We're desperate to get back in action, says Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley

FOLKESTONE INVICTA’s frustration and their enforced inactivity may well stretch into a three week as other parts of Britain continue to suffer more than they have done down on the Kent coast.



Invicta’s thoughts have inevitably been dominated by the storm damage to their main stand and the need to get the ground made safe again as soon as possible.

Work at Cheriton Road is expected to begin soon as the club targets their scheduled game against Ryman League newcomers Guernsey on January 18 as their first home match since before Christmas.

Before that, however, Neil Cugley’s side have two scheduled fixtures on the road - at Merstham on Saturday and down in Sussex against Eastbourne Town next Wednesday, 15 January.

Merstham have not played since beating Redhill 3-2 on December 28 at Moatside and have been desperately short of football in the last two months.

Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “We’re desperate to get back in action, but we can’t do anything about the weather so there’s no use in worrying about it.”

Midfielder Michael Yianni is progressing following a knee operation two weeks ago, but other than that, Frankie Chappell is Cugley’s only doubt.

The three games they have lost to the weather since Boxing Day have given the centre back longer to recover from the thigh strain he suffered early in the first half of Folkestone’s 8-0 thrashing of Crawley Down Gatwick on December 21.

“We’ll see how Frank is, but I understand that he’s almost there,” revealed Cugley.

Folkestone lost three times to Merstham last season - only avoiding defeat in a goalless FA Trophy tie at Cheriton Road that they lost 2-0 in the replay.

But the Moatside outfit appear to be having a more difficult time this season and are currently nine places and 12 points below Folkestone at sixteenth in the Ryman League Division One South table.

Players who may be known to Invicta fans are ex-Bromley midfielder Tutu Henriques - and winger Liam Wright who hit a cracking winning goal for Crawley Down Gatwick as they came from 2-0 down to defeat Folkestone 3-2 on the opening day of this season.

Meanwhile, council officers met with contractors and Folkestone Invicta FC officials at the stadium on Tuesday and have agreed measures to make the storm-hit main stand safe.

Invicta’s ground has been closed and both the football club and nearby Three Hills Centre have been unable to function normally since gales lifted the roof off Invicta’s Wilf Armory Stand in the early hours of December 23.

High winds were still gusting around the Cheriton Road Sportsground as Tuesday’s meeting took place, but calmer weather seems to have settled in overnight, giving genuine cause for optimism all round.

As Invicta’s landlords, Shepway District Council and chosen contractors Goody Demolition from Aylesham are now hopeful of starting the work needed on the stand before the end of this week.

And by working through the weekend if necessary it is anticipated that the job will take three to four days to complete.

Folkestone Invicta Chairman Mark Jenner said: “A small area of covered roof may be left at each end (of the stand) so those of us who like to sit under cover may be able to cosy up for the next match.”

If the work is successful Invicta’s next scheduled home match - against first-time visitors Guernsey from the Channel Islands - on Saturday, 18 January, has every chance of going ahead. Weather permitting, of course!

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

Merstham  v  Folkestone Invicta
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 11^th January 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Moatside Stadium, Weldon Way, Merstham, Surrey RH1 3QB