Welling United boss Jamie Day urges fans to support warm-up fixtures

Sunday 11th July 2010

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day says he wants supporters to flock through the turnstiles this season - starting on Tuesday night when neighbours Charlton Athletic visit Park View Road, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Wings boss fielded a 21-man squad (himself included) during a comfortable 3-1 win at Herne Bay yesterday, and look forward to the visit Npower League One Charlton Athletic.

“It’s a good game for us again on Tuesday,” Day, who got through a 45 minute shift during the first half at Winch’s Field, told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“They’re entitled to win because they’re a much bigger club than we are, but it’s a good work out for us and it gives an opportunity for our lads to play against higher level players and show what they can do.

“I think fitness wise we done ok (against Herne Bay), we looked pretty sharp. We’ll see how fit we are against players that have been training every day.

Day admitted yesterday that he would like to keep all of the players that featured against Simon Halsey’s Herne Bay - but he may have to whittle his squad down to 18 or 16 due to his budget.

“If possible, I’d like to keep all of them but I know that won’t be the case,” he said.

“I’d have to narrow it down to at best 18, so we’ve got some tough decisions to make in the next couple of weeks.”

The Wings are hoping the visits of Charlton Athletic, Millwall (20 July) and Arsenal (24 July) bring in the crowds to assist Day with his squad re-building.

He said: “If the money from the gates is good and we can keep a few more than we’ll look to do that, but I think realistically we’ve got to be looking to have a squad of 18. It could even be down to 16, I’m not quite sure.”

The fixture against Premier League giants Arsenal is likely to be a sell-out, with tickets already on sale from Park View Road offices.

Day, who began his career with the Gunners said: “They said to me if they can ever do me a favour then they would and I’m grateful to them for giving us that chance to play them.

“Whatever team they put out - I think it will be fringe players and their best young players - I think they’re going to give us a decent game.

“Again, I want people to come out and watch and see what young talent Arsenal have got and cheer us on as well.”

Preparing for their Blue Square Bet South campaign which kicks off with a home clash against Hampton & Richmond Borough on 14 August, Day appreciates that the league will certainly be the one to watch this season.

The Wings will be joined by Kent rivals Bromley, Dartford, Dover Athletic and Ebbsfleet United this season and that can only be good for everyone.

“I think the league’s better this year,” said Day. “I think travel wise it’s not so far, there’s only one or two long journeys and we’ve got clubs that are local to us that will attract good gates both home and away.

“There’s going to be three or four good local derbies, I think it will be a good season crowd wise. Hopefully we can kick on from last year.”

Day added: “I said last year when we go away from home the away fans are fantastic. We just have to recreate that at home.

“Sometimes it’s a little bit quiet, people get a little frustrated at home because we’re expected to win but again there was great support (at Herne Bay) and we need that to continue throughout the whole season.”

Looking ahead to his first full season in charge - with Barry Ashby and Dean Frost coaching inside the technical area - the trio certainly picked up where the side need to improve.

“I think we’ve learnt we need a couple of bigger players in our squad this year,” said Day.

“I think we need a bigger squad. As much as we like to play football we have to mix our game up as well. We didn’t cope with the bigger and stronger sides last year and we’ve got to do that this year and I think if we can we put ourselves in with a decent chance.”

Predicting the season ahead, Day added: “It’s going to be difficult. I think there’s ten teams that are similar sort of sides so I think it’s going to be tough this year.

“We’ve got a squad at the minute that’s capable of getting into the top ten. We’ve got to hopefully keep the players that we’ve got on show and see if we can break into the top six.”

Admission prices for the games against Charlton, Millwall and Arsenal have been confirmed as £11 (adults), £6 (concessions) with £2 extra for seating.

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

Welling United v Charlton Athletic

Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday 13th July 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY