Invicta face a long and rocky road ahead, warns Jenner

Folkestone Invicta consultant, Mark Jenner, warns supporters that there will be a long and rocky road ahead for the troubled Ryman League Division One South club, writes Stephen McCartney.

On the pitch, Neil Cugley’s men sealed a vital 1-0 win over Whitstable Town at Cheriton Road yesterday, courtesy of Jimmy Jackson’s ninth goal of the season.

Jackson’s sweet free-kick, ensured Invicta won their first league game since beating Corinthian-Casuals, at the end of October, at a time that the club announced that they had to start releasing players due to their cash crisis.

But news that the club had a relatively successful meeting with the tax man two days before the game, probably helped Invicta end their miserable run.

Jackson’s strike was also Invicta’s first goal since four blanks following the Ryman League Cup tie against Ryman One North side Tilbury, who knocked Whitstable Town out last week, on 2^nd December.

Mr Jenner, the former chairman of neighbouring Ashford Town, released a statement on Saturday morning, regarding his make-or-break meeting with the tax man on Thuesday.

“Since certain liabilities were discovered at the club four months ago we have continued to operate normally fulfilling our fixtures, albeit with a much changed first team line up, when back in October it looked very much as if completing the season would pose a real challenge,” Mr Jenner told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

He added: “Several important concessions were achieved at a meeting with HMRC this week, including a reduction in the total amount claimed of about one third and an undertaking not to proceed against the club in enforcing any claim until at least the end of the season.

“This still leaves a significant sum outstanding which will have to be dealt with in one way or another but the board now has a longer period in which to devise a plan to ensure football continues at Cheriton Road.

“This is one small but important step in rebuilding the club for the future, the road will be long and more difficulties will have to be faced but at least we have made a start.

“I would just like to add our thanks to the officials we met from HMRC, it would not be appropriate to name them, but for the courteous and patient way in which they listened and responded to our case.”

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