Ryan Maxwell pledges “no excuses” as he begins Welling United rebuild

New Welling United boss Ryan Maxwell has a clear message for his players: no excuses, no shortcuts, and no time to waste.

The 41-year-old arrives at the Wings with deep non-league mileage behind him, following a playing career that took him across England, Scotland and Wales – including a spell at Park View Road back in 2006/07.

He moved into management in 2018 with Walthamstow before guiding Braintree Town to National League South safety, then taking over Sittingbourne in 2023.

What followed was transformative: back-to-back Isthmian South East play-off campaigns, a club-record 101 points, and a historic Isuzu FA Trophy quarter-final run featuring wins over Dover Athletic, Enfield Town and Southend United, before falling to eventual winners Aldershot Town.

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Honoured

Now joined by assistant Billy McMahon, Maxwell steps into a Welling side marooned second from bottom, with just nine points from 16 games.

A six-match losing streak – including an FA Trophy exit – has stripped away any chance of cup heroics this time.

However, the task is simple but stark: haul last season’s National League South club away from danger and spark a revival.

“Really, really proud and honoured to be named the manager of such a great club,” he told Wings TV.

“It has been pretty quick. I had in my mind that I would take Saturday’s game as Sittingbourne manager, and that would be my last.

“I’d made a decision internally about a week prior to that, really, and I did let Sittingbourne know in advance.

“And yeah, it happened pretty quick, but yeah, I’d say about a week.”

Excuses

But if the decision came fast, the reality of the challenge hasn’t caught him by surprise.

Maxwell knows exactly what he is walking into – a club drifting, a squad short on confidence, and a season already demanding a rescue job. And it’s a scenario he’s faced before.

“This is the third time I’ve took over a club in this kind of scenario,” he said. “So I’m aware of what the steps are.

“There’s a big job on, but I knew that going in. You’ll hear no excuses from me. I know exactly what I’m walking into.

“We’re adrift at the minute. We’ll need to go on a real good, strong run. It might not happen overnight.

“There will need to be patience, but we will do it. We will turn it around. And the players now tonight will meet me and Billy, and we’ll be putting in those foundations, those expectations, and let them know what we expect going forward.

“This is the reason for the meeting tonight. No excuses. We’re going to air out anything that needs to be aired, because we can only move forward if we’re positive.”

Potential

For Maxwell, the attraction wasn’t just the challenge – it was the size and profile of the club at this level.

Welling may have dropped a division, but it remains a recognised name in non-league and a place with clear potential.

“I think if you’re in non-league football, you know Welling United Football Club – it’s as simple as that,” Maxwell added.

“It’s been a big club for a long time, and I think that’s a huge, huge draw for me. The location is fantastic and the potential is there as well. So there’s so much growth.

“Yes, it’s in a bad period. We know this, but there’s no point analysing the past. It’s not going to get us anywhere.”

Atmosphere

And he knows none of the rebuild works without reconnecting the club and community. His message to supporters – both those who’ve stuck with the team and those who’ve drifted away – is simple.

“Come back,” he exclaimed. “As simple as that. The ones who’ve been away, come back. It’ll be worth it, I promise you that.

“We want to make this place jumping. Last season at my previous club, we went unbeaten at home, made it a fortress.

“I want to do the same here. I want this place to be a special place where the fans can’t wait on a Saturday to get here, feel the vibe, the atmosphere and know that their team is going to be performing.

“And to do that, we need them here. I want them to be part of the journey, but it is their club and I want them to get back to enjoying being a Welling United supporter.”

With a Velocity Cup tie against Folkestone Invicta tonight and a crucial league meeting with Billericay Town to follow at the weekend, Maxwell underlined his intent on X, writing: “A club that needs no introduction in non-league! Yes, we are in a difficult position but I’m honoured to fight for every point as Welling United manager.”

READ MORE: Ryan Maxwell aims to relive Sittingbourne’s FA Trophy fairytale