Fans raise thousands in hours for crocked striker

The 28-year-old will miss the rest of the campaign with knee-ligament damage after being carried off in the first half of the 1-0 defeat at Tranmere Rovers on the opening day of the season.

A crowdfunding page, with a target of £10,000, was set up by Cards director and club chaplain Ian Nicholson on Tuesday before fans of the Surrey side raised £1,234 from a bucket collection during their league game against Bromley.

Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter and Crawley defender Joe McNerney, both ex-Woking players, have made donations while Rendell's team-mate Giuseppe Sole, who had a similar injury in 2012, has also contributed.

Rendell, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament last weekend in the North West, has also been boosted by numerous messages of support. During Tuesday night's 2-0 win, Cards midfielder John Goddard even revealed a T-shirt saying "Stay Strong Scott" after scoring.

Nicholson is delighted with the success of the appeal which raised a staggering £8,000 within 24 hours of being launched.

He said: “I’ve never done one before but a couple of people mentioned it so I set it up on Tuesday lunchtime. It took 10 minutes and in the first hour it was bing, bing, bing – everyone was donating and it’s gone on from there.

“The response through Facebook and Twitter has been fantastic. What’s amazing with Scott is how much he is liked and respected throughout the world of football. To have Luton and Cambridge fans contributing is really nice and shows what a family lower league football is, beyond the loyalties and rivalries we all have."

Former player Arter, who is now with Bournemouth in the Premier League, was among the first of the donors who also number an unnamed England international who asked to remain anonymous.

Woking manager Garry Hill is still smarting from the loss of Rendell. “To lose your top goalscorer, your talisman, main player at the club with the experience he has got on and off the pitch, after 40 minutes of the new season was very hard to take,” said the Cards boss.

The Cards Trust are now planning a special fundraising evening on October 15. Featuring an auction, raffle and live entertainment from guest star and comedian Bobby Davro, tickets to the event, which also includes dinner in the club’s Geoff Chapple Lounge, are now on sale at £30.

For more information email: nicky.banger@wokingfc.co.uk