Wings unveil Day as their new manager

Wednesday 04th November 2009

WELLING UNITED have today appointed Jamie Day as the surprise new manager at the struggling Park View Road club, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 30-year-old midfielder has been playing Ryman Premier League football for Dartford this season, but has had his contract terminated by the Princes Park club to enable him to take the reigns at his former club.

The Blue Square South side received 51 applications for the role, but opted for Day to replace Andy Ford, who resigned last month.

Day will be best known by the Park View Road faithful as the stalwart midfielder that had a spell that lasted three seasons with the Wings, after being signed by former England international Paul Parker in May 2004.

Day eventually made over 130 appearances and scored just fewer than 20 goals in all competitions for the Wings.

Day went on to have playing spells at Grays Athletic, Eastbourne Borough and has helped Dartford go thirteen points clear at the top of the Ryman Premier League table.

His career started as a graduate of the England School of Excellence at Lilleshall, alongside famous players such as Wes Brown and Michael Owen.

During his youth days, he was in the Arsenal youth squad and won caps for England at under-16, under-17 and under-18 levels and signed for AFC Bournemouth for a £20,000 transfer fee in 1999, and then switched to Dover Athletic at the start of the 2001-02 season.

Wings co-owner Barrie Hobbins told BBC Radio Kent today: "You have to have someone you know you can work with and Jamie fits that bill."

Mr Hobbins added that the final decision was between Day and former Ebbsfleet assistant Alan Kimble, who was forced to leave Stonebridge Road during the summer due to extensive budget cuts at the Blue Square Premier club.

Caretaker boss Lee Protheroe and Sittingbourne manager Gary Abbott had also wanted the job but did not make it to the final two.

"There were several other very strong candidates, but they (Day and Kimble) were the two we came down to.

"It was very difficult because Alan had good qualifications, was very enthusiastic and we spent some time discussing it with him," said Hobbins.

"Alan was very disappointed. He understands being a football person and we wish him well but we just think Jamie's the right choice with the added bonus of being a player, if not all the time, some of the time.

"He's very well know locally and in coaching circles."

Hobbins added that he was confident Day would succeed in what will be his first managerial role.

"His character's first class, his playing ability has always been first class, as has his coaching.

"He's setting out on the managerial trail for the first time, which is always a gamble from his point of view as well as ours. But we're confident that he's the right person to have at this time and someone who can pick up the club from where it is at the present time."

In a club statement, Mr Hobbins added, “His knowledge of the local football scene, his coaching abilities plus the fact he can still play made him the suitable man for the job.

“However, the fact that he is a young and ambitious manager, already knows the club and has been highly recommended throughout the football community is what made Jamie Day the outstanding candidate.”

He added, “The club would like to announce their appreciation for Dartford Football Club, who will release Jamie from his commitments at the Darts.”

The Wings would also like to thank Lee Protheroe who took over as caretaker manager when Ford departed.

“Lee put in his all for the club and Welling are extremely grateful for all his hard work in this role,” added Mr Hobbins.

Protheroe took charge of three games, against Chelmsford City (lost 1-3), Havant & Waterloovile (2-2) and won his only game last weekend as Loui Fazakerley’s strike secured a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Lewes at Park View Road.

Day, an academy coach at Dartford, is expected to confirm his assistant manager shortly, and will take charge of his first game on Saturday - a long trip to Worcester City.

The Wings are in 17th place in the Blue Square South table with a record of four wins and two draws from 15 games, one place and one point above Worcester.

The Wings are currently three points above the relegation zone.

Quotes courtesy of Welling United’s website: www.wellingunited.com

Quotes courtesy of BBC Radio Kent - www.bbc.co.uk/kent/sport

Worcester City v Welling United

Blue Square South

Saturday 7th November 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At St George’s Lane, Worcester, WR1 1QT