We'll cause Rebels problems, says Cugley

FOLKESTONE INVICTA make the trip to Woodside Road to take on promotion hopefuls Worthing on Saturday and manager Neil Cugley has completely revamped his squad to challenge in the upper reaches of the division, writes Tom Marchant.

“It’ll set out where we’re going and they’re one of the better sides in the Division,” Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“They’ve always been a fairly big club with a nice catchment area for players. I know they finished off ever so well last year and they’ll be pushing again this season to be up there again.

“We go down there and get a result and we know we’re getting somewhere and we can set out our stall. Sometimes you wish you had an easier one but Worthing away is going to be one of the hardest games in the League so it’ll be good to see what our players are about.”

Worthing finished last season in fifth position and lost to Tooting and Mitcham 1-0 in the play off semi final. Tooting then went on to defeat Metropolitan Police 2-0 in the play off final to join Dover Athletic on gaining promotion to the Ryman Premier League.

The team news for Folkestone this weekend is upbeat and aside from Lee Spiller (suspension), Cugley should have no fresh injury concerns to contend with.

“Lee obviously brought a suspension with him from another club and whilst it’s frustrating for both of us we have to get on with it and we’ve got options in the middle now,” said Cugley.

“At the start of pre season it was Lee that came to us and he told me “I’m going to make you sign me”. He proved himself with his attitude and the way he’s played and he’s trained hard and I can’t fault him at all. That’s why we’ve given him a contract and it’s easy for these players to just sign on and take the money and I know he could’ve got more elsewhere, but he wants to be here. He has been a great help in trying to get players in as well.”

As reported last Sunday, striker Craig Wilkins undergoes a knee operation tonight after the last one didn’t prove as successful as first envisaged. Wilkins is set to return to add a formidable presence to the Invicta strike force in four to five weeks time.

The Invicta manager has today snapped up striker Andy Pugh on loan for a month from Coca Cola League Two outfit Gillingham.

Goalkeeper Charlie Mitten (calf), Matt Bourne (groin), Micheal Everitt (back) and James Corbett (Achilles) are all expected to report for full training tonight and Cugley anticipates all four players being fully fit to take their places in the squad in west Sussex.

“With so many people coming in and so many going it has been a bit hectic pre season and players themselves are trying to find the strengths and weaknesses of those around them, and that’s important and it takes a bit of time,” he said.

“In training this week we’ll be working hard to get it right and I think lately we’ve been playing more football than we’ve done for a few years; we’re trying to get it down, play the right way and we’ve just got to stop conceding unnecessary goals.”

The Folkestone boss remained coy when asked his team selection for Saturday with the midfield berths in particular remaining up for grabs where the manager has an array of possibilities. Jimmy Jackson, the Everitt brothers, weekend signing Bryon Walker and James Corbett will all seemingly be competing for the three places in the centre of the park.

Cugley has already named his captain, with impressive summer signing Lee Gledhill set to wear the armband.

“I’d say I’m nearly there on selecting the side although I’ve just got to wait on this forward I’m trying to get in to play up with Jimmy. The midfield lads is where it’s a dilemma and it’s picking who’s going to do the job for us on Saturday."

Meanwhile, earlier in the week chairman Jim Pellatt stepped down from his position with immediate effect.

This means that both Gordon Wallis and Mr Pellatt have both stood down from the role during the pre-season period.

In a statement, issued on www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk, Mr Pellatt explained why he’s stepped down at the Cheriton Road club.

He said: "You are all aware that I was asked to hold over as Chairman of Folkestone Invicta Football Club, at the last Shareholders meeting.

“I took it on at a very difficult time, and at a moments notice, but within days felt a more optimistic mood returning.

“My immediate aim was to improve the atmosphere at the Club, put progress on the field at the top of our priority, and remove talk of Boardroom unrest.

“Unfortunately, the articles and comment of the last few days, have, to our detriment, put the Boardroom and our unity, in question, and back on the agenda.

“To me, a settled and happy Folkestone Invicta Football Club has the best possible chance of starting the climb back up the Leagues.

“Our media focus has to be about progress on the field of play, not individuals off it. Of course it makes fascinating reading, but I doubt it helps us perform better on the field of play. Any energy, negative or positive, transmits itself the the manager and players.

“In light of the above, the prevailing situation, and for purely personal reasons, I have decided to step down as Chairman with immediate effect. I trust that my successor will be able to maintain and advance the progress made during my two years here, latterly as Chairman.

“Firstly, and most importantly, I wish the supporters, staff and players of Folkestone Invicta Football Club, every success in the future.

“Secondly, I offer my thanks to those who have maintained their support to me and my work on behalf of the club."

Supporters Club Chairman Clive Arnold said that like the the majority of Invicta fans are, shocked to hear of the news.

"It has come as a massive shock to us all." he said. "We were just starting to build a very close relationship with Jim, with some good ideas coming from both sides, both the Board and the Supporters Club.

“In an ideal world, yes, I do really want Jim to stay. We had some good plans for the future, and I just hope the board can twist his arm as he had the makings of an extremely good Chairman."

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Worthing v Folkestone Invicta
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 16^th August 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Woodside Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 7HQ