John Marquis has set his sights on helping Woking secure a spot in the National League play-offs following his recent arrival at Kingfield. The 34-year-old striker joined the Cards earlier this month after leaving Shrewsbury at the end of last season, reuniting with former Millwall teammate Aiden O’Brien, who has been with Woking since January 2025.
Woking had struggled offensively prior to Marquis’s arrival, managing just four league goals and finding themselves in the relegation zone. However, Marquis made an immediate impact by netting two goals in his home debut during a 5-1 win over Altrincham. The side followed up with a 1-1 draw against Boston United on Tuesday, showing signs of improvement.
Marquis, who came through Millwall’s youth system alongside O’Brien, believes the team’s position in the table did not reflect their true potential. He pointed to a lack of consistent goal-scoring as the primary issue that he aims to address. “When I arrived, our position in the table, for me, was false,” he commented. “The data shows we’ve just been missing being able to score on a consistent basis, which is why it was such a good fit for me. We don’t want to get too above our station but we feel we have a good group of players and I’m excited – that’s the main point. We should definitely be looking upwards and come April I would like to think we could be in and around the play-off mix.”
This is Marquis’s first experience in Non-League football since a loan spell at Staines Town in 2010. He has expressed optimism about the quality of the squad, highlighting the contributions of O’Brien and promising winger Matt Ward. Ward provided the assist for Marquis’s first goal at Woking with a well-timed cross. “I said to Wardy: ‘Keep crossing the ball and I’ll get you plenty of assists’. He’s a great lad, hard-working and one that will have a bright future,” Marquis said.
The longstanding friendship between Marquis and O’Brien played a significant role in Marquis’s decision to join Woking. The two began playing together at Millwall when Marquis was 15 and O’Brien 14. Marquis praised O’Brien’s professionalism and growth both on and off the pitch despite his previously mischievous reputation. “Aiden has grown up a lot, matured a lot. He was a practical joker, a bit of a class clown, but when he stepped over that white line he was very professional and took his job very seriously,” Marquis noted. “He is an infectious character and you need them within a group.”
Marquis also expressed respect for the National League’s competitive level, noting that clubs promoted from this tier have performed well in the English Football League, with some advancing to League One. “I’ve not played at this level before but it's something I have definitely followed,” he said. “The proof is there that teams have come up from National League and none of them have really struggled in League Two and some have even gone on to League One.”
As Marquis settles in at Kingfield, Woking will be hoping his experience and goal-scoring ability can help the club climb the table and mount a serious play-off challenge this season.