CHARLIE Wakefield cannot wait for the new season to start so he can begin to repay  Darren Sarll for the faith the Woking boss has shown in him. 

Versatile forward Wakefield, 25, will officially join the Cards tomorrow (Saturday, July 1) on a one-year contract, having made four appearances for them towards the end of last term when on a loan deal from Yeovil Town.

In 2021, Wakefield was also signed by Sarll when the latter was Glovers’ gaffer.

Of his impending permanent move to The Laithwaite Community Stadium, Wakefield – a former England under-17 player – told the News & Mail: “It’s a really good feeling. 

“I’m grateful to the manager to be given the opportunity – and hopefully I can repay him.

“I’ve settled in really well here in terms of the lads and the staff, and I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far.”

As a teenager, Wakefield spent almost five years in Cobham as a Chelsea academy player. 

“He said: “I moved there from Brighton when I was 14.

“I was in digs with a lady and another player until I was 19, so I spent a lot of my teenage years in Cobham and I know the area well.” 

It was while Wakefield was with Chelsea’s academy that Sarll, who was then gaffer of Stevenage, made his first attempt to sign the player.

Wakefield, who  helped the Blues win the UEFA Youth League twice and lift the FA Youth Cup, said: “That’s where our relationship began, but it seems a long time ago now. 

“Darren kindly wanted me on loan at Stevenage when I was 18.

“Chelsea said to me ‘You’ve got to pass a fitness test for us to allow you to go there and get some men’s football’ – but I didn’t pass it.” 

Now in training with his Woking team-mates, Wakefield admits he missed football during the close season.

He said: “I missed playing. Towards the end of last season, with the injuries I picked up, I didn’t play as a big a part as I’d have liked, which is frustrating. 

“So when you know that’s happened, you’re just dying to get back.

“It’s exciting to be back with the boys training again, ready for the new season. 

“My aim is just to have a run of games, stay injury-free – which I’m sure I will,  as I know my body now – and stay as consistent as possible to help the team. 

“I’m quick, so when I was at academy level it was right wing that was my main position. 

“The coaches felt I could use my pace to get down the outside, put crosses in the box and score goals.

“They saw how direct I was, and that’s my best position if I had to pick. 

“But I can also play off the left, cut inside and go on the outside.

“And I’ve had spells where I’ve played at right-back to develop my defensive side of the game. 

“And at Yeovil, the gaffer [Sarll] played me down the middle quite a bit because I can run in behind and cause problems that way.

“So I’m versatile, but I’d say right wing is my strongest position.” 

Wakefield made 57 appearances for Yeovil and turned out in League One for Coventry City. He played nine times in the third tier for the Sky Blues across two seasons.