Folkestone Invicta unveil striker Carl Rook as first summer signing

Monday 25th May 2015

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley has unveiled striker Carl Rook as his first summer signing.

Rook, 32, finished last season at Cray Wanderers, who maintained their Ryman League Division One North status thanks to a club record ten wins on the spin.

Folkestone Invicta finished runners-up to Burgess Hill Town in the Ryman League Division One South last season, but were defeated 3-0 by Merstham in the play-off final at Cheriton Road to continue the club's play-off woe.



SIGNED: Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley welcomes striker Carl Rook to Cheriton Road.
Photo: Folkestone Invicta FC


Cugley revealed that Rook will fill the void left by Paul Booth, who decided to drop down one division to play for Southern Counties East Football League side Tunbridge Wells.

Cugley told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “We’ve need more experience since Paul Booth left last Christmas and Carl is a player I’ve always admired.

“We were within a few hours of signing a few years ago – but he eventually opted to go to Dover.  We’re not going to hold that against him, though!

“He’s taller than me, so must be about six-three! He’s good in the air and the kind of target man we’ve not had for a while.

“That doesn’t mean we’re just going to lump, but I’m sure he’ll easily fit into our style.

The striker was playing for Leatherhead in the Ryman Premier League last season before a short spell with Cray Wanderers under his former Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow.

Rook left Horsham to join Tonbridge Angels after AFC Wimbledon snapped up Jon Main from Longmead Stadium back in 2007.

Rook signs for Folkestone on a one-year agreement while Cugley is hoping to complete his second close season signing in the next few days with a full-back-midfielder.

Cugley revealed that Rook will partner another ex-Leatherhead striker Ian Draycott – who scored 43 goals last season – in Folkestone’s forward line next season.

“Carl gives us a different option and with Draycs up there alongside they’ll be a handful for any defence.”

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