We'll be ready to rumble by Sunday, says Welling United captain Jack Parkinson

WELLING UNITED captain Jack Parkinson says he has been gripped with excitement ahead of their Blue Square Bet South Play-Off Final showdown at Dartford on Sunday afternoon.



Jamie Day’s side travel to Princes Park Stadium to contest the winner-takes-all Kent showdown, with a place in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) Premier up for grabs for the winner.

Welling United finished their league campaign in third-place, seven points behind runners-up Dartford and the club have sold all of their 1,000 ticket allocation for the SOLD-OUT showdown.

Parkinson, 22, would like to be part of the team that brings top-flight non-league football back to Park View Road after a twelve year absence.

He said:  “I’m Looking forward to it.  It should be a good atmosphere.  We’ll be training tonight and we’ll be ready to rumble by Sunday.

“I suppose being two local teams, obviously now that the game’s been sold out adds a little bit of extra spice and that to it. I don’t think there’s any bad blood between the two teams.  It will be a good game.

“Quite rightly the team that finished second are playing the team finishing third, so it should be good.”

Parkinson admits Sunday’s game – in front of a passionate crowd of 4,000 – will be the biggest in his career to date.

“It’s nice that the game has sold out,” he said. “It shows that both teams are well supported.  Dartford have got a fantastic support and they’ve shown that consistently all year.  Our supporters have been fantastic as well all season and they’ve shown they’ve come out in good numbers again so that’s added spice and atmosphere to the game.

When asked what kind of game he is expecting during KENT’S BIGGEST EVER DERBY, Parkinson replied, “That’s hard to say really.  I would have thought it will be quite edgy being a final.  At the same time its two good sides.  We feel if we can perform how we can do there’s no reason why we can’t come away how we want it to.

“It will be a tough game. Dartford are a physical side who we have to match up on that way and if we can get the ball down and play hopefully we can show people what we’re good at.

“We’ve done great!  We’ve finished third and beat our points total from last year, which has been fantastic and if we can get something out of Sunday’s game to top it all off, it will be brilliant!

Welling United defeated Sutton United 2-1 on aggregate, while Dartford beat in-form Basingstoke Town 3-1 on aggregate to set up the dream final.

When asked what kind of game he is excepting against Tony Burman’s Darts, Parkinson replied, “No different to be honest with you!  The first game against Sutton I thought we done really well. We had a right good go and we came away with a good lead and we were quite resilient last Sunday at home. We weren’t at our best by any stretch of the imagination, but we defended quite well and we thought we deservedly came out from the two legs with the result we wanted.

“I’m sure the lads’ will be firing and ready to go and if we can perform the way we can do we’re quite positive we can get a good result.”

Parkinson knows what this fixture means to both sets of supporters as he lives in Orpington, but players from further afield will know what this game means to everybody here in Kent.

“When it comes to this stage and you come to this game of this calibre it doesn’t matter where you live,” said Parkinson.

“I think everyone will be excited as the next one when you’re on the pitch. It’s a battle.  It’s the team who works the hardest.  Everything goes out of the window and does what they’re good at will come away with the victory.

“I know we keep going on about it being sold out and I’m sure everyone involved with both clubs, supporters wise and neutrals, everyone is looking forward to a good game.”

Welling United are being put through their paces at training tonight to fine tune what the Welling United fans hope turn out to be a glorious day for the club.

Parkinson said:  “We’re training tonight.  We trained in the week and we’re all preparing for Sunday the best we can and it’s just the countdown now until we can get to the ground.

“Training was good.  It’s funny that when you get to this stage of the season you can see the difference.  Everyone’s a little bit more bubbly, the sessions are sharp. 

“I don’t think the lads are nervous.  I think the lads are excited. It’s a big game.  More than anything it’s a chance for the lads and the team can show what we can do, hopefully.”

Parkinson would love to play in the top flight of non-league football with Welling United next season.

He said:  “I can’t speak for the club but as an individual you want to try and play at the highest level you can and if you can do that with the club you’re at then all the better!”

Welling United’s supporters will be housed at the car park end of Princes Park Stadium on Sunday afternoon and Dartford have asked all supporters to get to the ground early and make their way onto the terracing as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, Welling United’s Park View Road stages two Hospitals Cup Finals next week.

Kent Invicta League outfit Sutton Athletic – who have already lifted the Kent Air Ambulance Challenge Shield this season – face Viewpoint in the Senior Section Final next Tuesday, 15 May.

Pavillion face Phoenix Sports in the Junior Section Final next Friday, 18 May.  

Both games kick-off at 7:45pm.

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

Dartford  v  Welling United
Blue Square Bet South Play-Off Final
Sunday 13^th May 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT