Folkestone Invicta: Until we know whether we can resume within a reasonable time after this lockdown ends, it is difficult to asses right now the prospect of completing a full season

FOLKESTONE INVICTA officials have asked season ticket holders to be patient as the club enters a second National Lockdown.

 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has imposed a lockdown from today until Wednesday 2 December 2020 and only football in the Premier League, EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, National League, National League North and National League South can be played but behind closed doors.

This weekend’s FA Cup First Round ties are going ahead but behind the closed doors, while clubs like Folkestone Invicta, who compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division, have been banned from playing and training during this period.

Neil Cugley’s side beat Hornchurch 2-1 at Cheriton Road on Tuesday night, courtesy of Josh Vincent’s stunning volley and Ian Draycott’s 90^th minute winner, watched in front of a crowd of 508 at Cheriton Road.

Isthmian League Premier Division sides could attract crowds of 600 to their stadiums pre-lockdown, while 400 could watch the level below and 300 could attend games in the Southern Counties East Football League and other Step Five and Six League's.

A club statement said: “We would like to thank everyone at the club for the tremendous amount of hard work and ingenuity put in by volunteers in making the ground safe for supporters and visitors, putting in place at very short notice online ticketing and selling match-day tickets out of our clubhouse, plus getting our two bars up and running and safe for all.

“Season ticket holders can be assured we are mindful that they have paid
for a full season’s matches but until we know whether we can resume within a reasonable time after this lockdown ends, it is difficult to asses right now the prospect of completing a full season.

“As soon as the position becomes clearer we will notify everyone.  In the meantime, we would ask you to be patient. As soon as we know, so will you.

“The support and gate numbers we have achieved since resuming has been outstanding and we thank every one of you.

“We are sure you all felt rewarded by the terrific performance of the team on Tuesday night in a very exciting and competitive match. It was the stuff of dreams.  It makes us all the more impatient to resume.  Please look after yourself and yours and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.

“All online ticket sales from the Corinthian-Casuals and Carshalton Athletic games have now been refunded.”

The club go into lockdown sitting in eleventh-place in the table with 13 points from nine games – a couple of points adrift of the play-offs and eight points adrift of leaders Worthing.

Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk