It has been a one heck of a week for Woodley United, who took nine points from their final three games – all at the Rivermoor – to secure a play-off place at Step 6 in the Combined Counties League Division 1.
This has is something of a repeat trick for United, who this time last season won three games in five days to stave off the threat of relegation from the same division. The success this time around is testament to those behind the scenes at WUFC who have kept patience with Jordan Blake – now in his fourth season as manager of Woodley – who has proven his ability in putting together a top four side. Blake and his Boys now travel to Hayes-based Brook House next Saturday 25th for the play-off semi-final, with the winners facing either Bedfont or Wembley in the final.
Typical of the patient and pragmatic approach at Woodley United is General Manager Mark Rozzier, who sums up the grounded attitude the club have as he fills in team sheets, entertains officials, fills in team sheets, updates Football Web Pages and FA Full Time website whilst retrieving stray footballs on a typical afternoon or evening at Scours Lane. Around this time last year with Woodley struggling to retain their Step 6 status, I caught up with Mark who was cautiously and quietly optimistic as to their chances of survival. When we caught up last Wednesday night when United defeated Colliers Wood United with comfort, he was in a typically pragmatic mood:
FIB: Mark, you’ve had a great season this time around. How long have you been involved with Woodley United and how did you get involved?
Mark Rozzier: I’ve been involved with Woodley United FC since its creation in 2015 and prior to that as part of the steering committee that oversaw and lead the merger of Woodley United Ladies FC, Woodley Hammers and Woodley Town. Prior to the merger I was involved with Woodley Town and Woodley United Ladies FC from its inception in 201, with this season being my fortieth year of involvement with football in Woodley.
FIB: This season will be Woodley’s best campaign back at Step 6 since relegation from Hellenic League Premier Division in 2018. Did you expect such a dramatic improvement given the battle to stay at Step 6 only last season?
MR: Yes and no! Yes – as in pre-season 2025 confidence was high following the “great escape” and with much of the squad retained it was felt that a challenge for a play-off position would be a reasonable goal with a target of ten points a month set by the management team. No – as to achieve the target would require consistency over the whole season which is something the team has not achieved in recent years.
The season start of eighteen unbeaten games laid the foundation for what has been the best season since the 2018 relegation and enable the team to spend the vast majority of the season in a promotion playoff position.
FIB: The club has shown great faith in Jordan Blake and being rewarded for the patience and understanding shown. What do you think are Jordan’s strengths as a manager?
MR: His passion and dedication to football which he lives and breathes. This leads to attention to detail, planning and wanting the best for the players. His network within football also helps him especially when short term cover is needed for an injured or unavailable player.
Jordan also takes a wider interest in the club which sees him support player development from the men’s development team and take a keen interest in the progress of the ladies’ team, which has faced its challenges this season and saw Jordan assist in the managing of two games early season.
FIB: Can Woodley United’s infrastructure sustain a club at Step 5?
MR: In the short term, yes. On the pitch this season has seen a number of youth players make the transition into the men’s development side and with an increasing number of teenage youth teams hopefully this progression will continue and hopefully into the first team. Off the pitch, again yes – but to maintain a longer presence at Step 5 will require continuous improvement to the way the club is run including marketing, sponsorship, an increase in spectators and income streams.
FIB: Would Woodley United men ever be able to play Step 5/6 – or even higher – football in Woodley to build a fanbase there?
MR: This is the ongoing goal to have the team play closer to Woodley but the challenges local authorities face regarding house building puts land at a premium. We have good relationships with these authorities who are aware and supportive of the need to have football locally. Hopefully one day playing in or close to Woodley will be a reality.
FIB: It has been a tough season for Woodley United Women, up against some big clubs in Tier 5 with the likes of Reading, Wycombe Wanderers, Southampton Women, Oxford City. However, survival is in their grasp, so how would you rate their achievements this season?
MR: Survival will be a tremendous achievement in what is becoming an increasingly difficult league to play in given the resources the teams you mention have and the ability to attract quality experienced players. Manager Paul MacRae and his coaches have been brilliant in creating an environment that is welcoming to new players, of which there have been many, especially the younger ones who are stating on their journey in open age football. Such has been Paul’s enthusiasm and the interest in playing for the team that has generated, the club is looking to run an U17/U18 team and a Development team next season. With the current u14s winning the BBFA cup this season, our female section looks in good health.
Good health – that phrase seems to sum up Woodley United in a nutshell in the here and now. Much hard work is done behind the scenes by Mark and his staff. They cannot tackle football at Step 5 level – men and women – without support from their community, so if you have the ability to help make a difference in areas such as sponsorship please do contact Mark on mark.rozzier@woodleyunitedfc.co.uk
