Welling United appoint former Ramsgate title-winning midfielder Lee Martin as their new manager

WELLING UNITED have appointed former Ramsgate title-winning midfielder Lee Martin as their new manager.

 

The 38-year-old has arrived at Park View Road today, as the relegated Vanarama National League South club embark on their maiden Isthmian League Premier Division campaign.

Martin has played for the likes of Manchester United, making three first-team appearances for the Premier League club, Royal Antwerp, Rangers, Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, whilst on loan from the Old Trafford outfit.

He made a permanent move to Ipswich Town in 2009 where he made over 100 appearances over a four-year spell, which included a loan stay with Charlton Athletic during the 2010-11 season.

Martin spent three years with Millwall before he turned out for Northampton Town, Gillingham and Exeter City, before moving into non-league football here in Kent, playing for Ebbsfleet United, Dover Athletic, Ashford United and Ramsgate.

Martin made 78 appearances in the last two seasons at Ramsgate, helping Ben Smith’s side claim the Isthmian League South East Division title last month.

“I’m making that transition from playing into management and I’m delighted to get it over the line – I can’t wait to get started,” said Martin in a statement.

“The rebuild has started. We’re ahead of the curve in terms of recruitment. We’ve highlighted some good players and the big things we’re going after now is character.  We want good characters around the place because we want to merge the players and supporters back together.

“The fans are fundamental to what we want to create here. By all accounts, there’s been a disconnect and we want them to feel apart of us so we can be one team together."

Martin revealed what style of play the Wings will play in the seventh-tier of English football next season.

“We want to have control of possession. We want to be aggressive, play through the thirds and create goalscoring opportunities.

“We want supporters to be coming here excited, watch an entertaining game of football and one in which we score plenty of goals.”

Martin will be assisted by his former team-mate, Welling-born Billy Bingham, 34, who enjoyed a career as a midfielder for Dagenham & Redbridge, Crewe Alexandra, Gillingham, Bromley and Faversham Town, before taking a step away from football through business commitments.

Visit Welling United’s website: www.wellingunited.com