Cugley explains Piper's departure

Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley, who takes his side to Heybridge Swifts tomorrow looking to keep their impressive away form going, has explained the situation behind David Piper’s departure from the Ryman Premier League club.

Whitstable resident Piper, 29, signed for the Cheriton Road club in July from Blue Square South outfit Bognor Regis Town, where he was captain, but has this week signed for Ryman League Division One South Burgess Hill Town.

"What happened was he obviously left Bognor, sat down with me and said he wanted one more year to play at the highest standard, but he’s found he just can’t give the commitment required to do all the training,” Cugley explained to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“With the (Ryman Premier) League getting so strong, players have to put a lot into it and he just felt he couldn’t do that.

“He’s gone to Burgess Hill, a league below, with not quite the same intensity as our league and we thank him for all he’s done because he’s a great lad and was really easy to get on with.

“I’m not in a rush at the moment to bring in anyone else. We’ve got a squad of 16-17 players who are all focused to do well for the club.

“They played excellently (at Tonbridge) as a team and we also had a good bench - so I’m happy with the sixteen we’ve got.

“If we get an injury or two now then we’d be back to where we were last year with nothing on the bench but that’s not going to happen with the strength of the League as here is money if I chat to the board, if I ever need it.”

Article courtesy of Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Heybridge Swifts v Folkestone Invicta
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 8^th September 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Scraley Road, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex CM9 8JA