We've had a lovely letter from Peter Peters, our longest-serving manager, who was at the helm from 1971 to 1991 apart from a 2½ year interlude managing in Canada.  On the occasion of our centenary celebration he wanted to be remembered to his old friends and colleagues...

Unfortunately I can’t be there as I will be in Spain on holiday – celebrating my 90th birthday.  I hope to get there for the November 5 reunion.

It’s so pleasing to see the Deres are still a force in the district.  I hope the season goes well.  The Deres have played a big part in my life, managing the club for 17½ years, taking over from Roy Dwight.

During my time we had many ups and downs, but we tried to maintain a good spirit win or lose.  Many of the players worked very hard playing/training and gave everything for the club despite the fact that we could only afford them very moderate expenses compared to many other clubs.  It was good that they stayed with us and remained loyal to the club.

Behind the scenes the directors, staff, barman, ladies, cleaners etc worked tirelessly.  I remember the many days in the winter everyone rolling up their sleeves trying to make the pitch playable, using sponge cushions from an old sofa to soak up the surface water and trying to level off the mud – nice to know you don’t have that problem at Welling!

Getting into the Southern League was a big achievement for the club – beating Deal Town 3-2 on a sunny evening by the Kent coast, gaining us promotion.  2-0 down at half time, Terry Elphick scored the winning goal with minutes to go.  We had a very noisy, happy ride home to Erith.

Playing at a much higher level in the Southern League was always going to be difficult financially – but we coped pretty well, players, staff, directors etc got behind us and we survived the season.

I’ve been in football for many years, playing, coaching, managing, scouting – but I think looking back over the years my time managing the Deres was probably the most exciting.  Not sure what was going to happen one week to the next.

The spirit at the club was always first class and it’s great to see 100 years in football achieved, considering the plight of many other clubs – a splendid achievement.  The mood of the club still appears to be positive and ambitious and it seems many at the club are doing their bit on and off the pitch.

There are lots of people I would like to mention but I would need another half a dozen more pages.  I would like to mention some special E&B supporters, directors and players.  Johnny Hall a lifelong supporter, John McFadden, Peter Bird, Roy Cowley, Gary Cooper, Keith Gurr, Ron Bates (physio), Les Meakins, Bill Hollins, Tony Munday, Sean McFadden, Joe Francis, Terry Elphick, John Tracey, Tommy Sampson, Pat Meagan, Martin Dillnutt, Alan Hart, Kevin Alexander, Dave Wadhams, Junior Crooks, Colin Avery, Colin Aldridge, etc etc.

I could go on – you meet and associate yourself with so many people in the world of football at whatever level, and it has been great to be part of it.  Best of luck to Deres, here’s to another 100 years.