Defender Chris Moore has paid an emotional tribute to Welling's supporters after he was released from the club last Friday.

The popular centre-back, who won the club's player of the year award, was a surprising departure from Park View Road as manager Andy Ford trimmed his squad ahead of the new campaign.

In a message to the fans, Moore, who ironically played a key role behind the scenes to bring Ford in as manager in January, said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed playing for your team over the years and am sad to be leaving.

"The support the team gets week in week out is amazing and what makes you as supporters stand out is not the support when the team is winning, but the support when the team has just lost an important match.

"When we were striving for the play-offs under Adrian Pennock and lost at home, instead of silence we were clapped off and encouraged - no other set of supporters would do that. That is the reason that Welling deserve to over achieve."

Explaining his departure, Moore stated that his robust and combative style of play was not likely to fit in under Ford's current vision.

He added: "The reason why I am no longer at the club is that the manager wants his centre backs to get the ball off the goalkeeper and pass it around.

"As my first touch goes further than what most players can pass the ball, I do not think I would fit into that passing style pattern of play!"

Moore also paid tribute to the club's owners and refused to rule out a return to Park View Road in the future, such was his affection for the club.

"I would also like to personally thank Mr Hobbins for ringing me up when he heard the news and the kind words he said," Moore added. "I have had several offers already and I will pick the one that offers me the biggest challenge.

"I have told the owner that if he ever requires a manager/coach/investor in the future to give me a bell!"

Welling continue their pre-season campaign at Erith Town on Monday night, with the match taking place at Thamesmead's Bayliss Avenue ground.