It will be worth buying a season ticket just to see Josh Stanford play, hails Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley

FOLKESTONE INVICTA manager Neil Cugley has unveiled the signing of talented left-winger Josh Stanford.

Stanford, 25, parted company with their Ryman League Division One South rivals Faversham Town and Cugley has swooped and slapped the talented winger on a one-year contract at Cheriton Road.

Stanford hit the heights when he scored Tunbridge Wells’ goal in their 2-1 defeat to Spennymoor Town in The FA Vase Final at Wembley Stadium in May 2013.

Last season he scored 13 goals for Faversham Town as Ray Turner’s side finished their campaign in fourth-place, losing to Merstham on penalties in the play-off semi-final at Salters Lane.  Hayden Bird’s side then came away from Folkestone Invicta with a 3-0 win in the Final to win promotion into the Ryman Premier League for the first time.

Cugley told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “I found out that Josh wanted to leave Faversham Town when his good friends Matt Newman and Jon Pilbeam asked if I would be interested in signing Josh as he had approached them to see if I would be interested in signing him.

“He is a left-sided player, which is the sort of player I have been looking for, so I had no hesitation in asking him to come along for a chat.

“I think the fans will be very excited by Josh and he will soon become one of their favourite players.

“Josh was very disappointed when his mate Jack Harris signed for Hastings. He then started talking to Matt and Jon about joining us at Invicta.

“He is a player that I have admired for many years. It will be worth buying a season ticket just to see him play.”

Josh’s mother is Karen Millen, the fashion designer, who was a keen follower of Tunbridge Wells, especially during the club’s historic run to the Wembley Arch.

Folkestone Invicta, meanwhile, open their pre-season campaign with a home game against League One outfit Gillingham on Tuesday, 7 July.

The game will be a testimonial for long-serving defender Frankie Chappell.

Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk