Players enjoy playing football rather than the money now, says Cugley

Wednesday 20th January 2010

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley says non-league football clubs are facing up to the current economic climate and the days of paying players big money at Ryman League level have come to an end, writes Stephen McCartney.

The long-serving boss has been working under tight financial restraints with an unpaid tax bill hanging over the club.

But despite their troubles off-the-pitch, Folkestone Invicta are exceeding all expectations and welcome struggling Chipstead to Cheriton Road at the weekend and sit seven points clear at the top of the Ryman League Division One South table at the halfway stage.

“That’s pleasing,” said Cugley, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight. “There’s still a lot of things to be sorted out on the pitch obviously.

“As I keep saying, I’m not into what’s going on as I don’t really know, but there’s still a lot of things to be sorted out. Keeping fingers crossed, they will get sorted out.

“Obviously we’re delighted that we’re that far ahead. It’s been a dream come true really. We’d never thought we’d be in this situation. I thought we weren’t a bad side but the players have been absolutely superb.”

Only one club, Croydon Athletic, who at this stage are sitting in fifth place in the table, can boast having cash to splash in the division.

And the current economic climate has meant that other clubs have had to work within their means.

“It’s not that bad,” said Cugley, “I think it’s good in some ways. I’ve said this to a couple of people. The football standard has been very, very, very good. Teams have come and tried to have a go and play football and I think because of the lack of finances I think teams have enjoyed it.

“Maybe sensibility has come back into football a little bit. You have to plug along and do the best you can, whatever league you’re in, play nice football.

“Not being big headed but I’ve been in non-league a long, long time and it’s going back to being more sensible I think.”

Cugley added: “To be fair to all clubs very few have come and put as many people behind the ball. They’ve come and have had a go, Walton & Hersham, Worthing, some of the top teams have all come (to Cheriton Road) and had a go.

Cugley, who said earlier in the season that his team will not be real title challengers, admits his squad have proved him wrong.

“They have proved me wrong, not in a nasty way,” said Cugley. “I suppose I’ve believed in them and thought they would be getting one off the last play-off places or something like that.

“To be fair, no disrespect to the players, there’s nobody there in the league with the finances, maybe only Croydon, to take the league apart.”

Chipstead have lost only one of their last six league games and as a result have climbed out of the relegation zone into 19th place, four points clear off the drop zone.

“Raring to go and looking forward to it big time,” said Cugley. “We’ve got three home games in a row so even better. It’s not only us that’s struggling a bit, but to have three games on the bounce is good news for us.

“We went to Chipstead and drew 0-0 away from home and we didn’t play very well. I think Jack (Delo) saved a penalty actually and I think they went bottom that night funnily enough.

“To be fair to the manager, Mark Tompkins, he’s got a few players in, turned it around and sneaking up the table a little bit.”

But the Folkestone faithful are looking forward to their home clash against local rivals Dover Athletic, who arrive at Cheriton Road in the second round of the Kent Senior Cup.

Looking forward to Tuesday night’s showdown against the Blue Square South high-flyers, Cugley said, “You look forward to any game against Dover. Hopefully we can get everybody up and enjoy the day.

“They sort of moan they’ve got a small squad but to us it seems a mammoth squad! Whatever side they put out will be a good team.

“It’s a big game and you look forward to playing against Dover. To be fair they’re getting back to what they were a few years ago and good luck to them.”

When asked if his club could follow in their neighbours footsteps, Cugley replied, “Never. I don’t think, unless some Russian piles in. It’s all about finances now and what you generate and whatever you’ve got behind you.”

Meanwhile, Cugley is proud of his squad’s suspension record, adding, “We don’t get suspensions. We’re very lucky. We’ve been brilliant that side of it to have no suspensions all season is unbelievable at this time of year.

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

Folkestone Invicta v Chipstead

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 23rd January 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 5JU