Few non-league clubs would have been able to keep their manager if Ebbsfleet came calling.

That's the verdict of Welling operations manager Barry Hobbins after boss Jamie Day departed to join the Fleet on Wednesday.

The Wings sit 17th in the Vanarama Conference but Day called time on his five-year tenure at Park View Road - for an offer Welling simply couldn't compete with.

"We did everything we could to try and keep Jamie at the club," said Hobbins.

"But we can't compete with the money Ebbsfleet are looking to spend. In fact, few clubs at non-league level can compete with them wages wise and potential budget.

"Jamie is the best young manager in non-league football, and we've told him that.

"We're disappointed but we understand why Jamie wanted to go down this route.

"He did a great job for us for five years and I'm sure the chance to stay local was a factor for him as well."

As for a potential replacement, the Wings have already had plenty of interest in the vacant managerial post.

"The phone has been busy already and we had at least 12 applications within the first hour of Jamie's departure being confirmed.

"There's been plenty of names already, people who have managed in the Football League or won the FA Trophy.

"It's going to be a big job for someone but the club is bigger than one man. We've got to do what's best for the club and make sure there's not too much disruption to the players and the team."