Folkestone Invicta’s players reported back for pre-season training at the weekend as the club prepares for its third season back in the Bostik Premier Division – which commences in earnest on August 11th.
And, as he is about to kick-off his 22nd season at the club, manager Neil Cugley couldn’t be happier with what he saw.
“Majority of them were there – it’s always like that, especially when we’ve got half a dozen or more who are involved with the schools, either as teachers themselves, or like Micheal Everitt and several others, very much tied up with coaching the youngsters.
“They’re a tight knit bunch we’ve got here now and they were buzzing to get started – a couple of them are looking especially sharp and with the Gills game coming up this weekend I just can’t wait for Saturday to get here.”
Of the squad which finished the last campaign fourth in the league and runners up in the Kent Cup, only Joe Taylor and Jordan Wright have left the club, though sadly a long-term injury will mean that Scott Heard is unlikely to kick a ball in anger until perhaps about this time next year.
The players will be training again later this week with the possibility of one further addition to the squad before this weekend.
“I’m talking to another forward and should know where we’re going with that by then” said boss Neil, who welcomed his other two new signings, Jack Evans and Alfie Paxman for their first training session with Invicta.
Former Invicta coach Jason Lillis is also likely to help with training later this week alongside newly appointed coach Micheal Everitt. Lillis is now back on the staff at Priestfield but is always a welcome visitor at the Fullicks Stadium.
Please don’t forget that kick-off on Saturday is at 12.30pm.
Admission for this and Invicta’s two other ‘prestige’ friendlies is £10 for adults with concessions £6.
For a further announcement regarding the Gillingham match, please see separate article to follow later today.