Less than a week after raising the Blue Square Bet South trophy, Welling United manager Jamie Day took the tough decisions in releasing three of his victorious squad.

The first announcement was the departure of Jon Main. This was followed on Friday by news that Scott Kinch and Ben Martin would not be offered new contracts.

Jon Main was a Welling player for just the one season. Although only starting twice in the league he came on as a substitute on twenty occasions, scoring four times.

Four full cup appearances, with another two as substitute, brought three further goals. His late strikes at home to Sutton United and Staines Town were vital to Welling’s campaign.

Scott Kinch joined the club mid-way through the 2011/12 season and was instrumental in Welling reaching the play-off decider last season.

The midfield enforcer started twenty-one league and cup games and made nine further appearances as a substitute in Welling’s title winning campaign. He netted three times, his goals at home to Billericay Town and away to Eastleigh being especially memorable. His final game booking for an apparent planting of a kiss on the Eastleigh goalkeeper will also cause terrace reminiscing in years to come.

Ben Martin made his Welling United bow at the back end of the 2010/11 campaign and has enjoyed two full seasons at Park View Road. He was signed by Swindon Town from Aylesbury United in the early part of his career but did not make a first team appearance in his year there.

He was integral to the Wings’ championship winning team and was named as Pure Bar’s (Welling’s sponsors) player of the season. He made a total of 35 league and cup starts and came on from the bench a further three times. His forays forward for corners and free kicks brought him four goals.

Whilst it might appear surprising that the announcements came so soon after the celebrations, it gives the three players the maximum possible time to weigh up their options and fix themselves up with new clubs.

Messages on social media websites and the Welling United fans forum make it very clear how popular they are and that they will be made very welcome whenever they return to Park View Road.

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.