Folkestone Invicta appoint Neil Cugley as their head of football development after 26 years' in the managers hotseat at Cheriton Road

FOLKESTONE INVICTA have announced that the legendary Neil Cugley has been appointed head of football development at the club.

 

The 65-year-old dropped a bombshell by stepping down as manager on 26 October after 26 years in charge at Cheriton Road and his assistant, Roland Edge and player-coach Micheal Everitt were appointed joint-managers.

The pair have taken charge of four games, beating Horsham 2-0 in The FA Trophy First Round, thrashing Faversham Town 5-0 in the Velocity Cup but they have lost twice in the Isthmian League Premier Division, 3-0 at Haringey Borough and 3-2 at Lewes last night.

Folkestone Invicta are sixth-from-bottom in the league table with 14 points from their 13 league games, five points clear of the relegation zone.

“We have had a high turnover of players than usual for this season, with several new faces, and it takes time and patience to bed new players into the club and what formation best suits their abilities,” said a club statement issued before last night’s game at Lewes.

“This takes time and patience but our new joint head coaches, Roland Edge and Micheal Everitt, are working tirelessly with the players, to produce the results we all want.

“Neil Cugley will move up to become head of football development after 26 years as first-team manager.  We have gratefully accepted Neil’s generous offer to work without pay.

“It was an obvious choice to promote Roland and Micheal to joint head coaches. Both are highly experienced coaches and will bring a fresh approach to the playing side.  Both are Folkestone Invicta through and through and are totally committed to producing the success the club deserves.

“We are a football club first and foremost and everything we do is designed to produce success on the field. Our loyal supporters expect no less.”

The statement added: “Behind the scenes, Neil’s new role means he has more time to pursue discussions with potential investors and people wishing the become involved with the club. These are active discussions, but they take time and patience.

“Behind the scenes, despite the extensive improvements and financial investment carried out to the ground in the last couple of years, we are actively pursuing possibilities to further improve the stadium.  These involve grants, so take some time, but we are always looking at ways to make the stadium better for spectators and visitors.

“Off-the-field we must run the business side of the club, which is an ever-growing task but ensures stability off-the-field and gives the club the best chance of continuing to move forward.

“While we look for other interested parties Bob Dix and Jim Pellatt will continue as directors with Jim Pellatt stepping in as chairman.

“We wouldn’t have become the club we are today without all your support and the tireless work of our many volunteers and officials.  We thank you all and every one of us are working tirelessly to bring the club the success on the field our club deserves.”

Bottom three side Brightlingsea Regent, meanwhile, visit Cheriton Road on Saturday (15:00).

Folkestone Invicta and Wingate & Finchley are both outside the relegation zone after last night's games.

Bowers & Pitsea (nine points from 13 games), Brightlingsea Regent (nine from 14), Herne bay (eight from 14) and Corinthian-Casuals (eight from 14) are in the relegation zone.

Herne Bay boss Ben Smith and his assistant manager Ben Brown stepped down at the weekend after losing 3-2 at Corinthian-Casuals, while interim manager Michael West said last night that he hopes chairman Stuart Fitchie appoints a manager in the next week or so after losing 3-2 at home to Carshalton Athletic.

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