Folkestone squad begins to take shape

ON THE day that Folkestone Invicta announced five new signings and a major new sponsorship deal with HR GO Plc, manager Neil Cugley was able to confirm which members of last season's playing squad have committed themselves to playing at the Buzzlines Stadium next season, writes Tom Marchant.

Josh Burchell, James Corbett, Liam Dickson, James Everitt, Micheal Everitt, Liam Friend and Charlie Glyde have all agreed new deals with the Club for next season.

Cugley, speaking to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk said deals have been offered to Frankie Chappell, Ben Sly and Luke Stonebridge.

He said: “With Chaps it depends on which University he goes to and he's trying really hard to go to Canterbury. I spoke to him on Friday and he told me he doesn't want to leave, he loves the club and he's doing everything he can to stay at the cub.

“I met with Ben this week and he's moving away from the area but he is keen to stay at the club and we want him to stay. With matches and training twice a week travelling may be a bit of an issue for him but he has said he wants to give it a go.

“Luke is talking about going to America at the moment and we'll know soon about that but he's thinking maybe he should stay, unless he gets a very good scholarship offer out there.”

The Folkestone boss also hopes to retain the services of promising youngster Kieron Byrne who featured in the first team squad towards the end of last season, making the step up from the successful reserve side.

Whilst all of these youngsters at the Buzzlines Stadium have been offered terms for next season, if another club were looking to catch their signature, the club would be in a position to ask for a transfer fee.

Early indications suggest next season's back three could consist of Matt Bourne, Liam Friend and Frankie Chappell (dependent on the player being able to stay with the club), which would certainly form one of the strongest defensive units in the division.

The manager pointed out the versatility of Craig Wilkins could prove to be particularly important at the start of next season when Chappell serves a two match suspension.

Contract terms have not been offered to striker Lloyd Blackman but he has been invited back to pre season training, an invitation which Cugley hopes will be accepted by the former Welling United player although he said the forward is looking to go abroad.

Negotiations with goalkeeper Charlie Mitten, defender Samuel Kola Okikiolu and striker Leigh Bremner continue but hoped to be resolved in the near future.

With Cugley's well documented intentions of developing a squad based predominantly in the Kent region in order to minimise disruption to Tuesday and Thursday night training sessions, it would appear unlikely Kola will remain with the Ryman League Division One South club next season, although nothing has been confirmed by the manager.

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk