Wokingham Town are aiming to enjoy a more successful season than the last one, with manager Matt Eggleston looking towards the Combined Counties League Premier Division North play-offs – but if that is to be achieved, then the Sumas will need to improve their home form.
The 2025/26 campaign saw them reach their highest league position yet, 11th, and record their highest points total, 50.
They also enjoyed their longest runs in the FA Cup and FA Vase, whilst reaching the Cherry Red Records Premier Cup final, where they lost to Windsor & Eton, and the semi-finals of the Aldershot Senior Cup.
“We’re already out of the FA Cup and Vase – but weren’t going to win either of them – so it’s now a matter of concentrating on the league,” said Eggleston.
“I would like to see us around the play-offs, but we need to start picking up more points than we have so far.
“We started the season well with a 2-1 win at Hilltop; we went two up against Thatcham only to be pegged back (to 2-2); we beat Corsham (2-0) in the FA Cup; then drew 1-1 at Hungerford and lost the replay 2-1 after they had scored in the 94th minute.
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The August Bank Holiday produced just one point from two games, a 1-0 defeat at Kidlington, followed by a 2-2 home draw with Holyport.
“We dropped five points in games that I thought were winnable for us, but we didn’t take advantage of the chances that came our way, though that won’t change the philosophy of how we want to play.”
Pitch problems – “It will get better, but it takes time”
Like many clubs in the South of England, the Lowther Road pitch was badly affected by the prolonged hot and dry weather.
“The pitch wasn’t great last year, but we did a lot of work on it during the close season,” added Eggleston.
“We are working on the pitch as much as possible to get it flat, and it will get better, but it takes time.”
Problems with the playing surface were clearly felt last season. The Sumas managed only five home wins whilst losing 11, with only Holyport and relegated Edgware & Kingsbury suffering more defeats. Yet they won nine away games, the third-highest total in Premier Division North.
The difference was even bigger in goals: 21 at home and 42 away, and the pattern has started this season, with the opening month producing two points at Lowther Road and three when they hit the road.
The pattern has started this season, with the opening month producing two points in two games at Lowther Road and six points from four away trips, the latest being a 2-0 victory at Easington Sports at the start of September.
Eggleston’s squad shows several changes from that of last season.
Among those to have left as they looked to crack a higher level of football were Ty Moorcroft and Connor Richardson.
Moorcroft moved to Bracknell Town, only to be released a few weeks later after the change of management, and he then joined Binfield.
Richardson, who scored 18 goals last season and was credited with 13 assists, moved to Hanwell Town, though he signed dual registration forms with Ascot United last month.
Another to depart the Sumas was Jamie Beauchamp, among several players tempted away by super-rich Fleet Town, managed by Jamie McClurg.
Eggleston commented: “We lost five in all, so we have had to rebuild.”
Among the newcomers are Isaac Leader, Kian Leahy, Naz Miah, Josh Dunkley and Kieran Dowding, who commutes from his London home.
Wokingham also signed youngsters Harley Thomas and Charlie North, from Basingstoke on a season-long loan.
Thomas sustained a pre-season injury but made his home debut in the draw with Holyport on Bank Holiday Monday after seeing North, one of his best mates, open the scoring for the Sumas.
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There is also plenty of experience in the squad, mainly provided by Sean Moore, Harrison Bayley, Joe Allchurch, Tom Jordan, Mackenzie Creech, Dan Harris and Jake Simpson.
First team coach Jack Mullen is also registered to play.
Eggleston continued: “I think we have added more quality than we had last season.
“I am not finished, and there are still a few tweaks here and there tobe made to the side, as you have got to get a squad strong enough to cover for injuries, suspensions and players not being available.
“I’ve got my eye on two players at the moment, but I do it differently to some managers in the local area.
“I talk to their manager first before talking to the player, though some managers do it the other way and look to speak to the player first, which is not allowed by the FA Rules.
“I always put in a seven-day approach and wait for that to expire before speaking to the player.
“We can’t have cover for every position, but we have a squad of about 24, and there is always the chance of one or two players wanting to go elsewhere to get more game time than we can offer them.”
The manager added: “It’s just a matter of them all clicking together now, and I am sure some team will be on the end of a hammering soon.”
350 games in charge
In his third spell with Wokingham, Eggleston is now approaching 350 matches in charge of the team, many of them with the now Director of Football, Dan Bateman, beside him.
He also has plenty of support away from football, as he and his partner have three boys and two girls, aged from nine to 15.
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“I am very lucky to have a big family to support me. They come to games and even to training at times. One of the daughters also works in the tea bar,” said 50-year-old Matt.
Off the field, the club is fortunate to be backed by a group of loyal, long-serving officials, headed by president Mark Ashwell, chairman Steve Williams and senior secretary Neil van den Dungen.
The Lowther Road ground will see plenty of action this season, hosting not only the senior team but also development, youth and ladies matches. There is also to be a new Sunday men’s team.
