The Fleet can introduce midfielder Gene Kennedy as the latest signing to the 2025/26 squad as the 22-year-old joins us from Welling United.

Hailing from Essex, Kennedy joined Colchester United as a 10-year-old and progressed through their youth system all the way into the first-team, making his senior debut in the EFL Cup against Birmingham City in August 2021 and his League Two debut a few days later, eventually going on to feature seven times in all for the U’s.

He played on loan for Braintree Town in 2022/23 before becoming a big part of Welling United’s marked improvement in the latter part of 2023/24, ultimately saving the Wings from relegation that season.

Having impressed in National League South, he joined Welling on a permanent basis last summer after departing Colchester and started more than 40 games in the division through 2024/25. Although his qualities lie as a predominantly defensive midfielder, the all-action Kennedy boasted a haul of eight goals and five assists last season, including a brace over high-flying Worthing, to bring him to the attention of several clubs by the end of the campaign.

Having been offered a new contract by Welling, and due to his age, the signing is subject to appropriate compensation being agreed between the clubs and the ratification of the FA and National League.

The Fleet’s new man – another addition with plenty of appearances totted up last season – told FleetTV, “To keep that fitness and maintain that throughout the year is big. To play as many games as I need and want to, that’s a big thing.”