Old Wokingians F C |
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OWFC
Clubhouse |
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During the first fifty years of its existence Old Wokingians Football Club played its home fixtures at a variety of grounds around the Woking area. These included the Woking Grammar School Ground at Loop Road, West Byfleet Rec, Chertsey Rec, Byfleet Rec, Brookwood Rec, Abbey Fields, Boundary Road Rec and Stoke Park. When the School closed in 1977 it was hoped the Club would be able to continue with its use of the School Ground at Loop Road. | |||
However, the owners of the land, Surrey County Council, were keen to sell the pitches as building land. In mid 1981, following a full government enquiry, the Secretary of State quashed the building proposal due in no small part to the work of the "Loop Road Action Committee" which consisted of representatives of OWFC, Meadow Sports and local residents. | |||
In January 1982 OWFC and Meadow Sports set up a sub-committee to investigate the possibility of putting forward a joint proposal for the future use of Loop Road. Later in the year when Woking Borough Council had purchased the land from Surrey CC, joint user negotiations were commenced in earnest. These were based around the construction of a new pavilion, funded by the two Clubs, on land leased from Woking BC. |
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It took four years to raise the £124,000 cost and to complete the work. On 20 December 1986 OWFC played their first match at Loop Road using the new pavilion. A more formal opening ceremony for the pavilion was carried out by Bobby Charlton on 23 April 1987. The completion of this scheme provided Old Wokingians with facilities that befitted their position as the largest senior football club in the area. |
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John
Billing OWFC, Bobby Charlton, Peter Kewish OWFC and Jack Trennaman OBFL at the opening of the pavilion April 1987 |
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Over the last twenty five years the Clubhouse has provided the focus for the Club's footballing and social activities.
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Jo, Sara, Sylvie and Katie......the important people who keep the bar running | |||
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