Welling manager Steve King leaves by mutual consent
18:00, 07 June 2019
updated: 18:28, 07 June 2019
Welling boss Steve King has left the club after just one year in charge.
King was appointed last summer and delivered on his remit to take the Wings into the National League South play-offs.
They missed out on promotion after losing 1-0 at Woking in the final last month.
King's departure comes just 12 months after he signed a two-year deal at Park View Road.
In a statement on the club website, chairman Mark Goldberg said: “On behalf of the board, our staff, players and all Wings fans I would like to place on record our thanks to Steve on a fantastic season which saw us win the London Senior Cup for the first time in 29 years and the team just 90 minutes away from achieving promotion to the Vanarama National League. Steve leaves with the best wishes of all of us at Welling United and he will always be warmly welcomed at Park View Road.”
King added: “I am incredibly proud of what we and players achieved last season but now is the right time for myself and the club to take a different path. I’ve had a great time at the football club and we very nearly pulled off the unthinkable. I wish the club every success in the future especially the fans who were fantastic with me from day one.”
The decision to part ways will be a big disappointment to many Welling fans who were impressed with the progress made under King's tenure, the squad overcoming much-publicised budget cuts to finish third in the league.
King said at the time: “It’s been a really tough week, the toughest since I’ve been at the club – having to get rid of people and get rid of my staff that have worked with me for a long time."
Welling lost just twice at Park View Road last season, producing the best home record of any team in National League South. It was Welling's best home record since they won the Conference South title in 2012/13 under Jamie Day.
Wings chairman Mark Goldberg, who has previously managed the club, will now be tasked with appointing a new boss - less than one month until the club play their first pre-season friendly.
