Martin Tyler, 80, gets a friendly between Corinthian-Casuals and Woking Academy underway after having a training ground named in his honour.
Tyler, who is still commentating, telling SunSport he did so during the 2026 World Cup for Fifa’s host broadcasting service, had a special day to remember.
Woking renamed their training ground as ‘The Martin Tyler Performance Centre’, Martin Tyler even making an honorary match appearance.
He was on the pitch for a few seconds for kick off, took a touch, before being subbed, receiving applause.
Interviewer: “Martin, today has been a great occasion. What does it mean to you to have the training facility named after you?”
Martin: “It’s astonishing to be honest. I don’t know whose idea it was. It was a collective I think and Sam Loxton has come through with all the signs and I feel very humble about it because I’ve been a Woking fan. I’m 80 now. I was 8 year old when I first came so I’ve served a bit of time I suppose but not to the extent of doing this.
“I remember the thrill when I was assistant manager Ian Dowson to actually be on the team line-up and the team photo for the season and this has trumped all that. I feel very humbled about it and of course deep down I’m very proud.”
Interviewer: “Moving over towards the football, a great run out for both sides today, how did you find the game?”
Martin: “Yeah, I mean it’s very early in pre-season and obviously some of the players are finding it hard going and some of them are right into their strike. I thought we being the Woking Academy, because I am an ex-Casual player, which is why they kindly chose the opposition and thanked them for coming. I thought we actually put some patterns of play together, very promising.
“We three good goals, as often is the case with the boys. Some of the defending wasn’t quite up to scratch. We do have a bit of a tendency to help the opposition out a little bit, but we worked hard, definitely didn’t deserve to lose and probably deserved to win.”
Interviewer: “And great to see some second years involved again today with two goals from Will Richards. How important is progression here at Woking?”
Martin: “It’s everything, isn’t it? Of course it’s not always easy to move players up during the season because of the structure of the academy and the leagues that the second years are supposed to play in.
“But the better players, the cream does rise to the top. It’s not always the same players at the same time will have been an outstanding player since he first came to the academy.
“But others come in bursts when you think maybe, mean, Jack Tricker is a great example of it. He’s been training and getting minutes with the first team when probably at times here he was wondering whether he was even going to make the third year of the academy.
“So it’s all part of the fabric of this wonderful organisation and it’s just a privilege to have an insight, an inside view of what everyone’s trying to do. The staff are magnificent and they put up with me as well.”
We caught up with Martin Tyler after the game yesterday to discuss the game itself and the renaming of the training ground.
— Woking Football Club Academy (@wokingfcacademy) July 22, 2026
“Tonight is the renaming of our academy facility that we have here within the grounds of Woking College.
“It’s a really big occasion. A lot of work behind the scenes has gone in, in terms of upgrading the facility, to provide the best facilities for the players that are part of the academy here at Woking.
“Of course involving a real Woking legend, and a real football legend in Martin Tyler.
“My first dealings with Martin was working in the first team environment under Alan Dowson, a good friend of Martin’s.
“We shared a real affiliation for Woking and when I became academy manager after a little while we had some good conversations and we invited him to get involved.
“He brings another set of ears, his knowledge of football over decades and a really good figure to have around the place.
“The boys absolutely love having him here, listening to his knowledge and stories. He’ll come and speak to players on a one-to-one basis, help some of them with their on-field stuff as well as off-field as well.
“He’s been a massive addition and I know the staff love having him around.”
Academy Manager Matt Winter sits down to explain the renaming of the training ground and the influence that Martin Tyler has within the Academy.
— Woking Football Club Academy (@wokingfcacademy) July 21, 2026
