By Jacob Greenwood

Not many people will have fond memories of 2020. Of course, the gloom created by the  Covid-19 pandemic impacted people around the world but for Woking fans, it was an equally uncertain time as the plans for a new stadium development went up in smoke at the end of June. 

The Woking Community Stadium project would not only have delivered a brand new ground, but seen a transfer of club ownership into the hands of the developers. Looking back, many see the council’s decision to decline the project planning permission as a positive move for the future of the club. However, with the lifeline of a new stadium gone and sticking to the status quo unlikely to see The Cards do much more than survive in the National League, the future was far from bright. 

Fast-forward to October, and fans were given cautious optimism about the future of the club. Sandwiched between a goalless draw with Halifax Town and an FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round win away to local rivals Aldershot Town, came an announcement that would change the outlook for the coming seasons. A media release from the club announced the arrival of investment group Final Third Sport, led by John Katz and Drew Volpe. 

Three years on, and with the club making great strides on and off the pitch, Volpe has reflected on getting involved with Woking and told Cardinals 1887 the group are still determined to get the club into the promised land of The Football League.

Although this article marks three years since the announcement, Woking has played a role in Volpe’s life for a while longer and he recalls being approached about the plans the previous year. 

“I remember John approached me in San Diego in 2019 and he came to me with the idea of getting involved with Woking and it ramped up really fast after that. 

“It’s been a dream of mine to own a team and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Despite the excitement, the pandemic initially prevented Volpe from getting over to Kingfield, but thanks to the ability to stream matches, and due to multiple trips over, he is able to keep up-to-date with performances.

“My first trip over was in 2021 and involved testing for Covid-19 and isolating upon arrival. It feels like forever ago. 

“The good thing that came out of the takeover at Wrexham was the creation of the National League streaming service. I’m able to watch games from the comfort of my home [a 9am start in Dallas, Texas, where Volpe is based]. It’s been fun as my friends can follow along too and they’ve really got into it!” 

When it comes to football ownership, where there is optimism, there is always caution. Poor ownership is eroding clubs around Woking, you only have to look at next Saturday’s visitors Southend United, whose future hangs by a thread. Volpe insists everything himself and the wider ownership group do is with the best interest of the club at heart, and the ambition is to push on. In fact, he wants to banish the bad memories fans might have from previous investors that have had three-year plans, that have gone spectacularly wrong. 

“We’ve always said it is a three-year plan, and we are in year three. Can I guarantee we will get promoted? No. However, what I can say is we are putting the best team possible in a position to gain promotion. If we don’t go up this season then the three-year plan becomes a four-year plan. We are going to keep doing this until we get promoted.”

Away from success on the pitch, Volpe is also committed to growing the club off the pitch. Moves are already being made to adopt Football League standards, some of which haven’t sat well with sections of the fan base online. However, Volpe has embraced the fans forum and is always open to engaging with fans, which he thinks is key.

“It’s endearing that fans care so much about the club. I put my phone number and email on the forum to offer the chance for fans to contact me and all the conversations I’ve had have been constructive.” 

We thank Drew for taking time to speak with us on his recent visit to The UK.

Images from Wokingfc.co.uk.