The biggest sporting stories in Surrey in 2024

The year of 2024 has seen some colossal sporting stories across Surrey.

From darting delight to cricket champions, there have been huge successes, as well as some low points across a variety of sports.

Some have grabbed the headlines within the county, while others have experienced success overseas.

We take a look at four of the biggest sports stories from the last 12 months.

James Wade had a disappointing 2023, which saw him exit the top 10 in the PDC's order of merit for the first time since 2007.

After just qualifying for the World Matchplay, Wade beat Danny Noppert, reigning champion Nathan Aspinall and Ross Smith, before eventually losing to world number one and the man who went on to win the trophy, Luke Humphries.

Wade, who lives in Surrey, also made the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix and made it out of his group at the Grand Slam.

However, Wade's year ended on a low note after a loss to Stephen Burton at the Players Championships and a third successive second round exit from the World Championships.

In 2025, he will be hoping to win his first major honour since the UK Open in 2021.

Toby Roberts won Great Britain's 14th gold in Paris and the team's first medal in sport climbing at an Olympics with a dramatic victory in the boulder and lead event.

The 19-year-old climber from Elstead said winning the gold medal "definitely hasn't sunk in yet".

Japanese world silver medallist and favourite Sorato Anraku slipped on his ascent up the 15m wall to give the Englishman victory.

He said: "To work for a goal for so many years and to finally achieve your dreams down on that podium, it's just a moment which I'll never forget."

In September, Surrey won a third straight County Championship and became champions for the 23rd time overall.

After their win, Surrey head coach Gareth Batty said: "It's a whole squad, group of staff coming together and putting in a heck of a lot of work over a long period of time.

"To do it three times in a row is very satisfying. We shall enjoy today and then start the hard work tomorrow to do it all again."

In 2025 they'll be aiming to win it for a fourth successive time and close the gap with Yorkshire, who have won 33 in total.

But, by lifting the trophy in 2022, 2023 and 2024, this group of Surrey players have etched their name into County Championship immortality.

Fans of Woking FC got an early Christmas present at the start of December, after they were told the "path is now clear" for the club's takeover by the Cardinal Football Group after shareholders voted in favour of the sale at a general meeting.

Current owner Drew Volpe revealed in July that he had been within weeks of putting the club into administration, having invested more than £3m of personal capital into the Cards.

A £600,000 loan from his parents allowed them to begin the season, he had said.

But, in a club statement released on 9 December, it said: "The club is delighted to share that following our shareholders' votes at the EGM [extraordinary general meeting] last week, the path is now clear for the transfer of shares to Cardinal Football Group LLC to complete the deal."

On the pitch, Woking currently find themselves in a relegation battle and have recently changed managers, with Neal Ardley replacing Michael Doyle.

With Volpe saying the "sky is the limit" under the club's incoming new owners, fans will have high hopes for 2025.

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