Mark Jenner stands down as Folkestone Invicta chairman

Mr Jenner said in a statement which was published on the club’s website: “A number of differences of opinion on the organisation and future of the club have arisen at board level which have proved irreconcilable.

“As a result I no longer wish to continue to take responsibility for the running of the club.”

Jim Pellatt, the club’s chief executive, has this morning confirmed that the board has accepted Mr Jenner’s resignation.

He told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “The board has little to add to Mark’s accurate statement other than to say that we thank Mark for what he has done for Invicta over the last couple of years.

“We’ll wait for the dust to settle before deciding over a new chairman.

“As the next in seniority I will continue running the club as I have been doing.”

On the pitch, Neil Cugley’s side are in eighth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table.

They came away from Three Bridges with a 1-1 opening day draw, before goals from Paul Booth and Ian Draycott sealed a 2-1 home win over Kent rivals Faversham Town last night.

The news at Folkestone, follows on that Hythe Town have confirmed that John Dowsett has returned as chairman and is joined by Josh Healey, from main sponsor GSE, who replaces long-term serving director David Skeel.

A club statement, published on www.hythetownfc.co.uk said: “A sub group of directors has been formed to look after the week to week operation of the club and liaison with the playing side of the club.

“Trevor Kennett (Herne Bay’s former chairman) initially was appointed as football chairman of this group in readiness for the new season.

“Subsequently Trevor now has had to focus on some important issues outside of football, which means he has recently been unable to give his Hythe Town role the time and commitment it deserves and requires, consequently he has decided to step down.

“The club may consider replacing Trevor, but will be terming the role operations director rather than chairman of the football board in order to overcome any confusion. Applications will be considered from people with a good experience of business management and football administration.

“Also a supporters group has been formed and is already active with Andrew Johnson joining the directors of the operating group as the Supporters’ Representative.”

Chairman Mr Dowsett said: “I am delighted to once again take up the reins and look forward to continuing the momentum Hythe Town Football Club has had over the last few years.

“Tim Dixon is already putting together a strong squad and I’m sure this will evolve even more as the season progresses. Tim and his team are also forging much closer links with the Hythe Stars and Stripes youth set-up and putting more emphasis on the development of youth in general which is excellent news.

“I am glad we have a supporters group as I think it is important that they have input, so I welcome Andrew Johnson.

“I am sorry to be losing Trevor so soon but understand his focus at this time has to be on issues outside of football.

“I would like someone with similar experience to join the board, however we have a group of excellent long serving directors looking after things on a day to day basis and with our medium to long term plans.

“Also with Paul Markland, who was chairman for 12 years and is now president, playing a proactive role, we have a lot of continuity within the club. So if no one immediately volunteers for the operations director role, and I stress that this is a voluntary position, we will wait until the right person comes along”.

Hythe Town have lost both of their opening league games, to Burgess Hill Town and Herne Bay, without scoring a goal and find themselves in the bottom four in the Ryman League Division One South table.

Mr Dowsett can be contacted on 07717 206 557.

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

Visit Hythe Town’s website: www.hythetownfc.co.uk