Having escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth, the new Welling United directors are determined that their supporters won’t have to go through another season like the last one.

Chairman, Paul Whitehead, and the rest of the board are working tirelessly on both the commercial side, and to make Park View Road more spectator friendly.

Whitehouse said “My priority is to get more families and kids into the ground. I want to try and get the crowds into four figures by the end of the season. That’s my goal along with being more competitive on the pitch.”

A temporary covered end is being built at the road end of the ground, a scoreboard is to be erected, and the club shop has been moved to make space for a large marquee to cover a new outside bar, which will have heating in the winter.

Last season, the pitch was one of the worst in the league and big investment has been made in improving it for next season to such an extent that no home pre-season games will be played this season.

On the playing front, manager Warren Feeney’s squad is taking shape. Whitehead said: “Player recruitment is progressing, and the core of the squad is now in place. Warren wanted it done early so that he can work with them in pre-season rather than the games be trials. However, there is still room should someone come in and really impress.”

Goalkeeper Sam Jackson, and full backs Aaron Barnes and Chi Ezennolim have been retained. Centre back Taylor Curran has also signed after ending the season on-loan from Maidstone United.

At the back, Rob Howard, Taofiq Olomoweme, Manny Parry and Rob Strachan will be fighting it out with Curran for the centre back positions. In midfield, former Colchester United player Tyrique Hyde has joined from Dartford, along with ex-Bromley box-to-box player Taylor Maloney who spent last season at Lewes.

Up front, also signing after leaving Dartford is Ade Azeez, who was their leading scorer last season. He has been joined by Stefan Payne who finished last season on loan at Havant and Waterlooville from Chesterfield. Ashley Nzala has stepped up from Brentwood Town to compete for a place in the forward line.

Youngsters Cameron Andrews and Lucas Atkins have been promoted from the Welling United academy to join the squad as the Wings look keen to create a pathway for the talented youth players.

Their pre-season campaign starts on Tuesday night with a game at Cray Wanderers.