Welling united was founded in 1963 and their crest is Pegasus, the flying horse, play their home games at Park View Road ground since 1977. Park View previously belonged to the defunct Bexley United, historically called Bexleyheath & Welling.
They joined the Athenian League in 1978. In 1981 they progressed to the Southern Football League Southern Division. The Wings dropped out of the Conference when they were relegated on the last day of the season in 1999-2000 and returned back to the Southern League after a string of bad results.
However, in the season 2003-2004 the Wings finished in the top half of the Southern league Premier Division and were able to claim a place in the newly formed Conference South. Disappointment followed with more games lost than won. Then came the ultimate low that every football fan dreads: a winding up petition issued on the 12 of August 2010 form HMRC.
Supporters clubbed together and were able to raise nearly all the £60,000 owed, but further misery had to be endured with a 5 point deduction and a further £5,000 fine. They managed to overcome all adversity and claimed back their status to the top level of non-league football after securing the Conference South title.
Charlton Athletic and the Wings have been playing pre-season matches for a number of years now. They are designed to introduce our new line- up and give the boys a run at playing a competitive game as well.
Past games have been a one-sided affair. The Valliant has been a comfortable winner, except for one occasion when we were beaten 1-0 and it was an own goal! The manager at the time was Ian Dowie who took over from the departed Les Reed, Alan Pardew, Parkinson and Alan Curbishley, who was our manager for seven seasons guiding the Reds along a very successful campaign in the Premiership. To lose to Welling was very embarrassing simply because of our Premiership status, which sadly ended up in relegation that season.
Charlton, unlike Welling, have enjoyed top flight Football with a Stadium fit for the purpose, something that the Wings unfortunately struggle to compete with. But giving their status and league, I wish them luck in the coming season.
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