Folkestone Invicta must clear debts before they can move forward, says chairman Mark Jenner

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley’s bid to bring the versatile James Everitt back to the club from Hythe Town on a month-long swap with midfielder Josh Burchell collapsed when former Invicta stalwart Everitt opted for what would appear to be a longer term deal at Whitstable Town, where his older brother Micheal is player-coach.



Speaking at Thursday night’s open meeting at the club, Cugley admitted that he was looking for cover in his squad when he will be without wing-back Phil Stevenson (three game suspension) and Richard Atkins (unavailability) during March.

The excellent Stevenson looks certain to be in the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Burgess Hill, though former Faversham Town, Horsham, Whitstable Town and Phoenix Sports forward Dane Luchford seems almost certain to miss out with a hamstring injury suffered in the defeat at Merstham in midweek.

Cugley felt that talented midfielder Burchell needed more game time than he was getting with in-form Invicta, but was delighted with the former youth team star’s contribution at Merstham in midweek.

Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk: “Burchy changed the game for us when he came on and scored in the second half.”

That goal put Folkestone get back on level terms, but jinx-side Merstham snatched a late winner, making it three wins in four games against Invicta for the Surrey side this season.

Cugley could switch to a 4-4-2 line-up on Saturday, with Atkins and exciting youngster Johan Ter Horst up front and with Burchell restored to an attacking midfield role behind the front two in an otherwise unchanged starting eleven.

Burgess Hill drew 1-1 at Cheriton Road in early December and will be no pushovers as Folkestone bid to resume a fine run of form that has seen them climb from 18th in the table to within touching distance of a place in the play-off position at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, further details have emerged of the deal that took prolific goalscorer Stuart King from Folkestone Invicta to their Ryman League Division One South rivals Maidstone United at the end of November.

The quoted fee of £6,000 was inclusive of VAT at 20 per cent.

But Invicta get an additional £1,000 at the end of the season if the Stones earn promotion.
Folkestone chairman Mark Jenner revealed this information at Thursday’s well attended opening meeting in Stripes Club, adding that the two clubs will play a pre-season game at Cheriton Road this summer – as long as they are not playing in the same division next season.

”Ideally, of course, we might meet them in the play-offs and get a share of a massive gate at their new stadium,” added Mr Jenner.

Invicta's recent 2-2 draw with the Stones attracted a season's best crowd of 684 and a very welcome boost to the finances.

Mr Jenner also reported that the club has no pressing debts and is confident that they can end this season and crucially begin the next one with a clean slate.

That is, however, apart from the five-year creditors agreement the club entered into two years ago, and, without which the club might well have gone out of existence.

Mr Jenner said the club are almost up to halfway through that arrangement, but appealed for more fans to come forward with regular contributions, no matter how small, towards clearing the debt.

He said that the club must clear the CVA once and for all before Folkestone Invicta can start to move forward.

All supporters who can help out in this way should contact the club on (01303) 257461 or through supporters club chairman Clive Arnold (01303) 257266 or any other supporters club official

Former company secretary and briefly chairman Jim Pellet, whose continued efforts behind the scenes have been crucial in keeping Invicta ticking over, told Thursday’s open meeting: “Balancing our income against the outgoings was crucial in allowing us a way to go forward.”

And while everyone connected with the club knows, realistically, it will be a battle, there were far more positive than negative vibes for supporters to take home.

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

Burgess Hill Town  v  Folkestone Invicta
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 23^rd February 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Leylands Park, Maple Drive, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 8DL