Welling United's armed forces veterans day attracts bumper crowd (From News Shopper)

Welling United's armed forces veterans day attracts bumper crowd

11:05am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Sam Christie

TABLE-TOPPING Welling United attracted a bumper crowd of nearly 1,000 fans for their armed forces clash with Basingstoke on Saturday. (March 9)

Legendary footballers Kerry Dixon, Paul Canoville and Billy Bonds were special guests at the Park View Road ground for the Blue Square Bet South match to honour British armed forces veterans.

A last minute equaliser from Jake Gallagher earned the hosts 1-1 draw and ensured the Bexley side remained top of the league on goal difference.

John Parry, co-founder of the Parry Marketing Trust which sponsored the event, said: “It went very well.

“Welling said the attendance was 720, I think it was closer to 1,000 because the under 12s who go free aren’t counted.

“They average crowds of 540, and we think the three famous footballers added an extra 80 to 100 per cent on that.”

Sixty schools across the Bexley borough were given free tickets for the event which raised £220 for British armed forces veterans.