Micheal Everitt has been a tremendous servant to this club, says Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley

FOLKESTONE INVICTA manager Neil Cugley says he has lost the services of long-serving captain Micheal Everitt – but the majority of the rest of his squad have put pen to paper for next season.



The Cheriton Road outfit finished in fourth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, but they put in a poor performance in a play-off semi-final away to Dulwich Hamlet in their last game.

Bognor Regis Town defeated Dulwich Hamlet in the Play-off Final to clinch promotion back into the Ryman Premier League.

Speaking from Magaluf, where the squad landed for their close-season holiday, Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk about his squad plans for next season.

He said: “As well as the eight or nine who were already on contract for next season, Gleds (Lee Gledhill) and Edgey (Roland Edge) have agreed to come back while both Frankie Chappell and Liam Friend have also re-signed.

“And Richard Atkins has also been re-engaged while Paul Jones will join us again for pre-season.”

Injury-plagued striker Jones enjoyed a testimonial this season to help out with his medical costs and as the manager said, “He’s had little or no luck with injuries over the last few years. He deserves a bit of luck and it would be great if he can get back playing,”

The one exception to the 2011/12 squad is that club record appearance holder and long-serving skipper Micheal Everitt has decided to try his luck elsewhere.

Cugley said: “Micheal has been a tremendous servant to this club over so many years and we’ll always be grateful for the loyalty he’s shown to Invicta.

“But he’s decided he’d like to try his luck elsewhere and I understand that he’s talking to several clubs and exploring the possibilities.

“There’s been no falling out here, he just feels he needs a change and he will go with our thanks and very best wishes for everything he’s achieved with us.”

Cugley added:  “I’m not looking for many new players but I wouldn’t mind one more and you can say it would be a front-runner.

“We’ll have JV (Josh Vincent) back from injury by then, of course, to come in either at the back or in midfield.

“With him and Gleds and Edgey back we’re pretty well-covered in defence and midfield.

“It’s only really up front that we could do with a bit more width and pace at times.”

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk