Woking supporters get clearer path back to full matchdays
By Demoduck.co.uk News Desk | 13 August 2026
Woking Football Club’s safety restriction has been lifted, removing the attendance limitation placed on the club after health and safety concerns were raised at fixtures earlier this year.
Surrey County Council confirmed the decision after the club completed a series of safety improvements at the Laithwaite Community Stadium. The new arrangements were tested during Woking’s match against Sutton United on Saturday 8 August before the restriction was removed.
For supporters, the decision means the restriction is no longer in force for future home matchdays. The council’s announcement does not set out a new attendance figure, so it confirms the lifting of the restriction rather than a revised capacity number.
What the decision means for Woking supporters
The restriction had limited attendance at Woking fixtures below National League level while the club addressed the issues identified at the ground. Its removal allows the club to look ahead to welcoming supporters back under the updated matchday arrangements.
The decision is based on work completed at the stadium and on the Sutton United fixture being used to test those arrangements. It does not mark the end of the club’s work with safety partners: Woking has said the procedures now in place will be maintained and improved.
Safety measures at the Laithwaite Community Stadium
The restriction had been imposed under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 following several health and safety-related issues raised at fixtures earlier this year.
According to Surrey County Council, the work undertaken by the club included more comprehensive CCTV coverage, the appointment of a security company with football-industry experience, steward retraining and safety improvements around the stadium.
The council also cited improvements to the club’s safety culture. Taken together, the changes were intended to strengthen how matchdays are managed for supporters, staff and the wider community.
Sutton United fixture used to test arrangements
The Woking v Sutton United match on 8 August formed part of the process leading to the restriction being lifted. Surrey County Council said the club had worked constructively with the council, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, Surrey Police and other partners to meet the required safety measures.
Carl Bussey, Surrey County Council’s Assistant Director for Emergency Management & Resilience, said the club’s progress was an important step towards safe, well-managed matchdays. He also thanked the council, fire service, police and other organisations involved in the work.
Club commitment to ongoing standards
Robin Byrne, managing director of Woking Football Club, thanked Surrey County Council, the emergency services, the wider Safety Advisory Group, The Trust and the Supporters’ Liaison Group for their support during the restriction period.
The club said it looked forward to welcoming supporters back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium and continuing to work with relevant partners. It added that safety would remain a priority, with the standards and procedures introduced during the process set to be maintained and continually improved.
Source: Surrey County Council Press Releases
Context & actions About this article
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This report follows the council’s account of the restriction, the stated safety work and the 8 August test fixture.
- Confirmed the restriction was lifted on 13 August 2026.
- Checked the listed stadium safety measures against the council statement.
- Checked that the Woking v Sutton United fixture on 8 August was cited as part of the testi...
- Retained the council’s note that no new attendance figure was published.
- Source
- Surrey County Council Press Releases
- Scope
- Woking
- Updated
- 2026-08-13 19:07
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