new date was organised against AFC Wimbledon, who won 3-1.
Even then the match went up against France’s clash with Belgium in the World Cup semi-finals but a crowd of over 600 flocked to Kingfield to see their hero out.
“It was fantastic, a great evening which has been a long time coming and it was really nice to get back out on the pitch,” said Sole, 30, who now plays for Dorking Wanderers.
“A massive thank you to everyone who helped to organise the game and the people who turned up.
“If England were playing tonight we’d have had 22 players on the pitch, my family and that’s it! I’m glad it didn’t clash but apparently there were provisions to move it if it was the England semi-final.
“When I left I didn’t really get a chance to say a proper goodbye. Tonight was the closing chapter and good luck to everyone there because it is a fantastic football club. I’ve had some fantastic memories here and I’m really chuffed to have been a small part of Woking’s huge history.”
Sole played more than a small part at the Surreybased club. Coming up through Woking’s academy, he went on to score 111 goals in 352 appearances and became known for his stunning free-kicks.
In 2012, Sole scored in 11 consecutive games to set a new club record and help Woking to the Conference South title.
“I look back on those stats with so much pride,” he added. “It’s amazing to be one of only ten people to score over 100 goals for Woking. I’m very proud to be part of that club. All the games and goals have given me so much joy and hopefully the fans.
“I still find myself going on YouTube watching them. They’ll be on record forever and I’ll never forget them.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play football for this club for ten years and be able to call it a job!”