The club is heading in the right direction and I'm happy to stay, says Welling boss Jamie Day

WELLING UNITED are delighted to announce that manager Jamie Day has signed a contract to remain in charge at Park View Road until the end of the 2013-14 season.




Day, 33, who took over the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South club in November 2009, is still one of the youngest managers in the country.

But having steered the Wings clear of relegation in his first season and then two campaigns of chasing a play-off spot – which included a 1-0 defeat in front of a full-house at Dartford in last year’s final – the club wanted to show their gratitude for his hard work.

New deals have also been agreed with assistant manager Barry Ashby and coach Dean Frost.

In a statement, which was published on the club’s website, Day said: “It brings stability to the club and it shows that they want to keep me, Barry Ashby and Dean Frost.

“I’ve always said that as long as the club is heading in the right direction and I am happy here then I would stay.

“Off the pitch things are progressing nicely and this is the best year it has been off the pitch since I’ve been in charge.

“For me now, moving to a club at our level would be a sideways step. We’ve got a good team and fan-base here and we want to keep moving forward.”

Meanwhile, Day takes his side to Ryman Premier League strugglers Thurrock on Tuesday night, for a place in the final qualifying round of The FA Cup at stake.

The Essex side came away from Park View Road with a 1-1 draw at the weekend, the Wings securing a draw courtesy of striker Ross Lafayette, a far post header following Jack Obersteller’s corner, after Charlie Stimson gave Thurrock an early lead.

The former Hemel Hemsptead and Wealdstone striker has impressed since joining the club and has scored six goals at the highest level that he’s played at.

Lafayette has been rewarded for his performances in Conference South by signing a contract to stay with Welling United for the rest of the season.

Lafayette said: “It’s good to know in my own mind that I will be here for the rest of the season now.

“It’s all done and I don’t have to worry about it. Now the aim is to score as many goals as possible.

“I haven’t thought about leaving – Jamie Day has given me a chance and the lads in the dressing room have been awesome.”

Welling United have been given a massive incentive of winning their FA Cup replay at Thurrock, because they have been given home advantage in the final qualifying round on 20 October.

They will play the winners of Chalfont St Peter and Bishop’s Stortford if they get past Mark Stimson’s side.

Elsewhere, Kent’s two Conference Premier clubs, Dartford and Ebbsfleet United have been handed away ties at League rivals Forest Green Rovers and Woking respectively.

Meanwhile, Bromley who came away from Dover Athletic with a 2-1 win at the weekend, which was their fifth successive away tie in the past two years, will face Blue Square Bet North side Worcester City at Hayes Lane.

Mark Goldberg has guided Bromley to the First Round three times in the past six years but have lost to Gillingham, Colchester United and Leyton Orient and the club have not beaten a Football League club in the FA Cup in their history.

Visit Welling United’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/wellingutd

Thurrock  v  Welling United
The FA Cup with Budweiser Third Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 9^th October 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
At South Way, Ship Lane, Purfleet, Essex RM19 1YN