Welling Town appoint Neil Hunter and Steve Aldridge

WELLING TOWN chairman Kevin Oakes has appointed a new management team tonight.

Neil Hunter and Steve Aldridge have been handed the reigns of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division club that will be playing their home games at Phoenix Sports’ ground in Barnehurst next season.

The pair replace the previous management team of Ryan King-Elliott, Junior James and Bafor Aganbi, who were in charge for 13 games after Oakes stepped down from the manager's role.

King-Elliott's side claimed three wins, three draws and seven defeats as the Boots finished in the bottom three with 34 points from their 38 league games, finishing just three points clear of the relegation zone.

“Their attitudes, application, experience and knowledge will be an asset to the club, now and for the long-term as we look for greater stability and a longer-term approach to progression,” said a club statement.

“Much has changed in recent months with the huge influx of youth sides and development sides, completely unknown and unexpected in early 2023, as well as a subsequent home ground move as a result.

“We must thank the previous regime of Ryan King-Elliott, Junior James and Bafor Aganbi for their sterling work to dig us out of a huge hole earlier this year.

“Your time with us may have been short but your impact was immense and critical. Thank you.

“With so much changing so quickly, a new direction is planned.  Running two development sides for 2023-23 on a Saturday and also midweek, as well as the inclusion of two under 18 and two under 16 sides, the pathway for the future, for players, coaches and managers is greater than ever and this is the way for the club to become sustainable and successful in the longer term and continue the successes of the past slowly but surely.

“With the huge volume of big spending, well and long-established clubs at this level, we must be realistic about what we can achieve in the short-term.  Setting some foundations and having a proper plan is key.

“But as always, we’ll continue to surprise a few in many ways and enjoy doing so.

“So a new era begins.  Welcome Neil and Steve and those within the huge pyramid within the club as we go from three sides to 22 in just a few months. It’s not how we’d planned it some time ago but a larger plan is now set, the ambition and work ethic is there and we’ll go and enjoy 2023-24 and in doming so, achieve more than we ever have before.”

The Boots embark on their pre-season campaign by playing Darrell Queeley’s Forest Hill Park side on Tuesday 4 July (at K Sports).

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