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Welling manager Mark Goldberg has got his mojo back after returning to the dugout this season.
The Wings parted company with Steve King at the end of last season despite finishing third in National League South and missing out on promotion by losing 1-0 at Woking in the play-off final.
Goldberg, who is also the club’s chairman, put himself back in charge of team affairs, having previously led the team in 2016 – only to ‘sack’ himself and appoint Jamie Day as manager within six months.
But Goldberg, who is working alongside coaches Hugo Langton and Osei Sankofa, is predicting better fortune this time around and insisted that he knows where he went wrong last time.
“There’s no doubt I made mistakes before,” admitted Goldberg. “I underestimated the level, I took players on that were Ryman League level players that I thought I could coach and make them better.
“The reality is that without the players it doesn’t matter how good a coach or manager you are, if you haven’t got the players you can’t get the results.
“I’ve learnt a lot and I’m ready as well. I’ve got my mojo back and I really enjoy the team I’m working with in Hugo and Osei, I feel like we’re almost a family here.
“I’ve feel like we’ve got the club back to where we want it to be as well.”
Goldberg, who also implemented a budget cut midway through last season, insisted that he won’t be splashing the cash again to chase glory.
But he couldn’t resist returning to management after growing increasingly frustrated while watching from the stands.
“It’s in the blood,” added Goldberg. “I under-estimated this league when I first came (to Welling) and became chairman and manager.
“I had to take a step back but I don’t intend to make those same mistakes again.
“With a sensible budget we’ve got players who have not only led and done well at this level, but those that have actually played higher.
“I think you have to have players like that if you are really going to compete at this level.
“I got frustrated in the last two or three years. I thought I was ready to settle down and watch from above but I just can’t help myself.
“I’ve been itching and very frustrated in the last year or so.
“Most importantly I am in control of my budget as well because I’ve got to protect the club.
“I won’t get carried away but our budget is just the average for the league if not slightly below.
“I’m really proud we’re capable of grinding out results like we did against Maidstone (but) it’s still very early days.”
Goldberg also revealed that he hopes to push forward with plans to redevelop Welling’s Park View Road ground this season – with more details set to be released sooner rather than later.
He said: “It’s all about the future development and that’s something we need to push forward with during the course of this season and I’m really hoping there will be some news on that in the next six weeks.
“I’m talking about putting a planning application in before Christmas which I can only allude to when we are ready to present it.
“We have to make sure this club is self-sustainable and ready to move on. We’re not sustainable as a football club (presently) but we plan to be in the future.”
