WOKING forward Dennon Lewis believes the club will start next season as one of the favourites for promotion.

The 26-year-old will officially join the Cards on July 1, having featured prominently in 2022-23 for last term’s play-off semi-finalists Boreham Wood.

Lewis, a product of Watford’s academy, spent the 2016-17 campaign on loan to the Cards. He appeared for Falkirk in the Scottish Championship and Crawley Town in League Two, and made almost 100 appearances for Wealdstone.

He told the News & Mail: “There’s only one ambition for the club after what they did last season, and that’s to get promoted.

“I think the league will be very open now that Notts County and Wrexham have both gone up. 

“It’s anyone’s game and Woking sit at the top of that list.

“With the players that we’ve got in the dressing room, we can’t go for anything other than promotion, whether that’s via the play-offs or automatically.”

Reflecting on how his return to Kingfield came about, Lewis said: “It was fairly quick. My agent spoke to [Woking boss] Darren Sarll.

“And within the first week of leaving Boreham Wood, I went in for a meeting with Darren.

“There he explained to me the way he wanted to play, the style of his team and that he likes pace and wants his team to be on the front foot. 

“It sounded really appealing, and everything fell into place after that.

“It’s the best move I could’ve made. It’s not something I necessarily anticipated – but last season, Woking were one of the best teams in the division by far, so it’s a privilege for me to even get offered to join a team like this. I’m really happy.”

Looking ahead to pre-season, he said: “I’m trying to give myself the opportunity to go back in the best shape that I’ve ever gone back in. 

“For me, this is a massive season. So I want to give myself every opportunity to perform at my maximum. And that’s what I’m doing in this off-season, that’s for sure.”

Last season, Lewis played as a wing-back in a Wood team that conceded only 40 goals in 46 Vanarama National League games.

But when asked to describe what type of player he is, Lewis said: “I like to go one versus one and I’m quick. I’ve learnt the defensive side of the game now but my main threat is getting balls into the box and getting shots off and trying to make things happen in the final third.

“Back in the day, I used to play outside Watford’s stadium. I’d go to a churchyard [by the ground] and we’d play football and get let in to watch some of the first-team fixtures – and that’s where it all started for me. I must’ve been about eight years old. 

“Then I got picked up by Watford’s development centre and from there I knew I wanted to play football. 

“It was my passion, it was something I was good at and I knew then I’d love to make that my job.”

And of his first spell with Woking – when they were battling to avoid relegation  – Lewis said: “Stepping out of academy football straight into men’s football is difficult. It was a massive learning experience. It was a tough season but I loved every part of it. 

“It’s an honour to come back, to put the shirt on again and work hard for the fans. I can’t wait to get started.”