Garrett Kelly, a 28-year-old defensive midfielder, who was previously with our National League South counterparts, Welling United, comes to the club with vast experience and at a time when Jay Saunders’ options in that area of midfield have became limited by the absence through injury of Taylor Maloney.

After spending his youth career with Hornchurch and Brentwood Town, he moved into senior football with Waltham Forest. After spells with Barkingside, Romford and Aveley he decided to try his luck abroad with a move into Greek football with Nafpaktiakos and, after returning to England briefly in 2019, he returned to Greece to play for Agios Nikalaos, Episkopi and Almyros Glaziou.

Following the pandemic, he returned to England and put down roots at Aveley, where he spent two successful seasons making 82 appearances and scoring six times.

He began this season at AFC Totton before moving on to Welling.

Jay said of his signing: “He’s played against us a couple of times, at Aveley last season and Welling this year (helped us get a draw there!). He is someone I’ve always liked, he’s very different to what we have in midfield and we’ve lost Taylor for up to a month. I felt with the games coming up he’s player that will suit us. He is a good size, he is fit, doesn’t mind putting his foot in, a good talker and at 28 has good experience at the level.”