Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell turns down chance to sign out-of-contract Football League player

Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell has turned down some top talent - including a Football League player.

Maxwell quickly laid out his intentions to remain loyal to the players who clinched Isthmian Premier safety.

He’s been true to his word, adding just a few new faces to boost the squad in their pursuit of a top-six finish next season, with one more to come.

Players from higher levels have put themselves forward but Maxwell won’t be taking them.

“Believe me, I’ve turned very good players away, knowing that we just couldn’t sign them,” he said.

“I’m talking players from the National League and National League South enquiring about the possibility of signing here.

“Even a Football League player, who was out of contract, asked the question, which was flattering, but ultimately it’s not something we can pursue.

“I am a man of loyalty and I’m loyal to my players.

“I made promises at the end of the season that you will all be welcome back and, having finished the season in the form we did, it would be foolish to dismantle something that works.

“I do feel the squad is in a great place and the ones we’ve added, I know exactly what I’m getting.”

Welling ended the season as one of the form teams in the Isthmian Premier.

They were nine points from safety at one stage and bottom of the table as late as February but surged to safety as Maxwell, who took charge with the Wings in big trouble last November, saw his changes take effect.

The squad made it clear they wanted to stay put, while Stefan Wright, Ryan Kingsford, Ryan Blackman and Demaray Anyadike have joined, and loanees Sam Smith and Olive Reeve have completed permanent moves from Dartford and Stevenage respectively.

Maxwell said: “We’ve retained so many good players and