We've got a tough start, but hopefully we can get some good results along the way, says Jamie Day

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day says he is happy at Park View Road – but harbours ambitions to manage in the Football League.



The 32-year-old highly-rated midfielder guided the Wings to third-place in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South last season.

But after defeating Sutton United 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the play-offs, their promotion bid was halted in the final as Dartford’s Lee Noble scored within four minutes to leave Welling heartbroken.

When asked how pre-season has been, Day said: “We’ve done reasonably well.  We’ve looked quite sharp in games and I thought we’ve played some good football  at times so obviously pleased and ready to start the season and looking forward to it.

“It’s a long time pre-season. I think we came in a week early this year. It can drag on sometimes.  It can be a little bit false.”

Welling United kick-off their new campaign at home to Bath City on Saturday.

The Romans were relegated from the Blue Square Bet Premier last season, finishing with only Kettering Town below them in the table.

“I think we’ve got a tough month,” said Day, ahead of the opening day clash at Park View Road.

“I think the first five games are all tough games so we know if we don’t perform to the levels expected and the standard we’ve set ourselves then we’re going to come unstuck.

“We know it’s not going to be easy but if we can perform like we have done and the boys’ work hard and give me the same levels of commitment than previously, hopefully we’ll get the right results.”

The Wings then travel to Chelmsford City, a side that finished in sixth-place last season, next Monday.

The Essex outfit only just missed out on a play-off berth after in-form Basingstoke Town went on a good run of late form to snatch fifth-place.

“No doubt they’ll be up there again,” Day said of Chelmsford.

“A good club that are always around the play-offs.  Second game away from home is not going to be easy.

“We’ve got a tough start but hopefully we can get some good results along the way.”

Day says he is targeting another push towards the play-offs this season.

He said: “I think at the start of every season you want to try to win the league.  Obviously there’s a few good teams that are better financially than us but I think realistically we have to try to look to get into the play-offs again and if we do that then it’s been a good season.

“There’s a few clubs spending a bit of money this year and there could be one or two that are a bit better than everyone else.

“But we believe in ourselves and believe we’ve got a good team.

“If we can play as well as we have done and the boys’ work as hard as they did last year, then hopefully we can get into the top-five.”

Day admits his hands are right with his budget – but what he has done alongside Barry Ashby and Dean Frost is remarkable.

He said: “Since I’ve been at Welling, I think this year has been the most difficult. I think there’s probably five or six teams that are having a go at it this year and they’ve spent the money to go and win the league.

“We know as a club we’re not in that bracket. We don’t spend a lot of money, but we’ve got a good group of lads’ who want to work together and have a good team spirit, which counts for a lot at this level.

“I think we’ve got to be realistic and look at clubs who have spent the money and puts them into a better position than us.

“I know my players’ will give me 100% every week and I can’t ask for any more than that and hopefully that puts us where we want to be.”

When asked whether he has received offers from higher-league clubs to prise him away from Park View Road, Day, who has been in charge since November 2009, replied, “I think for me we’ve progressed every year at Welling. I fully understand that the club is not in a financial situation to go and spend loads of money or have a massive budget or pay some of the wages the other clubs are doing but I’m happy where I am.

“But obviously every manager wants to progress as well as players do. I’m enjoying it at Welling. We’ve got a good bunch of lads and looking forward to this year.

“At the end of the day I want to be a League manager, that’s my ambition, so hopefully if we have a good season and the boys’ do well, if we can do it at Welling, great.

“If not, I’m working hard and Dean (Frost) and Ash (Barry Ashby) are working hard and the players’ are working hard.

“You never know where it’s going to take you.  Everyone wants to play or manage at the highest level you possibly can.”

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

Welling United  v  Bath City
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 18^th August 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY