Danny Wakeling leaving for Welling Town has come out of the blue for extremely disappointed Kent Football United

KENT FOOTBALL United officials say they are extremely disappointed to lose their manager Danny Wakeling to newly-promoted Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side Welling Town.

The Boots parted company with title-winning manager Louis Dean on Tuesday due to financial issues. He was in charge for just 17 games, winning 12 and losing only two games since replacing Richard Dimmock in November 2018.

Welling Town have prised Wakeling away from Dartford based Kent Football United, who are upset losing their manager with their pre-season preparations underway.

“The club are extremely disappointed to announce that first team manager Danny Wakeling is leaving for Welling Town along with his entire back room staff with just a month to go before the season starts,” said a club statement.

“It has come completely out of the blue with no warning despite positive plans, pre-season training starting, matches booked and us entering a development side in the Bromley & South London Football League, which we will now to have to remove at our cost.

“We were hoping to build on the fantastic second half of the season last year but this has now come as a major set-back.

“The club will be holding an emergency meeting this evening to discuss the route forward.

“Our plans to develop the ground will go on as planned and we will continue the fantastic work and positivity we have had since May.”

Kent Football United finished in the bottom five in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division last season, having collected 36 points from their 34 league games.

Welling Town are preparing life in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division for the first time and owner Kevin Oakes is pleased to get his man.

Oakes has sacked two managers in Richard Dimmock and Dean despite them guiding the Thamesmead based club to the top of the First Division table during their time at the club.

“A warm welcome to incoming first team manager Danny Wakeling, who joins us having previously been with Kent Football United and Bromelians (and FC Elmstead) and looks to continue the excellent work of his predecessors,” said Oakes.

“Danny brings a wealth of management experience at varying levels of the game and a strong team of staff behind him, who are eager to hit the ground running with pre-season training ahead of our opening friendly.”

Welling Town welcome First Division side Kennington to Bayliss Avenue on Saturday 13 July.

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