Welling United are delighted to announce a new Operational Board to help oversee the growth of the club off the pitch with an emphasis on fan engagement and working within the community.

The board comprises of eight members, all with a background of supporting the Wings and each possessing a variety of skills and experience with the ambition to help move the club forward towards an exciting future.

Meet the board…

Howard Prosser

I am the proud chairman of Welling United Football Club and I’m delighted to have a fantastic new operational board made up of dedicated individuals working together as one united team, focusing on delivering for the fans and moving the club forward.

I am dedicated to the long-term success of our fantastic football club and I will do whatever it takes to make our club feel like a community hub to everyone, while securing the long-term future of Welling United. Alongside myself, the dynamic board has been put together to enhance the unique attributes of all, enabling us to work together as a united club, prioritising the fans and the security of our club with every decision.

We have a dedicated team of individuals with bright ideas to contribute, bringing a new sense of life in and around the club going forward. I cannot wait to embark on this new journey together, connecting our fans back with the club they love. We have the potential to build something great if we all get involved in the project and share the same aims and objectives together.

Sally Kirkpatrick

Having lived in Welling all my life, my hubby and I started watching Welling regularly about 14 years ago once my daughters were old enough to leave on their own without killing each other!  I joined the WUSA committee to help voice the needs of females and youngsters- mainly toilets!

With my husband Davy, we first volunteered on matchdays selling raffle tickets and for the last few years have brought a regular income to WUSA selling 50/50 tickets and being a welcoming face to visitors as they come through the turnstile.

I hope to continue putting the female fans’ points of view forward to improve the matchday experience for everyone (oh and of course the toilets!).

Matt Mein

I have supported the Wings since watching my first game back in 1983. I am one of the founding members of Welling United Supporters Association back in 2010 and have been Chairman since its formation. I took up my position on the Welling United board in 2011 and I’ve a relentless ambition to see our club progress both on and off the pitch to the highest levels.

I am an Event Director in my day job and organise a large garden trade event at NEC Birmingham, I am passionate about making sure our supporters will get the best experience both on and off the pitch to create the best matchday experience we can.

My proudest moment was steering the club through challenging times during Covid and making sure we could continue playing on the pitch and working to make sure football could continue be played at Welling.

I am always prepared to go the extra mile for our club, whether its moving beer barrels, painting walls, digging, building and repairing – nothing is too much!

Sam Samuel

I have supported the Wings over the last three years and was hooked into the club as a sponsor through hmy company Edward Ashdale Estate Agents, based in Bromley.

An ex-serviceman having joined the Royal Navy in my formative years, I served for six years before working for Southwark Housing and subsequently moved into the private sector. I played football for a host of clubs including Waterloo and Maidstone United and now enjoy watching the beautiful game and playing golf in my spare time.

I live in nearby in Bexley with my family; wife Michaela, daughter Chloe, two French Bulldogs and a tortoise. I hope to bring commercial and marketing experience, whilst sharing the positive attitude of fellow board members committed to providing a better experience for fans and visitors at Welling United Football Club.

‘UP THE WINGS!’

Andrew Nicholson

I’ve been supporting Welling for about 39 years and I’ve been a season-ticket holder for most of that time. For the last 30 years I’ve also been sponsoring matches and matchballs, which has given me an insight beyond my usual perspective from behind the goal.

I grew up in Welling, although I now live just outside Epsom. I’m about to retire from a legal role within the courts and tribunal service and I wanted to become more involved with the club, as I’m now going to have the time to commit to it. I was therefore both surprised and delighted when I was asked to give Howard a call, and he invited me to join the new board.

I believe communication with supporters is essential, as it’s never been a strong point at Welling. If we understand the reason for a decision we are more likely to accept it, even if we don’t agree with it. I’m not afraid of expressing a controversial opinion, if I believe it to be right, and I don’t think anyone I’ve worked with would describe me as a “yes man”.

With the redevelopment, I believe Welling has a bright future to look forward to and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Jake Wright

I am a passionate advocate for communication and togetherness, poised to represent the supporters’ voice on Welling United’s board. I’m committed to fostering strong relationships and ensuring open dialogue between the club and us fans, ready to serve as a bridge for unity and collaboration, ensuring the club we love progresses on this upwards trajectory, enabling stability and the opportunity for long term success for the club we love!

At the age of 18, to say I will be on the board of the football club I love, is a dream come true. I’m humbled and honoured to say the least! I am dedicated to the cause, ready to work hard in a fantastic team of people ensuring the errors of the past never happen again. I cannot wait to see what we can do when we all have the same aim. Let’s do this, Wings!

Nigel Jones

I’ve been following Welling United since the early 80s, I actually moved to Welling in 2017 and in 2019 I became the PA announcer – because of my radio background I was asked if I’d like to be involved with Radio Wings.

I’ve been commentating on Welling games for nearly five years now and it’s been an absolute joy. I’m delighted to be part of the new operational board at the club, I’m hoping to engage with the supporters with any concerns and ideas to make the fans feel really part of the club. I’m also looking to be in contact with local schools and the local community and to make Welling United a place where everyone can come for a great matchday experience with like-minded people.

Dervis Kadir

A qualified accountant and Director of SGR Accountancy Ltd, I’ve been working in accountancy for over 20 years and set up my own firm in mid-2021.

I have been a Welling resident since 2018 and started coming to games at Welling United shortly after. I got more involved with the club in the summer of 2022 when I joined the Welling United Business Club; an initiative hosted at PVR to get more local businesses actively involved with the club. This led to me sponsoring a number of games over the past couple of seasons for both the men’s and women’s teams and now I’m thoroughly enjoying being a regular at PVR.

I’m really excited and honoured to be joining the Board. There is a real buzz around the ground at the moment and I’m looking forward to being part of something that already has solid foundations and is looking to grow off the back of a much improved season, new management team and new faces on and off the pitch. The ground development will take this club into a new era and provide much-needed improved facilities for the team, its fans and, as equally important, the local community.

This new board of directors combines dedicated owners, loyal fans and local professionals who all have common goals – to see Welling United FC grow, succeed and become a local hub all Welling residents can be proud of and I’m looking forward to being part of the driving force to help Welling United achieve these goals.