WELLING United were cheered on to Saturday's 3-1 derby against Bromley with the help of the club's youth section.

A large number of the successful 250-member Welling youth set up wore the club's home shirt and created a din of noise at Park View Road.

Youth secretary Liz Upton said: "I know many young players are encouraged by attending Park View Road and motivated by the opportunities our association with the main club creates.

"We have already, in only our second season in partnership with Kingsmoor, seen a healthy flow of our older players representing the main club through the reserve side.

"All the members at the Bromley game benefited from the free player pass issued to all junior members."

Welling United youth with Kingsmoor was born in May 2006 as a partnership, bringing together a senior adult squad and a long-standing youth club to promote football to all abilities in the area.

The association has been a huge success, allowing Welling's older aged sides to compete in the Kent Youth League, which without an association with a senior squad would never have been achievable.

Liz Upton added: "These three squads are progressing tremendously well and have a great reputation among their fellow league sides.

"We are providing exit routes for older players, either through progression into the adult squads or by offering refereeing and coaching qualifications to encourage older members to give something back to their younger counterparts."

Liz says an outstanding example of this initiative working is Danny Hill, who was proud to be a part of this club from an early age.

Now aged 19 and studying sports science at west Kent College, he has also gained a Level two FA coaching badge and referees' qualifications and was at the Bromley game with the under-16 side, which he is now proud to be coaching.

Welling have recently appointed Danny as the qualification development officer, promoting opportunities within sport to the club's members.

There are also plans to apply for the FA for charter development club status.

Liz said: "This will recognise the dedication and high standards of volunteers judged against the stringent standards of the FA.

"Accompanying this application will be a three-year development plan, instigated by the management committee of the youth section.

"This includes our commitment to develop our current teams, branch into female and disability football and support schools offering coaching and advice."