WELLING forward James Pinnock has turned down a new contract at Park View Road and decided to join Ryman League Premier Division side Margate.

And in a triple blow for Wings boss Adrian Pennock, the club missed out on Lewes-bound striker Paul Booth and failed in a bid to sign Alan Tait from Canvey Island.

Pinnock, 27, looked set to agree a new deal, but big-spending Margate made a successful late bid to sign the former Gravesend and Kingstonian striker, who netted just two goals in 35 appearances last term.

Welling assistant manager Phil Handford said: "We’re obviously disappointed to lose him because I know he was hungry to prove himself this season.

"He was very happy with Welling, but the bottom line is his wife is expecting a baby soon and the deal was way and above anything we could get near.

"We’re not talking about missing out because of £10 or £20, we’re talking about a couple of hundred pounds."

On missing out on Booth and Tait, who is heading to Eastbourne Borough, Handford added: "We’ve got other targets. It makes us more determined to be successful.

"You can feel sorry for yourselves or you can get on with the job. This is a big challenge and we can’t wait to get our teeth into it again."

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