Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell can’t wait to get the new Isthmian Premier season under way

Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell would happily start the new football season tomorrow.

The Wings have got their business done early and are counting down the days to the Isthmian Premier kick-off on August 8.

Maxwell was left with little to get done in the way of signings after the vast majority of players agreed to stay on at Park View Road.

That made all the difference for the Northern Irishman, who predicted his side would come good last season, even when they were bottom of the table.

They did that, and then some, finishing six points clear of the relegation zone in 15th place as one of the form teams in the division, fuelling hopes of a top-six challenge next term.

“If the league was to start tomorrow, I’d be very happy and confident,” said Maxwell.

“We’ve got a really strong group and cover in every position. We’re in a good place. We’re not actively searching for anybody.

“We’ve retained 11 of the core of last year and added the likes of Nathan Cooper, Ryan Kingsford, Kaan Bennett, Louis Ramsey, Demaray Anyadike and Ryan Blackman, and training’s gone really well.

“I think what made it easier for me is the players who did so well last year all wanted to stay, and if something has worked so well, then why change it?

“I did make that agreement with the players, in advance, two months before the season finished.

“I even stated we would finish top three in the form table.

“I think we were bottom of the league at the time but I knew what the team was capable of.

“It was only a matter of time and luckily I was proved right and those boys who did that for myself and the club are more than worthy of being here again this year, with a different goal in mind.

“That made my recruitment a lot easier, with a lot less to do.