Just over 12 months on since only two points separated the sides in the final 2024/25 National League South camapign, Worthing and Boreham Wood will come to blows once again in a league campaign this season.
The Wood advanced into the fifth tier by winning the play-offs and instantly proved they deserved to belong amongst Non-League’s elite with a stellar return to the National League.
In their first season back after only a one year absence, the Hertfordshire based side accrued a staggering 90 points, before defeating Forest Green Rovers and Carlisle United in their consecutive play-off campaign. It was the cruelest of endings to their season, as Rochdale exacted an unlikely comeback at Wembley to draw level from a two-goal deficit and then using that momentum to triumph on spot-kicks. That loss aside, they still had plenty to be proud of.
In addition to their impressive league campaign, Boreham Wood also added some silverware to their trophy cabinet, as they became only the second team to lift the National League Cup. Luke Garrard’s side dramatically edged out West Ham U21s in the final, with Aaron Henry’s 93rd minute equaliser forcing a penalty shootout which they prevailed in courtesy of a 7-6 win.
After coming so close to the EFL for the first time in their existence, Boreham Wood will be hungry to put their Wembley woes swiftly behind them and earn promotion into League Two this season.
History
Founded in 1948 through the merger of Boreham Rovers and Royal Retournez, Boreham Wood has risen from local amateur football to become one of country’s most established Non-League club. They have steadily progressed through the Mid-Herts, Parthenon, Spartan and Athenian leagues before rising into the Isthmian League in the 1970s.
A major turning point came under long-serving manager Luke Garrard, who guided the Wood to promotion to the National League in 2015. In the 11 years that have passed, several magical moments have occurred including , reaching the National League Play-Off Final last season and enjoying memorable FA Cup runs. Their greatest achievement came in their 2021/22 FA Cup campaign, when they became only the ninth Non-League club to reach the fifth round, defeating AFC Wimbledon and AFC Bournemouth along the way before losing to Everton at Goodison Park.
Manager – Luke Garrard
Luke Garrard is heralded as one of the most influential figures in Boreham Wood’s history.
As a player, Garrard began in the youth system at Tottenham Hotspur F.C. before starting his senior career with Swindon Town.. He later played for several non-league clubs, most notably AFC Wimbledon, where he made more than 100 appearances and helped the club win promotion from the Conference South in 2009.
After hanging up his boots early due to injury, Garrard was appointed manager of Boreham Wood in 2015 at the age of 30, becoming the youngest manager in England’s top five divisions at the time.
Under his leadership, the club enjoyed its most successful period, including reaching the National League play-off final at Wembley in 2018 and guiding Boreham Wood to a historic fifth-round run in the FA Cup.
After leaving the club following relegation in 2024, Garrard returned as manager later that year and immediately guided Boreham Wood back to the National League. In the 2025/26 season, he led the club to another promotion final at Wembley, narrowly missing out on a place in the English Football League. The Club displayed their faith in their manager by handing him a new long-term contract.
Garrard is widely regarded as one of the most respected managers in English Non-League football, noted for developing players and building competitive teams on modest budgets.
Previous Meetings
Worthing first played Boreham Wood in the 1968/69 season, when we were both members of Athenian League Division 2, and then met them in Division 1 of that competition five years later.
Most of our encounters were in Isthmian League Division 1, spread over four spells between 1982 and 2001, and we also had a couple of seasons facing each other in the Premier Division. In 2004/05, we met in National League South. Boreham Wood are this season’s opponents that we have played most often.
Stadium – Meadow Park
Boreham Wood’s head quarters is Meadow Park, which also plays host to several Arsenal Women’s matches and Arsenal Academy games.
It holds a a capacity of approximately 4,500 spectators, and has been progressively modernised throughout the years with the rebuild of the Main Stand just before the turn of the millennium before the additions of a West Stand and covered North Bank terrace over the last decade or so.
Known for its intimate atmosphere and close proximity to the pitch, Meadow Parkhas been the home of Boreham Wood since 1963.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗