One-time Manchester United midfielder Lee Martin who counts Gillingham, Dover Athletic and Ebbsfleet United among former clubs takes charge at Welling United following National League South relegation

A former Gillingham, Dover, Ebbsfleet, Ashford and Ramsgate midfielder has been handed his first managerial role as he takes over at Welling.

Lee Martin, 38, replaces Rod Stringer ahead of the Wings’ 2025/26 Isthmian Premier season, in which the club will aim to rebuild after National League South relegation.

“I’m making that transition from playing into management and I’m delighted to get it over the line,” said Martin as his appointment was announced on Saturday morning. “I can’t wait to get started.

“The rebuild has started. We’re ahead of the curve in terms of recruitment.

“We’ve highlighted some good players and the big thing we’re going after now is character.

“We want good characters around the place because we want to merge the players and supporters back together.

“The fans are fundamental to what we want to create here.

“By all accounts, there’s been a disconnect and we want them to feel a part of us so we can be one team together.”

Martin enjoyed a successful playing career, having started with Manchester United, making three first-team appearances for the Premier League giants. He also had loan spells with Royal Antwerp, Rangers, Stoke, Plymouth, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest while at the Red Devils.

He made a permanent move to Ipswich in 2009 where he made more than 100 appearances over a four-year spell which included a loan stay with Charlton.

A three-year stint at Millwall followed before Martin also represented Northampton, Gillingham, Exeter, Ebbsfleet, Dover, Ashford and, most recently, Ramsgate, where he rounded off his playing career in style by helping the side to the 2024/25 Isthmian South East title.

It means Martin will face Ben Smith’s Rams and his former team-mates in the league during