Welling United’s 2024/25 season gets under way with a clash against Aveley at Park View Road on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

The eagerly-awaited start of the new Vanarama National League South campaign is finally upon us and Rod Stringer’s new-look Wings side will be looking to hit the ground running at home in DA16.

After a promising pre-season campaign, a number of new faces could be in line to make their competitive debuts for the club this weekend, while Stringer will be checking on the fitness of Dave Winfield, Anthony Grant, Oscar Borg and Teddy Perkins, who have all sat out with knocks at the back end of the summer.

THE OPPOSITION

Aveley are coming into their second season at step two following an impressive first campaign last term in which they finished seventh, securing a play-off berth.

Ultimately, their campaign ended in a play-off quarter-final defeat at the hands of Maidstone United, but it remained an achievement and the Millers will be looking to build on their success with a similar performance in 2024/25.

Their pre-season programme saw them play eight games, winning three (against Dagenham & Redbridge, Redbridge and Colchester United U21s), drawing three (against Billericay Town, Canvey Island and Cheshunt) and losing two (against St Ives Town and Hashtag United).

LAST TIME OUT

Last season saw the Wings share a 2-2 draw with Aveley at Parkside in December, before the Millers came out on top at Park View Road with a 3-1 win in January.

The Wings were made to pay for some early defensive errors, finding themselves 3-0 down in the first half and giving themselves too much of an uphill battle to climb.

And despite a spirited second half performance that saw Kain Adom pull a goal back from the spot, Welling could not find a way to turn the deficit around.

TICKETS

Tickets for the opening-day clash against Aveley are available to purchase online in advance and will also be available for cash and card at the turnstiles on the day of the match with a £1 increase on adult, student and concession tickets.

Tickets bought online in advance are priced £16 adults, £11 concessions and students and £8 U18s, while U11s go free with an accompanying adult.

Click here to get your tickets for the Wings v Aveley

OTHER INFO

The new-look Fans Zone marquee will be open for all supporters ahead of kick-off with a variety of alcoholic drinks on offer, while the Urban Street Food and Japanese street food vans will both be offering tasty food options throughout the afternoon.

Big screens will be on in both the Fans Zone and Wings Bar, while two darts boards are available for fans to go head-to-head with their friends.

Meanwhile, the first edition for the new season of the club’s official matchday programme, ‘The Wings’, will be available to purchase inside the ground for £3.