I'll bring success to new-look Wings, vows Smith - EXCLUSIVE

Former Wings boss Pennock, now at Stoke City, just missed out on the play-off’s for the past two seasons, and Bromley resident Smith, who played for Blue Square Premier side Woking last season, believes his new-look Wings side can clinch a play-off place.

“It’s a little bit different, I’m bringing in players that I think could kick on for this season,” Smith said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following their
1-0 win at Ryman Premier League side Folkestone Invicta yesterday.

“I want to keep the momentum going. I thought Adie Pennock - and the boys that we're here last season - done a fantastic job. 

“But I’m just looking at it, myself and (assistant) Stuart (Nethercott) and we want to kick on and try and succeed where (the club) just dropped out for the last couple of seasons - but it will be tough.”

The 35-year-old explained the type of manager that he is.

“I’m a motivator,” he said. “I want the best out of the boys (and) I’ll encourage them, even if mistakes are made for whatever reason. I’ll encourage them to go and get it (the ball) again, because I think a happy player is normally a good player.”

The Blue Square Southern club welcome Ebbsfleet United to Park View Road on Tuesday night - their third warm-up match in six days - before travelling to Maldon Town two night’s later.

It will be Liam Daish’s side’s first outing of their pre-season campaign, and Smith expects another tough work-out.

He said: “Only having the boys two nights a week, you can’t work on everything, and I believe if you’re playing games, you get match fitness and that’s what we need to do.

“It will be another tough game against Ebbsfleet. They’re going to be very fit, very direct, very strong, and we’ll see what the boys are made off.

“Again, results don’t really matter. It’s for me to get another step to get a result against Bognor.”

The Wings welcome Bognor Regis Town to Park View Road on Saturday, 11^th August, and Smith wants to get their league campaign off to a rocking start.

“This is all getting geared for that,” explained Smith. “We could win every (friendly) game, it doesn’t mean anything if you go out and lose your first (league) game against Bognor.

“And we could lose every (friendly) game but it doesn’t matter if we win the first game against Bognor.”

Looking ahead to their league campaign, Smith said: “It will be tough - hopefully we’ll be in there with a shout, a very good shout.

“I’m happy to bring a bit more professionalism to the club. The boys have to look after themselves off the pitch as well as on it.

“And hopefully with the supporters behind us, we’ll all go in the same direction and that’s trying to get success for this club.”

Meanwhile, Welling United’s Capital League reserve side has been put on hold this season due to this year’s structure of the league.

However, the Wings are hoping to arrange reserve team friendlies when required.

The admission prices of this game has been confirmed at £10 (adults) and £6 (concessions), but no extra charge for seating.

Visit club websites:

www.wellingunited.com

www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Welling United v Ebbsfleet United
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 17^th July 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY