As Lee Allinson's Tudors look to make it four straight victories, their next task comes at Park View Road tomorrow evening, taking on Welling United in our final game of what has been a busy January. Similarly to Hemel, tomorrow's hosts come into this tie on the back of an impressive 1-4 win away at Weston-Super-Mare last weekend. Let's take a deeper look into Rod Stringer's Wings, and what to expect from the matchup...

Founded: 1963 Nickname: The Wings
Stadium: Park View Road
Stadium Capacity: 4,000
Manager: Rod Stringer
History of The Wings
Founded in 1963, Welling United began as a youth team playing in the Eltham and District Sunday League until 1971. They then played in the Metropolitan-London League and London Spartan League Reserve Division One before gaining their senior status in 1976. Just a year later, the Wings moved to Park View Road before a 3 year tenure in the Athenian League. In 1981, Welling progressed to the Southern Football League Southern Division and were promoted to the Football Conference after gaining promotion in the 1985-86 season. The Wings lasted 14 seasons at this level, before their relegation was confirmed in 2000. They were then able to win a place in the newly formed Conference South in 2003, before gaining promotion to the top tier of non league football in the 2012/13 season. However, the Wings lasted 3 seasons at the level as they were relegated to the National League South. They have remained at the level ever since and after a 17th place finish last season, Welling will look to improve upon this as a highly competitive campaign awaits.

The Gaffer - Rod Stringer
Rod Stringer is in his second season as head coach of Welling United, with years of experience managing in non league . His first appointment came at Aveley, before his appointment at Braintree Town at the beginning of the 2010/11 campaign. His longest two terms were at Bishop’s Stortford and Chelmsford City, lasting between 2011 and 2020. After a year at Brentwood, Stringer joined the Wings on January 29th 2024. With a full summer to shape the squad, Stringer will look to improve upon last season’s 17th placed finish.

One To Watch - Gene Kennedy
An opposition player to keep an eye on tomorrow evening, is midfielder, Gene Kennedy. Coming up to almost a year being a Wings player, Kennedy moved to Welling in February 2024, on loan from EFL League Two side, Colchester United. Fast forward to the end of his loan spell in 2023/24, the 21 year-old impressed in his initial short stay at Park View Road leading to the Kent based side snapping up the young midfielder on a permanent basis. Playing for Colchester in his youth career, Kennedy was at The U's for five years before his move to Welling. In that time, a loan spell at National League side, Braintree, also sits on the young midfielder's CV. One of Kennedy's six goals this season, also comes at The Focus where he got on the scoresheet for the visitors in an entertaining 4-2 victory for The Tudors earlier in the season.

The Skipper - Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield has taken the role of captain of Welling United, following the departure of previous captain and former Tudor Mitchell Dickenson. Winfield holds a wealth of experience at both National League and EFL level, working his way through Aldershot Town, before signing for Wycombe Wanderers. Alongside the Chairboys, Winfield has played with AFC Wimbledon, York City and Shrewsbury Town before he signed for Chelmsford City. After spells at Bromley and Romford, Winfield played in his second spell at Chelmsford, before he signed for Welling at the beginning of this season.

Last Time Out - Hemel Hempstead Town 4-2 Welling United
Our most recent outing versus The Wings, dates back to near the beginning of the season where The Tudors ran out 4-2 winners on a victorious evening at The Focus Community Arena. Alfie Cerulli set the tone just eight minutes into the game, letting fly an absolute rocket from the edge of the Welling box, before an equaliser by Anointed Chukwu put the Wings back level just after half-time. A Ricardo German brace put Hemel in a comfortable position just 10 minutes later, but that wasn't the end of the goals. Gene Kennedy made it 3-2 with 5 minutes to go, with everyone on the edge of their seats. Those nerves were soon settled though, as Connor Kurran-Browne's precise finish reinforced The Tudors two goal lead.

For those joining us in Kent tomorrow evening, we hope all have a safe and enjoyable journey. Get behind the boys on the road!
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