We have to drive forward and finish in the play-offs, says Welling United boss Jamie Day

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day says he doesn’t want his side to throw away all of their hard work and miss out on the play-offs at the end of the season, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Wings go into Christmas sitting in second place in the Blue Square Bet South table with 43 points from 21 games, ten points behind leaders Woking.

“At Christmas time where we are in the league, we’re more than happy.  We’ve got a good points total at the minute,” reflected Day.

“We’re only halfway through and there’s a long way to go but it’s going to be difficult to catch Woking but we’ll have a go, so hopefully we can win a few more games and get a play-off place.”

Welling United will attract their largest crowd of the season when neighbours Dartford visit Park View Road on Boxing Day (1pm).

“Obviously both teams are going well in the league, it’s a local derby so hopefully it will be a big crowd and hopefully we can put a performance on,” added Day.

When asked his aspirations for the New Year, Day replied, “As a club and as a team we have to drive forward and we’ve got to try to maintain this position.  We have to look with the points we’ve got we have to look to get into the play-off places now.  If we don’t it will be very disappointing from our point of view as we’ve got ourselves in a good position halfway through it so I think for us that’s what we have to look to do.

“I think as a club every year so far we’ve progressed.  I’d like to think that last year we’ve put in a good progression.  I’m not too sure where we was at this time last year but I’d like to think that we’re going in the right direction and we want to take the club forward again next year.”

Meanwhile, Day confirmed that the club hasn’t received any offers for 19-goal striker, Andy Pugh.

He said: “We haven’t had anyone who has shown any real interest but if he carries on scoring then I’ve got no doubt someone will take notice.”

But the Wings are expected to hand goalkeeper Nick Pope, 19, his debut against fourth-placed Dartford on Boxing Day, having agreed a 28-day loan period with neighbouring Championship leaders Charlton Athletic.

Pope has replaced Dan Thomas, who has returned to AFC Bournemouth, although it is believed that John Whitehouse will have regained his fitness following injury by the time that Pope’s loan deal expires.

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

Welling United  v  Dartford
Blue Square Bet South
Boxing Day, Monday 26^th December 2011
Kick Off 1:00pm
at Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY