Woking player-coach Craig Ross has signed a new two-year contract with the club until the end of the 2027-28 season.

Two-time Woking Player of the Year Ross has made 208 appearances for the Cards and recorded 53 clean sheets across his time between the posts.

He returned to the Laithwaite Community Stadium ahead of the 2025-26 season and made a significant contribution on and off the pitch, combining his playing duties with an increasingly-influential role in the club’s coaching and management setup.

The 36-year-old goalkeeper took interim charge of the Cards, alongside Jake Hyde and Dale Gorman, after the sacking of Neal Ardley in March and enjoyed an impressive run of results, picking up 16 points from his nine National League games in charge after overseeing four wins, four draws and one defeat.

Ross remained in his player-coach role following the appointment of former Tottenham and England striker Jermain Defoe as Woking’s new manager.

Woking director of football Jody Brown said: “The plan to bring Craig back to the club last summer was economically driven in terms of a player-coach removing an extra salary, but also this was a goalkeeper that had just played more than 40 games in our division that season, and someone that knew the club, and noticeably cared for it.

“He played around 15 games, not including all of pre-season while Will Jaaskelainen was unavailable, he helped bring in Tom Norcott from Reading, and he worked with Will to get him back to his levels. He also of course thrived as part of the interim management team.

“He trains well every day, makes big saves and keeps it a competitive environment.

“He’s growing as a coach and adds value to the management team in ways that aren’t immediately noticeable to the outside world.

“We are very happy to have Craig sharing this journey with us.”