Eight days after the departure of Warren Feeney as Welling United team manager, the club announced Danny Bloor as his replacement.

After recently, and surprisingly, losing the management role at Eastbourne Borough, he was the first choice to replace Feeney after a number of candidates were interviewed.

He took the hot seat at Eastbourne Borough three and a half seasons ago and saved them from the drop. That was followed by three consecutive top eight finishes before the Sports decided on a change of strategy, a decision that did not go down well with many of their supporters.

His previous experience has included stints at Worthing, Lewes and Eastbourne Town.

Following his appointment, Bloor told the Welling United website “I’m absolutely delighted. I’m delighted to be here and I’m already looking forward to that first pre-season friendly.

“The thing I can emphasise is that players have to run, they have to work, they have to be proud to wear the shirt and that won’t be any different here at Welling United.

“I want the people of Welling to come and get behind us. I can’t guarantee we’ll win every game, that’s a fact in football, but I can guarantee they will have a side that will work hard and give everything for the cause.”

Bloor has work to do in building his squad with the start of pre-season training imminent. He only has four players have been announced as having signed for 2023-24 but it does mean that he can sign those who fit his preferred style of play.

Some of his memories of games against the Wings will be mixed. Two seasons ago, Eastbourne won two-nil at Park View Road and raced into a three goal lead in thirty-three minutes in the return game. They held that lead until eight minutes remained but were stunned when the Wings pulled back the deficit in a devastating five minute spell.

Then last season, the Wings claimed a hard fought only goal victory at Priory Lane, and followed up with a similar score-line at Welling which effectively ended the Sports’ play-off hopes.

Over the next few days, Bloor is expected to name the rest of his management team. One person who will not be part of the team is Sam Cox, assistant manager last season, who has announced that he is heading for pastures new.

Picture supplied by Michael Brown.