I firmly believe that Frankie Chappell's best days are still ahead of him, says Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley

FOLKESTONE INVICTA’S most admired and most loyal player is being recognised on Tuesday night when Gillingham visit Cheriton Road as the main feature of Frankie Chappell’s testimonial year.

Last July, Gillingham beat the Ryman League Division One South club 3-1, in club skipper Liam Friend’s benefit game and it is even more fitting that the League One side are involved again to pay tribute to defender Chappell.



LOYAL: Folkestone Invicta defender Frankie Chappell's testimonial match see's League One side Gillingham visit Cheriton Road on Tuesday night.
Photo: Folkestone Invicta FC

Chappell, 26, first signed for Neil Cugley on loan from the Gills back in 2007 and barring one season at Welling United, the centre back has been with the Kent coast club ever since.

Cugley told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “He signed for me along with (fellow Gills youngster) Charlie Glyde up at the Black Prince in Bexley on the recommendation of (former Invicta and Gills player) Mark Saunders – I remember it well.

“Frank’s always been a good pro and worked as hard as anyone when we trained at (new coach) Jason Lillis’s school at Sturry on Saturday.

“He’s a lad who always wants to push himself to be better and I firmly believe that his best days are still ahead of him.

“He comes from a good family and it’s always a pleasure to see his parents and other members of their family at so many of our games.

“Frank is a real winner on the pitch and a key player in both 18-yard boxes. I’ve lost count of the important goals he’s scored for us over the years.”

Gillingham manager Justin Edinburgh has promised to send a very strong squad to Cheriton Road for Invicta’s opening warm-up game tomorrow night.

Cugley said: “We’ve widened our pitch, I can confirm that!

 “With the likes of Josh Stanford and Jonny Pilbeam in our squad now, we’re keen to play with as much width as possible.”
 

Stanford, signed from rivals Faversham Town was a triallist with Gillingham and played in that 3-1 win for the visitors last year – stands by for his Folkestone debut along with ex-Maidstone United defender/midfielder Phil Starkey – both of whom have really impressed the management in training.

Friend and long-serving full-back Josh Vincent are both away with the former’s absence providing an early chance for teenage defender Callum Wraight to impress.

Club stalwart Micheal Everitt – now well past 600 games for his home town club – is also in the squad.

The club have confirmed admission prices for the game are £5 (adults/concessions) and £2 (under 16s).

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

Folkestone Invicta  v  Gillingham
Frankie Chappell’s Testimonial
Tuesday 7^th July 2015
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU