Welling United boss Ryan Maxwell explains why achieving Isthmian Premier safety with the Wings is his best achievement in management

Ryan Maxwell ranks the “minor miracle” of keeping Welling United up as his best achievement in management.

The Wings clinched Isthmian Premier safety at the weekend after fighting back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Cray Wanderers.

They were six points from safety when Maxwell left Sittingbourne to take up the reins in November and facing the prospect of back-to-back relegations.

The gap grew to nine at one stage and Welling were bottom of the table as recently as late February but eight wins in 12 games have seen them pull off the great escape.

Maxwell has previously led Walthamstow, Braintree and Sittingbourne to safety after taking over sides in the relegation zone.

He also took the Brickies to the FA Trophy quarter-finals, courtesy of a 1-0 win at former Championship club Southend and chalked up 101 points last season.

But the turnaround at Welling tops the lot for the Northern Irishman.

“I’ve got an incredible bond with the players and I think that’s forged in adversity because we’ve all shared the struggle,” said Maxwell.

“To come out the other side in the manner in which we have, it’s the most special thing I’ve achieved as a manager in what was a colossal task.

“I’ve taken over four teams that have been in really bad situations, at different levels, in four different leagues.

“But this one was a huge task off the bat. We were really struggling in the league, it would take a minor miracle, but that just fuelled me, knowing if we could do it, then there was great potential at this fantastic club.

“That was the reason I took the job. I wasn’t having to manage at my best at Sittingbourne to win games in that division and that’s not what I’m about.

“I like a challenge, I need to be challenged, it’s how I get the best out