Cugley praises his troops for their support

FRANKIE CHAPPELL looks set to remain at Folkestone Invicta for the rest of the season, after an impressive three-month loan spell, writes Tom Marchant.

Chappell has signed dual registration forms with the Cheriton Road club and Blue Square South side Welling United.

The central defender’s pedigree shouldn’t be unknown to the majority of Folkestone fans after putting in a superb debut season at Cheriton Road after his release by Kent neighbours Gillingham.

The Wings then snapped him up at the end of last season but after not playing for the Park View Road outfit as regularly as he may have hoped, Seasiders boss Neil Cugley snapped him up on loan.

“We’ve spoken and he was very keen to stay down here after the three month period which we’re delighted with,” Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“We obviously didn’t begrudge him leaving last year for a higher standard of football and he lived in Welling at the time so it was a move that suited him well.

“He wasn’t a regular up there though and it suited both parties that he came on loan to us. Now we should hopefully have him until the end of the season and he’s certainly a player you would want for longer, if and when we get things sorted out off the field.

“He’s everything we want about a player; young, enthusiastic and he will only get better as we go along. To be fair, him, Liam (Friend) and Dicko have been outstanding at the back alongside Burchy and Ratty. They’re all young and give us a great balance in defence and they’re all determined to do well for Folkestone Invicta. That’s one area of the pitch we haven’t got to worry about.”

Canterbury based Chappell comes down to Cheriton Road with goalkeeper Jack Delo who also lives in the area.

This weekend’s trip to Metropolitan Police – only four points off the league leaders (who do have three matches in hand) – will prove another big test for the Seasiders.

But Invicta should be buoyed by their strong performances against some of the ‘better’ sides in the League this season, including against Sittingbourne where they outperformed Gary Abbott’s men and were unfortunate to only come away with a point at the beginning of the year.

“We’re going to have to work hard to get a result against a good side who we knew would be up there and who we’re sure will be in the play offs at the end of the season,” said Cugley.

“The only side that isn’t up there that we thought would be is ourselves!”

The match this Saturday will also reunite Folkestone with two of their summer signings who were released last year; former captain and right wing back Lee Gledhill and centre half Nick Humphrey.

Both performed consistently well for the Seasiders although the latter was a sure contender for player of the season and along with Invicta’s in form Jimmy Jackson, was arguably Cugley’s best summer signing.

“It will be good to see them and they were both good lads and very understanding about the position we got in,” said Cugley. “They were both contracted players but they never made a fuss, we shook hands when they left and there was no bitterness towards the Club.

“Things have changed since those departures and what we did show on Saturday against Godalming is that we’ve got a great mix of players now who like playing for the Club.

“I thought Jimmy Jackson was outstanding again at the weekend and he is such a big part of what we’re trying to do with the youngsters who can learn so much off the likes of him and Smithy (Darren Smith).

“Both of them are very good with the younger lads and you can’t stress how important that is. You can’t do it with just younger lads and we need those experienced heads about.

“We need to kick it on together, save the Club, stay in this league for next season and then I can be left to get on with my job of getting a side out on obviously a reduced budget but which can compete and aim for the play offs – that has got to be the only aim otherwise there’s no point.”

Folkestone go into the weekend clash injury free although Chappell and Kieron Byrne are both suspended. This reduces Cugley’s already restricted options, particularly with the reserves due to play at home on Saturday.

However, the manager does have Josh Vincent and Joe Neilson along with Billy Swallow ’s return to fitness. The gaffer is likely to decide after training on Thursday who will replace the suspended pair, but Vincent and Neilson would appear obvious replacements.

Against The Met, Invicta will need to be ruthless in front of goal as chances are likely to be at a premium.

“Yet again against Godalming we didn’t take our chances and it was a game we should’ve won comfortably so it’s a problem,” admitted Cugley.

“We hit the post twice, the bar once, their keeper has made a couple of good saves and if you don’t get a second goal, if you don’t finish teams off then they come back at you.

“To be fair they got two good goals but we’re still disappointed in that we didn’t get the three points to make it three wins out of four to put which would have put us right up there. But on the positive side, we can’t be disappointed with how we’re playing.

The playing surface at Cheriton Road has been in impeccable condition this season, a feat all the more impressive in view of the recent weather conditions. The Invicta boss paid tribute to goalkeeping coach and groundsman Gary Towse for his efforts on the pitch.

And Cugley said, “Garry Towse has done a superb job on the pitch as well as our goalkeeping coach he is chief driver for away games. I’m privileged to have such good people around me. Micky Dix does a great job alongside me and he is very enthusiastic and popular with the lads and his plumbing skills come in handy. Then we’ve got two physios I’m very lucky to have in Dave Williams and young Joe Denby.

“Despite everything else going on my backroom staff have kept things really enjoyable and have been very supportive of me and the Club. Their work is greatly appreciated and what they do regularly goes far beyond their normal duties.”

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Metropolitan Police v Folkestone Invicta
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 7^th January 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Metropolitan Police (Imber Court) Sports Club, Ember Lane, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0BT