Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell on the importance of Wings fans in Isthmian Premier survival push and helping match-winner and fellow Northern Irishman Noah Stewart achieve his dreams

Ryan Maxwell has stressed his appreciation for Welling United fans as the club continue their survival fight.

Boss Maxwell spent time greeting Wings supporters as they made their way into Park View Road on Saturday.

It was a nice touch from the Northern Irishman, whose side went on to beat Whitehawk 2-1 thanks to a debut goal from new loan signing Noah Stewart.

Stewart’s goal, after Lekan Majoyegbe’s early effort was cancelled out by Harry Lodovica, secured back-to-back wins for Welling, who remain just a point from safety in the Isthmian Premier League, with a game in hand.

Maxwell knows fans have a vital role to play if Welling are to pull off a great escape after months in the bottom four.

“It’s important my time here is associated with bringing the crowds back and letting them know how much I appreciate them and how important they are,” said Maxwell.

“I wanted to try and get a bit of a personal feel and have a chat with a few of them.

“It was pretty brief, because I wanted to get around them, but as they came in I introduced myself and thanked them for their support and gave them all a handshake.

“For me, a handshake’s very important. I live my life by shaking people’s hands.

“I thought I’d extend mine just to show my appreciation.

“It can’t just be a match and that’s it. It’s a football club and the word club means it has members and supporters and you’ve got to remember that.

“It’s important we bring everyone together when we’re in a situation like this because it’s more hands to the pump and if we’re in a war, we need more soldiers.

“Ultimately, the fans have a massive impact on how the team feel and they were unbelievable in a recent game at Cray Valley in particular.

“They had a big part to play in that game and