Cugley releases contracted striker as "things are a bit tight" at Folkestone

Losing to Welling United in the last round of the FA Cup has forced Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley to release former Dover Athletic and Welling United striker Matt Carruthers.

Carruthers arrived at the Buzzlines Stadium club along with the since departed defender Lee Shearer from Nationwide Conference side Welling United last season, with defender John Guest moving in the opposite direction.

Cugley explained to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk why he has released Carruthers. He said: “We had our Shareholder’s meeting on Tuesday and things are a bit tight at the moment and really we’re pleased with the forwards we’ve got especially as Paul Jones and Ellis Remy are working well together, and we have Walid (Matata) getting fitter on the bench too.”

“Matt was one of the higher earners at the club and I felt it was the time to mutually agree to let him go.

“We left on good terms and to be fair to Matt he was on contract and so he could have easily just stayed at the club and collected his wages but he agreed it was the right time to move on so there are no recriminations”.

However, the impressive progress of the younger players in Cugley’s squad also had a bearing on the decision to release Carruthers.

Cugley said: “The other obvious reason why we let Matt go was because we didn’t feel we were getting value for money and Ben Sly has done really well when he’s come on and I feel that since he’s getting a run in the team, he should have a few more opportunities to play from the subs bench.

“The local lads are very passionate about playing for their club and Matt’s thirty now and he’s been around a few clubs and we just felt we would get more from a nineteen year old local lad who wants to play for his town.”

The release of striker Carruthers has also seen the in-form Paul Jones being taken off the transfer list.

Cugley confirmed: “Well because of his (Jones) performances we feel he’s giving the team a lot now especially alongside Ellis (Remy).

“He went on the transfer list because we couldn’t afford four strikers at the time but it was ironic Matt Carruthers got injured and it allowed Jonesy to have his chance in the team and he has done well”.

Finances will inevitably dictate whether the club has the capacity to bring in or release any more players and the situation with Gillingham player Luke Howell is being continuously assessed.

Cugley added: “We’re just waiting on that one to see how our finances go and if we need him (Howell). But he’s at a professional club and it’s completely different to non league in that if you’re injured you will get fit a lot quicker, so if he does come to us he will be fit and raring to go. I’m afraid it’s something that is just ongoing at the moment.”

Folkestone Invicta, who have won their last three league games, welcome Hendon to the Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road next Monday (7:45pm).

Visit Folkestone Invicta's website:  www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk