Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell offers his former Sittingbourne midfielder Richie Hamill the chance to earn Wings deal

Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell will give midfielder Richie Hamill every opportunity to earn a deal at Park View Road.

The pair previously worked together at Sittingbourne, with Maxwell describing left-footed Hamill as the “best passer of a ball that I’ve managed”.

The former Sheppey captain is in his early 30s but Maxwell is convinced he has the quality to step up and play Isthmian Premier football.

He played 90 minutes as Welling beat Erith & Belvedere 5-1 in their opening friendly on Saturday.

“Richie’s been with us since the start of pre-season,” said Maxwell.

“I think he is a wonderful footballer. I wish I’d have met him years ago.

“He’s the best passer of a ball that I’ve managed, be that at Braintree or Sittingbourne or Welling.

“He’s a fantastic passer, a fantastic set-piece taker, and he’s giving it a go to earn himself a place here.

“I know what he’s capable of. The bar is high, he’s aware of that. We’re seeing how he does.

“He was fantastic for me at Sittingbourne.

“He was outstanding in the FA Trophy run against higher opposition, so I know he can do it, it’s just a case of making sure he’s able to do it here with what we’re trying to do this season.

“He definitely gets the benefit of the doubt up until pretty late on because I know what he’s capable of, and if I can see that consistently, there’s a place for him here.

“He does need to show that and over the course of the next few games, we’ll analyse that and see where he’s at but a fit Richie Hamill is a very good player.”

Summer signing Fumnaya Shomotun opened the scoring and Sam Smith made it two before the Deres replied from the penalty spot.

Nathan Cooper met a Hamill corner for Welling’s third and there were further goals from Demaray Anyadike and