Cugley praises his young fab back four

Monday 24th August 2009

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley says his side’s unbeaten start to the new season is all down to the maturity of his young back four, writes Stephen McCartney.

Cugley’s charges are sitting in fourth place in the Ryman League Division One South table, having played Dulwich Hamlet (0-0), Eastbourne Town (2-1) and they came away from much-fancied Fleet Town with a hard-fought 1-0 win on Saturday, courtesy of Frankie Chappell’s early match winner.

“We’ve thought they would be difficult games, so we are really pleased,” Cugley told www.kentishfootball.co.uk at lunchtime today.

“We had Dulwich, not a bad side, and then go to Eastbourne on a Wednesday is not easy, and obviously Fleet are a good side to win there was really pleasing.

“I spoke to Jim Ward (the Ramsgate manager) about Fleet and he said he felt he was a bit lucky (to beat them 1-0) and we’re a bit similar really.

“Fleet are a good side and it was one of those nice days to get in front fairly early on. Even though they bombarded us, we defended ever so well and they didn’t cause too many problems.”

Having conceded just one goal in 270 minutes of football, Cugley was quick to praise his back-four.

“We’ve got a very young back four, but they really have matured very well,” said Cugley.

“Liam Friend, Frankie Chappell and the two Josh’s, Vincent and Burchell, to be fair, as a four they’ve played very well in the games.

“Dulwich and the sort of games we’ve had, I don’t think we expected that many points. It’s pleasing (but) I don’t look at the table (so early into a season) but it’s nice to be at the top rather than the bottom isn’t it?”

Cugley is looking forward to meeting two of his players, Mark Munday and Paul Lamb - Whitstable Town’s new management team - at Cheriton Road on Tuesday night.

“They’re run by Mark Munday and Paul Lamb, two top lads,” said Cugley.

“I was lucky enough to have them under my managerial-ship for a couple of years. They are really good lads.

“I think it’s a good appointment by the Whitstable people, they’re both honest lads and good non-league people.”

When asked that Munday and Lamb would like to get one over their former boss, Cugley replied, “They do, I suppose. I’ve been doing it a long time and it shows how they’ve come on and come into management and prove a point really that’s only right.

“We’ll talk before the game and have a drink after. As I’ve said, they’re two really good lads.”

Now that things are looking bright both on and off the pitch at Cheriton Road, Cugley urges fans to flock through the turnstiles for tomorrow night’s Kent derby.

“Obviously the things going on within the club it’s been a very strange sort of atmosphere with the fans wondering what’s going on and if we’re going to survive and that,” said Cugley.

“It’s been difficult for them (but) it’s nice to take many people down to Fleet and hope we have not a bad crowd tomorrow.

“If doesn’t look like we’ll lose ten points. Once the football starts everyone gets a little bit more focused and hopefully things are slowly getting sorted out.”

The club issued a statement last week, insisting “we will indeed survive!”

The long standing issues with the Inland Revenue have not gone away, but the board is now much more upbeat about prospects.

Director Nigel Busbridge feels that things are looking up.

"The Revenue saga has been stressful for everyone including the supporters, and for those of us running our own successful businesses it has been quite a learning curve to have to deal with a business on the verge of insolvency,” Mr Busbridge said in a statement issued to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

"We now understand much more clearly what the options are, and there seems to be a willingness on the part of HMRC to help us find a solution that allows Invicta to continue."

The club held a meeting last week, which created a new steering group to co-ordinate the recovery effort.

The group comprises current directors Bob Dix, Brian Merryman and Mr Busbridge, plus prospective new directors Mark Jenner and Lynn Woods, with club secretary Neil Pilcher, Team Manager Cugley, supporters club chairman Clive Arnold and former directors Andy Ingleston and Jim Pellatt all closely involved.

First move was to lift the embargo on season ticket sales and to reinvigorate the club's marketing efforts.

Lynn Woods commented on the teamwork approach: "It's vital that we play to all our strengths and talents in getting the club on the right path, and last week's meeting was a very encouraging first step."

Mr Dix underlined that the team spirit excludes no-one. "It's there for all to see that we are a team on the pitch, now we need to play to our strengths off it as well".

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game with Mike Green reporting from Cheriton Road. Mike will also bring updates on BBC Radio Kent 774am during the Gillingham v Blackburn Rovers game.

Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvicta.co,uk

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Folkestone Invicta v Whitstable Town

Ryman League Division One South

Tuesday 25th August 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU