It’s been a busy but exciting few weeks at Welling United Football Club since the end of the 2021/22 season, with our Vanarama National League South status still intact.

We have a new chairman, Paul Whitehead, who replaced Mark Goldberg and now spearheads the club’s new look operational board. Paul’s first job was to oversee the extension of the boss, Warren’s Feeney’s stay at Park View Road into next season. This ensures stable first team management as we prepare for 2022/23.

Our stadium is undergoing much needed improvement work, as Jordan’s Sports Ground Solutions relay the pitch and we also had an exceptional group of volunteers chip in to clear up on the morning of Saturday 28th May.

We also can’t wait for fans to see the new cover for the stand at the Park View Road end to keep you dry throughout the season. Thank you to Dan and the team at MKS Scaffolding for all their work and support on the project. For sponsorship opportunities, please email secretary@wellingunited.com in the first instance.

The playing squad is also taking shape with new arrivals, current Wings players extending their deals to keep them at the club into next season and a couple of academy graduates making the step up to the first team.

Forward, Ashley Nzala was the first new face, arriving from Brentwood Town. Ashley was instrumental in Brentwood reaching last season’s Isthmian North play off final in which the side lost out to Canvey Island.

Midfielder, Tyrique Hyde and forward, Ade Azeez both swapped Dartford for Welling after helping the Darts reach the National League South play offs last season.

Full back, Rob Howard has signed from Southend United, while defender, Rob Strachan is back at Welling United, having spent time on loan with us during the curtailed 2020/21 season.

Manny Parry, who plays in the centre of defence, joins having recently been released by National League side Maidenhead United, while we also welcome another former National League defender in the shape of Taofiq Olomowewe, whose contract at Weymouth expired last month.

We are also delighted to confirm that Aaron Barnes, Sam Jackson, Taylor Curran and Chi Ezennolim will all remain as Wings players next season, having agreed new deals.

Academy alumni, Cameron Andrews and Lucas Atkins will both be part of Warren Feeney’s 2022/23 squad, underlying the strong pathway from the academy to the first team.

Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye to last season’s Player of the Year and top goalscorer Dipo Akinyemi, who has moved to Scottish Championship outfit, Ayr United. It was Akinyemi’s 18 goals in 37 league appearances that helped to secure our survival in the league and we wish him all the best in his future career.

A further six have also left for pastures new, Mason Saunders-Henry, Ade Shokunbi and Ben Allen join National League South rivals in Tonbridge Angels, Hampton and Richmond and Hungerford Town respectively. Tom Derry has left for Cray Wanderers, Bradley Pearce to Carshalton Athletic and Bradley Stevenson has moved on to Billericay Town.

Don’t forget, you can also follow the club’s social media channels for all latest news and updates from Park View Road!