Welling Town chairman Kevin Oakes agrees groundshare deal closer to home at Phoenix Sports

WELLING TOWN chairman Kevin Oakes says he has reached an agreement to play their home games at Phoenix Sports next season.

“We’re very grateful to (Phoenix Sports chairman) Andrew Mortlock and his colleagues for allowing us to join as their tenants,” said Oakes in a statement.

“We’ve moved around a fair amount in our short history, not always because we wanted to, and attempts to work together a few years ago sadly didn’t quite pan out, but we’ve always maintained contact and thankfully in recent weeks have agreed a deal, which will benefit both clubs moving forwards.

“Being closer to home (in Barnehurst) will allow us to improve our fan base as well as other off-field fund-raising opportunities and have a base closer to our natural town and where our main player pool of contacts has always been.

“In doing so, we look forward to helping support Phoenix as they re-join the Isthmian League and congratulate them on their recent successful promotion campaign.  It’s a long overdue and very welcomed opportunity for both clubs to be bigger and better next season.”

Welling Town completed their Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division campaign in the bottom three, having collected 34 points from their 38 games.

Canterbury City (31 points) and K Sports (22) slipped through the relegation trap door.

Welling Town have played in Thamesmead and Chatham since joining the National League System.

Visit Welling Town’s website: www.wellingtown.co.uk