Goalkeeper can't wait to go back to Woking
Ross Worner returns to the club where it all started for him as a goalkeeper believing that competition for the number one jersey at Wimbledon will only bring about improvement in his game.
The 24-year-old came through the academy ranks at Kingfield Stadium and was Woking’s Player of the Year, before departing for Charlton Athletic in 2010. Fast forward four years and Worner is hoping for a warm welcome from the Woking faithful after playing in the Football League for Charlton, Aldershot and now Wimbledon.
“As soon as I saw the fixture I was really looking forward to it,” Worner told Dons Player. “I really enjoyed playing at Woking and I had some emotional times there. I came through the academy and managed to get into the first-team. It’s going to be a bit strange because it’s where I learned my trade so that I could become a professional footballer.
“We had a good season when I was last at Woking and we got beat in the final of the Conference South play-off. I had a good relationship with Woking fans and it will be nice to go back and see the plaque with my name on it for being Supporters’ Player of the Year. I know a few players who are still there, including Giuseppe Sole and if he gets a free-kick and I’m in goal he will be looking to put it in the top corner!”
With Neal Ardley having brought in James Shea and Joe McDonnell to provide competition in the goalkeeping department, Worner knows he has a fight on his hands for a first-team place.
“It is good to have more goalkeepers here because we can push each other on,” added Worner. “You learn different aspects of goalkeeping and hopefully it will make me better. The competition has started already and I’m enjoying it. Training has been hard, but in the right way. I feel fresh and I’m looking forward to every game that I play at the moment.
“It’s going to be tough next season, but the manager has done well with the squad. He’s brought in some good players and I think we’ll be looking to be up near the top. From what I’ve seen in training I think we can have a good season if everything goes to plan. We have the players now and the belief of the manager to do well.”
Dons Player subscribers can watch the full video interview with Ross on our premium channel, along with an in-depth update from Neal Ardley.
.Neal's updateIf you missed our preview of the Woking game on the official website yesterday, click on