Patient Cugley nets long-term target Blackman

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley was delighted to unveil the capture of long-term target, striker Lloyd Blackman, 24, from Blue Square South outfit Welling United.

Blackman put pen to paper on a contract at training last night, where he was introduced to his team mates and has signed until the end of the present season, although the Ryman Premier League club have the option of extending this contract by a further year.

“I’ve obviously been after him for a while and watched his progress over the past few years at various times and I thought I had got him when Ellis Remy went to Welling but that didn’t turn out as Welling didn’t want to release him. I’m really pleased to have got him now and I know it’s an excellent acquisition for us,” Cugley explained to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“It’s is very difficult to get forwards and we’re not big payers and it has taken a bit of time to put this all together and to get the right deal for Lloyd and us.”

Blackman can operate as a left winger or as a striker and he began his career at League Two side Brentford before joining Championship outfit Crystal Palace.

The quick 24-year-old then moved to Blue Square Premier Woking after a spell at Farnborough. For Woking he played 35 matches in the 2005/2006 season including the F.A Trophy Final and after some time at Crawley Town he signed for Welling last summer.

“I think one of the main things is that he’s a local player as he only lives in Seabrook and he has been someone who we have always kept an eye on,” said Cugley.

“He was on contract at Welling and was in and out of their side and Welling gave us permission to talk to him and he’s looking forward to playing for his local club.

“He’s looking forward to getting his career back on track as well and I’m not being funny but we’ve done that in the past with players who have come here; John Guest, Allan Tait for example, we’ve made them better players and got them enjoying their football again”.

Blackman is likely to go straight into the starting line up for the Ryman Premier League clash away at Ashford Town (Middlesex) this weekend, partnering the industrious Leigh Bremner in attack.

With the return of influential figure Mark Saunders to the squad and with James Corbett likely to drop back into midfield, the Folkestone boss has a welcome selection dilemma as he prepares his side for the weekend.

“He’s a very strong player who is very good at holding the ball up and hopefully he can score some goals for us. He will predominantly be playing up front alongside Brems and I think the pair of them will be a right handful because of their strength on the ball and commitment off it. Brems is already a favourite with the crowd and I hope, in time, Lloyd will be too,” said Cugley.

As mentioned earlier, Cugley has sent Damian Abel to their Ryman Premier League rivals Ramsgate on a month’s loan.

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Ashford Town (Middlesex) v Folkestone Invicta
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 26^th January 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Short Lane, Stanwell, Middelsex TW19 7BH