Chapple is now an ambassador for Woking

Former Woking manager Geoff Chapple has paid tribute to his former assistant Colin Lippiatt, who died at the age of 68 last week.

The duo oversaw promotion to the Conference and three FA Trophy victories during 12 years in charge.

Chapple told BBC Surrey: "I'm absolutely devastated at the news. It's such a shame for family, friends, and everyone in football who knew him.

"We had some lovely times together and lovely memories."

He added: "We had our ups and downs but we were like a couple of brothers.

"It's a very, very sad loss."

Chapple took over the club in the 1984/85 season, and Lippiatt joined him in 1986. They achieved promotion to the Conference in 1992.

The duo led Woking to the fourth round of the FA Cup in 1991, beating West Bromwich Albion 4-2 at The Hawthorns on the way.

They departed for Kingstonian at the end of the 1996/97 season after three FA Trophy wins in four years.

Lippiatt also spent time at Yeovil and St Albans

Lippiatt returned to manage the Cards in March 2000 before reverting to number two when Chapple took over the hotseat in 2001/02.

Lippiatt went on to take a role of football technical director at the club.

His memory will be marked with a minute's applause at Woking's FA Cup tie against Eastleigh at Kingfield on Saturday.

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