The club is really pleased that Sam Mott has got an England C call-up, says Welling boss Jamie Day

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day spoke of his pride when his goalkeeper Sam Mott was picked for the England C squad on Monday.



The England C squad is made up of players that play non-league football and Mott is the only representative from a Blue Square Bet (Conference) South club in the sixteen-man squad named by boss Paul Fairclough.

England C entertain Turkey in the International Challenge Trophy Semi-Final on Tuesday, 5 February, here in Kent at Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium.

Day signed Mott from neighbouring Ryman League Division One North club Thamesmead Town in the close season after the highly-rated shot stopper spent two seasons at Bayliss Avenue and the 24-year-old has maintained eleven clean sheets in 27 appearances for the Wings this season.

Mott, who began his career as a full-time player at Ebbsfleet United, will be vying for the number one jersey with Preston Edwards, who plays for The Fleet in the division above, the Blue Square Bet (Conference) Premier.

Day said: “The club is really pleased that Sam has got an England C call up.  He is a keeper we had liked for a long time and knew he had the potential to play at our level and higher.

“His attitude since he has arrived has been first class and he works extremely hard with Stacey (Beckham, our goalkeeper coach) and Jamie (Turner) and he is always looking to improve his game further.

“The last two months has seen him play to a high level and we hope that continues along with the clean sheets he has kept along the way.

“He now needs to keep looking to improve his game to the next level which we are confident he can do so we hope this is the first of many call ups.”

Hugo Langton, who runs the Academy at Thamesmead Town as well as being first team coach at Ryman League Division One South side Herne Bay, worked with Mott when he was playing for Thamesmead Town.

Mott’s affection for Thamesmead was evident when he watched their penalty shoot-out win over Ryman Premier League side Thurrock at Bayliss Avenue eight days’ ago.

“I was with Sam while we were both at Thamesmead Town.  To me it was always obvious he had a big future in front of him,” said Langton.

“He clearly has all the technical attributes of a good keeper. Add in his good attitude, his eagerness to improve and the fact he’s a good bloke who’s popular in changing rooms.

“He’s one hell of a stopper when it comes to penalties too. We always won Cup shoot-outs with Thamesmead because Motty was always going to save at least two!  I think we won three shoot-outs that season.

“I’ve been saying for years I think he’s good enough to be a pro keeper and this is definitely a step in that direction for him.

“I’m delighted for him and I hope he keeps pushing his career to another level. He’s worked so hard and that hard work is paying off.

“It’s great for Kent non-league football that he and Preston Edwards are playing for the England C team.”

Mott’s understudy, Jamie Turner, is expected to start for Welling United when they welcome Boreham Wood to Park View Road on the same night as the International, where you can purchase free tickets directly from Dartford Football Club.

Meanwhile, former Welling United goalkeeper, Craig Holloway, was appointed caretaker-manager of Ryman Premier League side Margate today, following Chris Kinnear and Jake Leberl's departure to manage Dover Athletic on Saturday.

Holloway has formed his coaching staff, with Simon Osborn and Danny Hockton leaving Kent League side Erith & Belvedere and Ryman League Division One South Faversham Town respectively to take up roles at Hartsdown Park.

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

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk

For details to obtain FREE tickets visit: www.dartfordfconline.com/site/?q=news/1909