Our financial position is the best I've known it for a long time, reveals Folkestone Invicta boss

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley says the club’s financial position is much better than it has been, although a run in the FA Cup will go down a treat, writes Stephen McCartney.


The club struggled in their one campaign back at Ryman Premier League level, finishing bottom, but yesterday’s 4-1 home win over Whitstable Town has put Cugley’s men in sixth place in Ryman League Division One South with nine points from their opening four games.

All attention now turns to Saturday’s home FA Cup Preliminary Round tie against Whyteleafe – who were beaten 2-1 at Church Road at the weekend, courtesy of two late Stuart King goals.

And Cugley, 54, believes his side are good enough to book a place in the next round – a home tie against Whitehawk or Ramsgate on 17 September.

“We were poor first half Saturday, really poor,” recalled Cugley.

“Second half, we completely battered them and their goalie was outstanding on Saturday and he’s the one that kept them in it.

“We know we can play a lot better than we did down there.  I’ll be very disappointed if we don’t put a good show on and get through.”

When asked if his side will be on the back of a Whyteleafe backlash, Cugley said: “Hopefully they’ll be a bit wary of us because we finished well down there.  We looked a bit tired second half.  Coming here we should put them on the back foot straight away.”

The winners in the preliminary round of the FA Cup pick up £1,500 in prize money from The Football Association, courtesy of their new sponsorship deal with Budweiser.

“We’ve had problems with the money before, so it’s the first year where we’re getting somewhere and hopefully any monies will be more than appreciated,” said Cugley.

When asked about the club’s current financial situation, Cugley replied, “I think it’s the best I’ve known it for a long, long time.  Ok, we’re not going to splash out loads of money on players, but hopefully the players’ wages will be there every week.

“We’ve got (Richard) Atkins’ in and people like that, with respect their not expensive players, and we can develop and we can develop players’ like Stuart King.  He’s still only 22 and he can go a lot higher and if we can be a developing club, then so be it.”

Cugley , however, is pleased with his side’s start to the league campaign, which has seen them defeat Walton & Hersham, Whyteleafe and Whitstable.

“I would have taken seven or eight (points), but we’ve got nine.  If we can be there or there abouts then every body’s happy,” he said.

“We’ll build the club up from now over the next few years’, hopefully.  It’s just not a short term thing.  What we’ve been through has been rather horrendous really, we got out of it.  We went up to a league where we weren’t strong enough, but we’ve regrouped, we’ve got a few players in and the club’s on its way.  The ground looks lovely, the social club has been tidied up and we’re on the mark, which is quite pleasing.”

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

Folkestone Invicta  v  Whyteleafe
FA Cup with Budweiser Preliminary Round
Saturday 3^rd September 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU