Cugley makes plans for next season

Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley is already making squad preparations for next season, with contract negotiations currently in progress, writes Andy Bown and Tom Marchant - www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

“We hope to be able to make an announcement within the next seven to ten days. We’re very pleased that some of the players have resigned for next season and we’re delighted at the moment with how the talks are going,” said Cugley

He said that the process doesn’t usually create many problems at Invicta with the only hurdle having being financial in a few cases in recent years.

“In previous years the club hasn’t kicked on as much as the players have wanted it to kick on which has caused us to lose a few lads. I think the players now know we’re trying to make real progress and that we want to finish the season well, but obviously we want to gear everything towards a play-off push next year”.

The Folkestone boss has a fair idea of the playing budget he will have at his disposal next season. Cugley said: “A lot of people at the club in the last few years have worked really hard to clear the debts and now we can push on and in the future invest a bit more in the playing side”.

He also remarked how crucial it is that all shareholders continue to re-invest to sustain the club. This is because if the share option is successful, then more can be invested into the playing side at the beginning of next season when the full financial situation for the forthcoming season is apparent.

The Invicta squad have trained on the Cheriton Road pitch this week, which has been rolled in preparation for the visit of Windsor and Eton to the Buzzlines Stadium this Saturday (4th February). This made a big difference to the training session enabling the players to work on shooting, crossing and general passing, which all went well.

Striker Paul Jones who couldn’t play a part (due to a groin injury) in Folkestone’s 2-0 win at home to Maldon Town on Monday night, didn’t train. “He’ll be doubtful, he didn’t train yesterday and it’s unlikely he’ll play,” said Cugley.

The rest of the squad is fit, with the fitness of Micheal Everitt improving well after his recent ankle injury. Centre back Adam Flannagan won’t feature against Windsor as he is serving the last game of his three match suspension after being sent off at Billericay Town.

Saturday’s opponents have lost their last eleven away matches, conceding 31 goals and scoring 8. Cugley feels though that this away record could have an influence on Saturday, adding: “Obviously their record away isn’t very strong and we’re hopeful of picking up 3 points. But as I’ve said before we can’t take any team for granted in this league. We’re the favourites though and we’ve got to go out and show that”.

Chief Scout Richard Langley hasn’t provided an analysis on the opposition but Neil explained, “We haven’t had Windsor watched because we’ve recently played them and we know quite a lot about them. The last few games we’ve tried to get at teams a lot earlier and this isn’t going to change Saturday”.

Windsor and Eton have recently signed Emond Protain who featured in Yeading’s championship win last season and played against Newcastle United in the F.A Cup third round last year at Loftus Road, home of Queens Park Rangers. He has started three games so far this season at right back, making his debut in January against Worthing – a game which his side won 2-1 at home with top scorer (on 9 goals) forward Adam Wallace getting both goals.

Actor Ralph Little who has starred in such BBC comedies as ‘The Royle Family’ playing Anthony and in ‘Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps’ as Jonny, recently signed for Windsor in December 2005 from Chertsey Town. The left back made his debut in a 3-0 defeat at home to rivals Slough Town, who Windsor ground share with. Cugley said: “He’s (Little) a funny a man and we just hope he’s not laughing after the game!”.

Little has played at Cheriton Road before, appearing in a celebrity side at a charity event.

The reverse fixture in December resulted in a 1-0 victory for Windsor at Stag Meadow, with Jon Case scoring in the 78th minute. The team have scored the fewest goals in the Ryman Premier, putting away 18 goals.

Folkestone Invicta v Windsor & Eton
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 4^th February 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone