Last summer, Welling United Chairman Mark Goldberg and his board appointed Jamie Coyle for his first managerial role.

The season was one of highs and lows as his rebuilt squad flirted with the play-offs before falling a little short.

It appeared that he was building a base for the future when he re-signed Connor Dymond and Jack Jebb so it came as a surprise when it was announced that Coyle would be leaving the club one day later. Following Tony Burman’s decision to end his legendary spell at Dartford, Coyle and former Concord Rangers manager Adam Flanagan have taken the reins.

Goldberg was left in the same position as last season in having to find a new manager but this time he has gone in a different direction by bringing in the experience of Steve King.  He has had two spells as manager of Lewes and his CV also includes spells at Farnborough, Macclesfield Town, Northwich Victoria and Whitehawk.

King said “I left Whitehawk last week. I had a number of phone calls. Quite a few from all over the country to be fair. Mark (Goldberg, Welling Chairman) approached me and said could we have a meet and we had a meeting. I liked the idea of what Mark’s trying to do, the project. Mark sold it from there.”

He continued “I can bring experience. I’m a successful manager at the level we’re in. I’ve finished first, second, third, fourth and fifth and four play-off finals. I’ll bring attacking entertaining football.”

He has started building a squad by signing four new players. Goalkeeper Daniel Wilks has been joined by fellow former Hawk Jordan Gibbons, exciting Worthing wide player Zack Newton and full back Craig Braham-Barrett for his third spell with the club having played for Chelmsford City in the 2017-18 season.

Further signings will be delayed until he has spoken to the remaining players from last season and he also hopes to be able to name his full management squad by the end of the week.